College is EXPENSIVE so you should try and save some money before attending. Here are some ways to make money for college students no matter how busy you are.
If you are already attending college and need some ways to make money, then this post is for you!
Here are all the ways to make money for college students that I have tried and tested or done research on.
You can try one or a few of these as a side hustle and earn some extra cash for college. I know how difficult it is to balance a side hustle and academics and probably extracurriculars, so I have included side gigs that you can work on online!
You never know if your side hustle might turn into a full-time job, so I recommend you to start and find out!
This post is all about ways to make money for college students to help with college expenses.
Ways to Make Money for College Students
1. Tutor
Tutoring has been one of my favorite part-time jobs. Not only do you get to teach others, but you can also constantly refresh your memory with the material.
PLUS, you can set your own hours and tutor in the subject you wish.
If you don’t have quick access to transportation, you can always opt to tutor online.
I have been tutoring for two years and just love teaching other kids.
If you also enjoy teaching others or have patience, then tutoring is a great position for you to earn some extra bucks.
You can find tutoring gigs on your campus, at your local tutoring centers, or on online tutoring platforms.
2. Sell Things on OfferUp
This is also one of my most recommended ways to make money for college students.
All you need is your phone and the app downloaded. Then, just find a place with nice lighting and a clear background.
Snap some pictures of each item you plan to sell and add a description.
The entire process is super easy and quick which is why I love using the app over others.
A tip is to take as many pictures as you can (12 is the max amount) of the item from different angles, top, bottom, front, back, etc.
You just need to add a brief description of the item’s measurements, the price, and if you opt to ship the item or not.
It takes less than a few minutes to post each item and the more items you post, the better your chances of selling an item.
3. On-Campus Employment
I also recommend finding a job on campus. Not only is it a great location since it is literally on-campus, but also allows you to find better hours that align with your schedule.
You can find jobs in the library, dining halls, offices, clubs, etc.
If you are more outgoing you can consider taking on a position as a tour guide or receptionist.
However, if you prefer quieter employment, you can consider working in the library or offices with not a lot of visitors.
I recommend checking your university’s on-campus job openings which are often on the site or an app.
4. Sell a Service Online
If you can do nails or have a handy skill, you can advertise it online.
Many students on campus advertise their work on their Instagram or social media. You can post pictures of your work and offer a way to contact you.
If you meet in person, make sure it’s at a safe location or area where with people. Some suggestions are coffee shops, dining halls, study halls, etc.
5. Sell Your Textbooks
If you have several old textbooks or iclickers lying around, you can sell them online.
You can sell it online or on Facebook Marketplace. If you have a campus site or platform that students go on to buy and sell stuff, you can post on there too.
I recommend listing what class your textbook is used for and also the price. Then include your contact information and a few photos.
Get your butt off your bed and check for your used textbooks and supplies that you don’t need anymore.
6. Rent Your Equipment
If you have a nice camera or quality items that you can rent, you can turn it into a side hustle.
You can go on renting platforms to offer your equipment or also offer it on your college campus.
Some equipment that you can rent out are high-quality speakers, gaming keyboards, cameras, etc.
When you rent out your equipment on-campus, take precautions by trading your equipment with their identity card or something personal before renting out.
You can also do a down payment first before loaning it and then another payment afterward. It will be based on what you prefer.
7. Sell Your Clothes
If you have a bunch of clothes that are in great condition or a great brand, you can sell them online.
You can try apps like Poshmark or Mercari which are more well-known for selling clothes online. Make sure you have images of the clothing and preferably what it looks like worn.
It might also sell better if you show how you style the clothing like tucking it in, wearing it with a belt, buttoning it, etc.
This will also be a great activity to declutter your closet-before you refill it with more clothes.
You can try donating and selling your clothes every time the new season rolls around, so you can keep a nice momentum.
8. Apply for Scholarships
Ok, this might be huh? Applying for scholarships, however, is a wonderful task to do to help pay for your tuition, rent, utilities, etc.
