Between tuition, books, housing, and basic necessities, the cost of attending college can really add up. Many students find themselves strapped for cash. With little work experience and a packed class schedule, earning money in college can be tough. However, with some determination and creativity, there are plenty of ways to bring in extra income during your academic career. 

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Get a Part-Time Job

The most traditional route for students seeking to make money is getting a part-time job. While you likely won't be rolling in dough, a steady part-time job can provide a regular paycheck to help cover your basic expenses. Places like restaurants, cafes, retail stores, gyms, and other local businesses are always in need of part-time help and are usually willing to accommodate student schedules. Just be careful not to bite off more than you can chew. Make sure any job you take leaves you with enough time and energy to focus on academics. Look for on-campus opportunities, like working in the dining hall, campus library, administrative offices, or becoming a resident advisor.

Sell Your Skills as a Freelancer

Got a special talent or skill? Consider freelancing to earn money on your own schedule. Freelancing gigs are ideal for college students because you can choose projects that fit your availability and take on as much or as little work as needed. Options like tutoring, writing, graphic design, web development, music lessons, and more are in-demand skills that other students or people in the community may pay for. Use campus bulletin boards and online freelance job boards to find opportunities. Set your own rates and hours. Freelancing looks great on a resume, too!

Sell Used Textbooks  

Textbooks are a notorious college expense, often costing hundreds of dollars each semester. Help recover some of that cost by reselling your used textbooks after each semester. Campus bookstores or online marketplaces like Amazon and Chegg allow students to sell back eligible textbooks for cash. Sites like Rumie are specifically designed for college students to buy and sell used textbooks, course materials, and supplies directly to other students at their university. Be sure to shop around for the best buyback prices. And don't wait until the next term starts or you'll miss the demand from students looking for used copies.

Participate in Research Studies

This may surprise some students, but you can actually get paid decent money to participate in research studies for university departments like psychology, sociology, cognitive science, and medical schools. At many campuses, there are opportunities to take part in experiments, surveys, focus groups, and more in exchange for pay. Typically, the studies just want students for their demographic perspectives, so there are flexible scheduling options. Keep an eye out for recruitment flyers around campus advertising paid research studies. You can earn $10 to $100 or more, depending on the length and involvement of the study. It beats donating plasma or taking some minimum-wage job!

The options don't end there. Some students make money in college by becoming a brand ambassadors for companies, investing in stocks, driving for Uber or Lyft, or starting their own small business. Use your creativity and initiative to find the earning opportunities that best match your needs and strengths as a college student. Just don't let it interfere with excelling at your studies.

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