Having to take on a job while in school can feel daunting at the best of times. You’re already juggling a part-time (or, more likely, full-time) curriculum complete with exams and assignments galore. And that’s not even to mention the fact that you might want to cut loose and enjoy yourself every now and then.
The good news is that you can make money in college without getting overwhelmed. All you need is a little bit of time management and some basic skills you don’t mind putting to the test.
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1. Work-Study Program
Your school probably offers this, and it’s worth a closer look. Federal work-study pays around $2,340 annually on average, according to a report from the Community College Resource Center, and while this isn’t much, you’re more likely to gain experience related to your degree than you would with, say, a part-time restaurant job. The work often ties directly to your field of study, which means you’re stacking resume lines alongside paychecks.
You can use the cash for things related to your studies, like books, or as a little extra spending money.
2. Ride-Share or Delivery Driver
If you have a license with a clean driving record and a working vehicle, you could earn money through ride-share or delivery services. For ride-share, Uber and Lyft are perhaps the most common options. For delivery, there’s DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart and GrubHub.
Earnings are solid. Per Indeed, Uber drivers average $17.98 per hour, while Instacart shoppers pull in $23.76 per hour on average. Just remember, you’re covering gas, maintenance and self-employment taxes on your own.
Requirements vary, of course. For example, Uber also requires you to have at least three years of driving experience behind you if you’re under 25. Your car must also have at least four doors and pass an inspection.
3. Pet Sitter or House Sitter
People often want to get away for the weekend or holidays. If you’re stuck on campus, why not get paid watching people’s houses or pets? You can earn a paycheck just for hanging out, playing with dogs and maybe binging a show on their couch.
Try Rover for pet-sitting gigs or Trusted House Sitters for house-sitting.
4. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants earn an average of $25.77 per hour, according to Indeed, and you get to set your own schedule around classes. Better yet? You’re learning legitimate admin skills that actually look good on a resume like email management, scheduling, data entry and research. These aren’t thrilling tasks, but they’re the backbone of office work. You might even be able to start your own freelance operation after graduation.
5. Sell Your Stuff
You can sell virtually anything you can think of — with the right platform. Start with the obvious: old textbooks and notes you don’t need. Then move to clothes, sports equipment, collectibles and anything taking up space in your dorm.
Check out sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist if you don’t want to pay a fee. Otherwise, Mercari and Poshmark might be worth considering.
6. Freelancer (Specialist)
Do you have any specialized skills? This could be something like designing templates (graphic design), photography, video editing, writing or social media. If so, sign up on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork for gigs.
These might be one-offs, but you can learn a lot while earning money. And you never know, you could graduate college with a real skillset and the potential of turning it into a career all its own.
7. Rent Out Your Vehicle
Some college campuses are huge and require at least a bicycle to get around comfortably. Others are so far removed from anything fun to do on weekends that you need a car.
Whether it’s a car, bike or anything with wheels, Turo and similar services let you rent it out. Post flyers around campus too. It’s passive income with minimal effort — just insurance and liability to think through.
8. Use a High-Yield Savings Account or CD
This one is a slow burn compared to the more active gigs on this list, but it’s true passive income. The FDIC reported that high-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) can earn anywhere from 4% to nearly 6% APY. All you have to do is put money into the account and let it grow. Not thrilling, but it compounds over time and requires zero effort.
9. Do Microgigs
Microgigs are a low-commitment way to earn. Think of small tasks like quick online surveys and user testing. Platforms hand out these gigs like candy, and some even offer sign-up bonuses.
You won’t cover tuition this way, but you can cobble together weekend spending money without the commitment of a traditional side job.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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