School Fees and Expenses

ASCSA policy on individual membership fees and benefits for members of Cooperating Institutions

The fees associated with ASCSA membership (Regular, Student Associate, Senior Associate) will be assessed according to the amount of time an individual spends at the School’s facilities. Membership during the academic year (September-May) does not extend into the summer months. If an individual requests a full year of membership (12 consecutive months), the total fee will be for 10 months. This discount is in recognition of the numerous Greek and American holidays and low periods of activity at the School during a full calendar year. In assessing fees for stays shorter than a full month, the School prorates its monthly fees on an incremental basis. Furthermore, the fee scale is related to status (senior vs. student) and institutional affiliation.

Different rates apply to students, faculty, and graduates of Cooperating Institutions of the ASCSA than those from non-affiliated institutions. Faculty, students and former students of Cooperating Institutions pay only one-half the fees for use of the facilities of the School in Greece. Please note that if you graduated with any degree level from a Cooperating Institution, you are considered a “member” of a Cooperating Institution.

ASCSA Monthly Fee Scale: Individual Membership

Membership fees at the American School are $220 per month for Student Members and Senior Members without secure employment, and $360 for Senior Members with secure employment (for people not affiliated with a Cooperating Institution). 

Senior Associate Members are typically Ph.D. holders.
Student Associate and Regular Members are graduate students.

Fees for Senior and Student members not affiliated with a Cooperating Institution

• 1-17 days: Half monthly fee

                   - Senior (secure employment): $180.00

                   - Senior (insecure employment): $110.00

                   - Student: $110.00

• 18-30 or 31 days: Full monthly fee

                   - Senior (secure employment): $360.00

                   - Senior (insecure employment): $220.00

                   - Student: $220.00

Discounted Fees for Senior and Student members affiliated with a Cooperating Institution

• 1-17 days: One-quarter monthly fee

​                    - Senior (secure employment): $90.00 

                    -Senior (insecure employment): $55.00 

                    -Student: $55.00

• 18-30/31 days: Half monthly fee

                   - Senior (secure employment): $180.00

                   - Senior (insecure employment): $110.00

                   - Student: $110.00

Effective September 1, 2024, change in fee structure: The ASCSA begins a 3-year pilot program for a significant decrease in fees for contingent faculty and independent scholars ($55 decrease from $165 to $110/month) and a small increase in fees for those with secure employment ($15 increase from $165 to $180/month). There will be no change in graduate student fees ($110/month). The new fee structure begins September 1, 2024 and ends August 31, 2027 (unless otherwise noted).

Wiener Laboratory Bench Fees

Bench fees are required for all research projects undertaken at the Wiener Laboratory, excluding those undertaken by Wiener Laboratory fellows, Research Associates, or as otherwise provided. The bench fee is levied to cover the additional costs related to basic consumables, equipment and materials not included in the School Fees and Expenses. For rates and further details, please see the Bench Fees on the Wiener Laboratory Research Page.

Individual Members enjoy the following benefits:

• The School welcomes any scholar, regardless of department, whose research is relevant to the mission of the ASCSA. (NB: Every individual must submit an online application via the ASCSA website whenever they intend to use the facilities of the School.)
• Assistance from the School in applying for or renewing a Greek residence permit. Members must pay all involved fees. (Assistance with residence permits is limited to those holding membership for a period of at least 90 days)
• Assistance from the School in requesting individual study permits from the Greek Ministry of Culture (minimum one month of membership). For more information, link here.
• An entrance pass for archaeological sites and museums, issued by the Greek Ministry of Culture; the card is valid for three years. (Entrance cards are secured only for those with bona fide membership at the School, i.e. for a period of at least one month) 
• 24/7 access to the Blegen Library and a personal workspace within it, as well as use of the School’s computer lab (with payment of membership fees).
• A School key that grants access to the main grounds and gardens of the School, the main building holding the Blegen Library, and Loring Hall (deposit required).
• Residence in Loring Hall when space permits (subject to room fees).
• Loring Hall services (subject to fees when applicable): meals, tea, ouzo, use of the saloni, etc. (NB: The laundry facilities are limited to residents staying in Loring Hall.)
• Access to Agora and Corinth facilities and collections.
• Use of a member’s lounge, kitchen facility, and a locker (deposit required for the key) in the main School building.
• Use of school grounds (e.g., gardens, tennis court, outside grill).
• Discount on individual School membership fees (see above), if from a Cooperating Institution.

