My Greek organization can help me save money? Sounds crazy, right? Sometimes it can seem like being in your organization is like  being in an unequal relationship: a lot of take and not so much give. Even though the benefits of Greek life are irreplaceable (lifelong friendships, leadership skills, and newfound self-confidence), it’s hard to remember all that when it’s time to pay dues.

However, there are a number of ways you can further use your Greek organization to your advantage. For example, there are a number of discounts out there that will give you more for your dollar. And no, I’m not just talking about Greek apparel and embroidery stores, I mean all sorts of financial benefits (Most of them extend to alumni too, so even if you graduated years ago you’re still eligible).

For example, Textbook Partners (http://textbookpartners.com/) is a company that sells textbooks at discounted prices to sorority and fraternity members and can even help you start fundraisers for your organization. If you’ve ever had to buy textbooks in school, then you know what it’s like to be robbed blind at the beginning of every semester. Why not save some cash and help your sorority or fraternity at the same time?

Also, don’t forget about scholarships! Most organizations have a special section on their websites especially dedicated to scholarships, grants, and other types of academic financial aid. But you can also seek out help not offered specifically through your organization. A good website to check out is: http://www.free-4u.com/fraterni.htm which has a number of non-affiliated scholarships every year for a certain amount of sororities and fraternities. Don’t forget that many individual chapters often have their own annual scholarships as well, so your alumni adviser is often your best resource. Your organization takes enough money from you every year, why not start trying to get some of it back?

Seems like just yesterday…you were a young, innocent freshman, lost on campus and eager to meet new people. So you decided to be a part of Greek life in order to make some friends. And boy, did you! It was the best four years of your life and you’ll never forget all of the great times you had. Now wake up. It’s been a while since graduation and you miss all those great times. How do you get them back?

There are many ways for Greek alumni to stay actively involved in their organizations through employment. Yes, that’s right. You can work for your organization. In fact, did you know some organizations don’t even require you to be a Greek alum in order to work for a Greek organization? Many people find it an extremely rewarding experience and say that it helps them feel less disconnected from their college experiences. So what kinds of jobs are available? That depends largely on your organization, since each one is unique and operates differently.

But here are some strategies to help you find out. A great way to start is by contacting the national headquarters of your sorority or fraternity. HQs are often looking for people who know the ins and outs of Greek life as well as how to effectively run an organization. So if you have either of those skills, you’re a pretty good candidate. If you have both of those skills, then you’re a great one. Belong to a local organization? Then your best bet is probably to ask your chapter’s current president or alumni adviser about any available opportunities. Also, your former college or university can be a useful tool, as they frequently need Greek representatives to be a part of staff administrative positions.

Don’t forget that your most valuable resource is yourself. There’s always a need for people with fresh new ideas and capabilities in any organization, so if there currently isn’t an opening for the type of job you want, market yourself and create it!