Alpha Phi Alpha was founded in the year 1906 and is the first intercollegiate Greek-letter organization for African American fraternity at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its mission is to develop leaders, promoting academic excellence and brotherhood while providing service and advocacy for their communities.
The founders laid a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha’s principles of scholarship, good character, fellowship, and the upliftment of humanity.
Its official magazine is The Sphinx and contains information and inspiration on a wide range of topics such as politics, education, achievement of brothers and is the voice of the brotherhood of the fraternity. Sphinx Radio is the official podcast, and the official Video Network of the Fraternity is Sphinx TV.
Requirements To Join
A male student can be presented as a candidate for membership in a college chapter if he:
- Attends a college where an active chapter is located. (Individuals who attend online university cannot avail of membership. Membership is open for individuals attending a school where an active chapter seat is located.)
- The individual has a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0-grade point scale, except where the minimum grade required by the college for graduation is greater than the minimum grade for graduation must be used for eligibility.
- The candidate has successfully completed one semester or two-quarters of a regular year’s program.
- Is a full-time student enrolled for his first academic degree
- The candidate is of good character.
- Is Registered to vote if eligible and qualified.
- One active (financial) member sponsors the candidate.
- An active member in good standing recommends the candidate.
For more information about the membership intake process, kindly contact the Alpha Phi Alpha’s chapter office on your campus.
How To Join
There are two types of Alpha Phi Alpha memberships:
- College Membership
- Alumni Membership
Collegiate Membership- A candidate can join Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity as a member by applying for membership at a chapter on their campus. For applying for collegiate membership, the candidate must be an undergraduate student at a four-year college or university.
Alumna Membership- The candidates who graduate and have earned a degree from a fully accredited four-year college or university can join the fraternity as an alumna. The candidates who aspire to join as alumna are advised to join chapters within a 60-mile radius from their permanent residence.
The Membership Intake Processes of all chapters shall conform to the rules and regulation set forth by Standing Orders, the Constitution and By-laws.
How Much It Costs To Join
Listed below are the application fees on the basis of classification according to a candidate’s official transcript.
Alumni $1,426
College Freshman $1,336
College Senior $1,111
College Junior $1,186
College Sophomore $1,261
The fees include a $325.00 non-refundable application processing fee, a fee of $60 for a non-refundable background check, intake assessment, initiation fee, grand tax (membership fee), National Housing and Building Assessment, Alpha Phi Alpha’s Constitution and By-Laws copy, shingle (membership certificate), Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the official History book of Alpha Phi Alpha, Sphinx pin, fraternity pin, passcard (identification of membership), Alpha blazer and shipping and handling fees.
The Cluster Fees is non-refundable. If a candidate is rejected or he removes himself during the IDMP process, then chapter fees and regional fees are subject to refund.
- Cluster Fees- It includes costs of food, ceremonies and ritual essentials and paper copies.
- Regional Fees- It supports an individual’s participation within the region of his intended chapter of membership.
- Chapter Fees- It includes the membership dues of a candidate’s intended chapter of membership.
The candidate should work in close cooperation with his sponsor to obtain the amount before the process begins.