Room and Board (members only)

Loring Hall, the School’s residence facility, is open for occupancy during the entire academic year, from early September through early June. During the months of June, July, and August a limited number of rooms are available. (Note that there are no meals served in August.)  Rooms are only available for Members of the School.  Priority for housing in Loring Hall is given to Fellows of the School and participants in the School’s Regular Program. Rooms not allotted to Fellows and Regular Members are available for occupancy by any other Member of the School under payment of additional fees for housing membership. Minimum residency is one week, and breakfast is included in the room fee. Most rooms are for single occupancy and include private bathrooms: double rooms and apartments are also available. For a plan of the Loring Residence Hall, click here. Accessible rooms are available (see more here). Maid service is provided, and linens are changed weekly. Pets are not allowed in Loring Hall, and smoking is prohibited throughout the campus.

Application for rooms in Loring Hall should be made as far in advance as possible. ASCSA members who wish to live in Loring Hall will incur in additional membership fees. Interested members should write to Niamh Michalopoulou, Loring Hall Manager, for information or complete an online reservation. Reservation requests must be submitted no later than June 1 for the next academic year, and it is advisable to contact Niamh as early as possible (please note that there is a one-week minimum for stays in Loring Hall).

Additional fees for membership inclusive of housing in Loring Hall are the following:

Fees for People Accompanying Members to Greece

Residence in Loring Hall is a privilege of membership in the School. If a spouse, partner, or other individual will be accompanying a member to Greece, and wishes to live in Loring Hall, they must either become an Associate Member or a "Residential Affiliate" of the School. Any such person who qualifies for membership and requests will be admitted by the Director and charged the standard fees for membership; if they do not request or qualify for membership, they will instead be admitted as a Residential Affiliate for a rate of $75/mo. In this case they will not receive the privilege of having a desk in the library or a locker in the downstairs in the Blegen Library, but for other purposes are considered a member of the School.

It will be the obligation of a member to see that those who desire to be appointed Residential Affiliate inform the Manager of Loring Hall and that those who desire Associate Membership apply online for membership in due time. 

Dining (members only)

Meals are served in Loring Hall’s dining room five days a week, Monday through Friday. Meals in Loring Hall are for ASCSA members only, who can purchase them for additional membership fees. Current fees are as follows:

Breakfast is free for residents of Loring Hall only. 
Buffet lunch: 8.50 € for Senior Members, 6.00 € for Student Members;
Dinner: 12.50 € for Senior Members, 9.00 € for Student Members.

Other Expenses

Members should make sure they have sufficient funds to cover expenses in Greece before arriving.

The cost of participation on trips during the academic year is not covered. However, if you are accepted as a Regular Member, please consult your admission letter for specific details about the mandatory school trips. All people planning to attend Academic Year trips should budget for meals while on trips, as meals are not included in the costs of the trips. If you attend a trip(s) and will be billed for participation, Trips I-V can cost around $2,200 (this includes things like shared expenses for bus fee, fuel, group meals, some ferry tickets, etc.). Optional trips can range between $3,200-$4,700 (total for two optional trips). Optional trip costs vary considerably based on destination, duration, and level of participation. The more people that go, the cheaper things are. Past trips have been priced out at as little as €1000 (plus airfare, food, and personal expenses) to $1700 (plus airfare, food, and personal expenses). Food and airfare on such trips are paid for by each person individually. If being billed for trips, participants will be billed for shared expenses upon return from each school trip. Participants are required to pay off all school-led trip expenses before taking the next school trip.

Meals in Loring Hall can total as much as $4,668 for the year, depending on how many meals are eaten at the School. Loring Hall serves 15 meals/week at set hours. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served M-F. No meals are served on weekends or holidays. See above for costs.

In addition, one should anticipate travel and housing expenses when away from Athens in the spring, whether on an excavation or individual research projects. Incidentals, such as laundry, cleaning, books, and entertainment, are also extra.

Estimated Cost for One Academic Year at the ASCSA

For a Student Member without fellowship, the costs of one Academic Year at the ASCSA can range between $24,000 and $30,000. For further information about the fees and possible costs of a year-long stay at the School, please contact the Programs Administrator.