You can spend any free time applying for scholarships since once you win, the scholarship can be applied to ALL aspects of your college needs.
Having trouble applying for scholarships? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Win Scholarships (From a Full-Ride Recipient).
9. Do a Gig
Do you have a talent for something? Did you know that you can use your talent to rake in some extra bucks?
Sites like Upwork or Fiverr connect freelancers to people looking to get something done.
If you are good with art design, graphic design, translating, video editing, etc. then you can find a gig online.
There may be some categories or skills that you may have but don’t know if others need. Try browsing the different categories and topics to find something where you can earn money.
You can also adjust your prices based on any additional services or customization requests that the buyer may want.
10. Sell on Etsy
If you are handy with crafts or can make stickers, you should consider selling on Etsy.
It does require a 20-cent listing fee and a low transaction fee when your item sells.
However, you will be able to get our money’s worth and more once your business starts growing.
And you never know, your hobby or side hustle might become your full-time career based on how it goes!
11. Data Entry
This is another great online gig that you can work on anywhere. You just need a laptop or computer and wifi.
There are many internships, gigs, and jobs available online that require data entry. Warning: this can get boring as it is quite repetitive, but does require minimal effort to do.
If you like repeated tasks, then data entry might be your go-to.
12. Babysit
I know this might be a common part-time gig, but it does pay well if you live in nicer cities.
There will be plenty of parents who want a night out and someone reliable to watch over their kids.
You can charge a certain rate and then increase it as there is more demand or your gig expands.
13. Sell Your Notes
Do you take awesome summary notes or have past assignments, essays, or class notes lying around?
You can earn money for each time someone buys your document and upload more notes when you have new classes.
Make sure to include an interesting description so other students will be more likely to purchase your notes.
There are plenty of online note selling sites online, so do a brief search and decide on the one that you want to sell on.
14. Do Voice Overs or Transcriptions
You can voiceover videos or convert audio to text as a regular weekend gig.
If you have a good ear or have patience, you can transcribe audio or video online.
You can also find these gigs online or on gig sites like Fiverr or Upwork mentioned before.
15. Translate
Do you happen to know a second language? If so, you can translate text, audio, or video to another language or vise versa.
You can find these gigs online or look for part-time jobs that require translating.
Interested in more posts like ways to make money for college students? Check out 15 Proven Hacks to Save Money in College.
16. Do Labs
One of the easiest tasks I had was doing labs on campus. There were always labs that asked for your responses and they paid you a gift card at the end.
Make sure you are doing the labs that pay if you don’t want it for credit.
The ones I completed usually required you to watch several videos and listen to some audio before answering some questions or doing a couple of tasks.
You can sign up for any time slot that is open and that works for your schedule.
Make sure you read everything before doing a lab in case you don’t feel like doing a particular one. Remember that you can get up and stop the lab anytime in between if you feel like you don’t want to continue.
17. Apply for Paid Internships
If you don’t want a serious or long time commitment, then you can opt for applying for an internship.
Many companies hire for simple tasks like designing a site, data entry, or marketing so you will be able to take on a role if you can do some of these tasks.
This is one of my highly recommended ways to make money for college students because internships can help you gain experience and if you do a really good job (maybe a full-time offer too)!!
18. Sell Printables
Do you have specific knowledge about a topic or creative? You can create printables and sell them online!
They can be anything from planner inserts, calendars, planning pages, resource packet, worksheets, or anything that you can think of.
Then you can market it online on your website, start an online store, or put it up on Etsy.
Each time someone purchases from you, you can send them an automated email with a link to download.
This is a great idea to make money for college students if you want to build a passive income.
You might not earn much in the beginning, but you can grow it by producing more printables or marketing it more.
19. Answer Calls
If you are good with customer service, you can answer calls and provide answers to callers.
There are many customer representative jobs available that you can take on to practice your communication skills and patience.
You can learn a lot in customer service jobs, so if you are up for something new, you can try and venture into this field.
20. Recycle Your Bottles
If you drink bottled water or have a bunch of soft drink cans lying around, you can recycle them.
The earnings may differ based on the weight of your bottles or depending on how your local recycling center pays.
This won’t make you rich, but it is a good habit to recycle and earn some extra bucks for small things.
21. Invest Your Money
If you already have a part-time job, you can start investing each month. I am currently in a program called Calsavers which employers are required to provide for their workers if they are a company with over five or more people and don’t have a retirement program.
It sends part of my salary to Calsavers and invests in funds that they automatically pick for me or I can customize.
You can also look into investing programs to grow your money each month.
22. Become an RA
What’s an RA? An RA is a residential advisor who takes care of matters in a residential building.
The perks are usually free room and part or all of your tuition covered based on what your college offers.
Even though this isn’t a great way to make money as a college student, you are still able to save a ton on room and boarding.
23. Work at Your Local Retail Stores
If there are a lot of small shops or stores on campus, consider working there.
You can check clothing stores, department stores, malls, coffee shops, or retail stores for open positions.
If your university has a bookstore or clothing store that sells their merch, you can also consider working there.
The regular tasks include folding clothes, answering questions, making drinks, etc. depending on where you are working at.
24. Sell Photos
Do you have a knack at taking photos? If so, you can consider selling your photos online.
There are always a demand for nice stock photos and you can earn higher commissions if more people download your pictures.
Check online platforms like Shuttershock, Etsy, or photo sites to start selling.
25. Work at Restaurants
If you need to work at very early or late hours, then working at a restaurant may be a nice option.
Make sure you do your research on which places tip better or have flexible hours before applying.
You can consider working part-time at restaurants or dining places several days a week.
Usually, areas with bars tip higher than regular family restaurants.
26. Check-in People to the Gym
Another great way for college students to make money is working at a recreation center or gym receptionist.
Your main task is to check students in and answer any questions that students may have.
This is usually low-stress work that allows you to do your homework or get some studying done when it is not too busy.
27. Manage a Social Media Account
Many small businesses starting out don’t have the time to manage their social media accounts.
You can earn some extra cash by replying to comments, updating new content, and interacting with users.
If you are interested in this line of work, you may want to look further into marketing or social media skills.
Interested in more college posts like ways to make money for college students? Check out 25 Best High School Sophomore Hacks.
28. Do Someone’s Makeup
If you have a knack for doing makeup and applying it to other people, then you can start a gig as a makeup artist.
You can start promoting your service with your dorm mates and expand it to your social media platforms. If you have a university platform, you can also promote your service there. Make sure it is allowed before doing so.
You can earn some serious cash for doing special makeup for the holidays, birthdays, or special events.
This service may cost you some money in the beginning if you need to get makeup for different people since everyone’s skin tone and skin type are different.
29. Become a Campus Driver
If you want to earn some cash, but are not sure what to do, you can become a campus driver.
This position does not require a lot of fancy skills except a driver’s license and the willingness to learn. You drive a designated route around the campus for a certain period of time for a couple of days each week.
There may be more or fewer hours depending on how many drivers are needed at your university.
30. Proofread Papers in the Writing Hub
Did you get a high grade in your english class last quarter? Try applying as an editor or proofread papers at your college’s writing center or hub.
Students usually bring their papers with them printed out or on their laptop to get help on writing assignments.
These may be online, in person, or hybrid based on how your writing center operates.
31. Drive Uber
If you have a car, you can consider doing Uber or renting your car out. You can get quite a bit of money for driving people during rush hours or special holidays.
You can set your hours and location range based on what is most convenient for you.
All you need to do is sign up and go through the application process to get started.
These were 31 ways to make money for college students and hopefully you got some inspiration to start!
If you still need more ideas on how to make money as a college student, you can check out some of my other posts or browse online job sites for more inspiration.
