When you are in college, finances will almost always be tight. It doesn't matter whether you're involved in a community at a college or a fancy school, finding ways to meet your needs while still getting good grades is a challenge. Read the following article to learn about some of the ways that you can help make extra money without jeopardizing your achievements.
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Method 1 of 5: Get Paid to Learn
Step 1. Apply for new scholarships and grants
Most students think that they can only apply for a scholarship when they have just applied for early enrollment. This is a mistake! There are many scholarship opportunities for senior students, although the news is not always disseminated. You can also apply for outside scholarships or grants, offered from groups outside your school.
- Start with the bulletin board on campus and pay attention to announcements via e-mail.
- You can also search for scholarship opportunities online, and there are several free (or low-cost) downloadable apps, such as the Scholly app, available for a small fee) that can help you tailor your search.
Step 2. Offer your services as a tutor
One of the best ways to learn a subject is to teach. By becoming a tutor, you can hone your knowledge of your field of study, provide valuable service to others, and make the extra cash needed – it's a win-win scenario for everyone involved!
- You can be paid through your school to tutor other students in classes you have completed with good grades, or you can promote your services to your classmates.
- To find tutoring opportunities, see your advisor or professor, or go to an on-campus training center.
Step 3. Get paid to take notes
You may have taken notes in class seriously for your own benefit. Why not get your business paid double?
- This is very common for students with special needs as they may have learning difficulties and need someone to take notes for their lessons.
- These positions are usually compensated – you can earn up to IDR 100,000 per hour for each class. You will take notes, type, and send e-mails or give them to a student service center with disabilities, where the notes will be distributed to students who need them.
Step 4. Check offers by e-mail regarding work as a registrar
Once the student's needs are documented, the service center for students with disabilities will contact the professor and ask for volunteers in the class to take notes, and your professor will e-mail the students in the class.
Respond quickly before another student who also needs money takes the job from you
Step 5. Advertise your own services
You can also contact the service center for students with disabilities directly to see if they need a note taker on the courses you are taking, or you can advertise your own services to your classmates.
If you are advertising yourself, make sure that you are not interfering with class or university policies
Step 6. Review your classmate's writing
If you are good at writing and proofreading, you can hone your skills and get paid at the same time offering a service to review your classmates' papers for a reasonable fee.
Spread this ability among your classmates and roommates, and consider making announcements advertising your services
Step 7. Learn how to make references carefully
If you provide a review service, be careful how you provide feedback and make recommendations for improvement. You should be aware of your school's reference guidelines and regulations regarding plagiarism.
- Double-check with certain professors' policies about sharing writing work with others. Some professors give homework in written form as a test, and they forbid students to discuss during the writing process.
- If you rewrite, instead of checking other people's writing, you and your clients may run into problems related to academic cheating, and you could face serious consequences, including being expelled from school.
Step 8. Take advantage of your typing and computer skills
If you are a fast and accurate typist, if you can create attractive presentations with graphs, or if you are good at creating tables and graphs to show data, you may be able to afford to be paid to teach and help other students with their assignments and hone your skills on the subject. the same time.
Step 9. Visit a career service center
Most campuses have a careers service office that guides students about possible job markets, and helps prepare them to apply and get interview opportunities when they graduate. Do not think, however, that you only use this resource when you are a senior student.
- You can find advertisements for paid internships or part-time work in your field of study at the careers services office.
- Finding opportunities early in your studies will not only help you hone your skills and enrich your resume, but can provide you with extra money as you study.
Step 10. Enter an academic competition
You may find ads for essay writing contests and scholarship competitions (such as science or engineering competitions) that offer cash prizes to winners.
- Look for opportunities by checking the bulletin boards regularly on campus (starting by looking at the faculty and library), by e-mail¬, and directly asking your advisors and/or professors if they have information about competitions that suit you.
- Even if you don't win, you will gain experience in your field of study, build relationships with others, and add to your portfolio or work.
Method 2 of 5: Finding Other Ways to Earn Money on College
Step 1. Apply for study on the job
Even if you weren't allowed to work on the job when you first applied to your school, you may be able to apply now. Make an appointment with the finance office to see if you can still apply (or reapply, if your financial situation suddenly changes).
There are many jobs available on campus, from working in the dining hall, doing administrative work in the academic department, and even working in the campus theater, where you will have access to free shows or movies
Step 2. See if your college is involved in the Federal Work Study Program
This program provides part-time employment opportunities for students with financial difficulties and guarantees that you will be paid at least the state minimum wage.
Where possible, the positions available are relevant to your field of study and are country-minded, aiming to serve the public interest
Step 3. Become an RA (assistant who takes care of the dorm)
If you live in a dormitory, are an active participant in dormitories and campus activities, have a high GPA, and enjoy working and mentoring others, then becoming an RA (assistant who manages dormitories) could be a good opportunity for you.
Even if you don't earn extra money when you become an RA, you will usually get free fees or reduced room and food costs, which will then save you money on other expenses. At some schools, you may earn a salary as an RA
Step 4. Be a guinea pig
Look on campus bulletin boards for advertisements regarding volunteer searches for psychology studies or medical experiences.
This is usually a one-time fee (a fixed fee), although at some schools, you can earn a certain amount of money per hour doing something as easy (and perhaps interesting!) as filling out a questionnaire
Step 5. Check that the experiment is safe
Before you agree to your involvement, make sure that the experiment is approved by the Institutional Review Board or the Human Subjects Participant Program. This will help ensure that your rights and your physical and mental well-being are protected.
Step 6. Look for off-campus research trials
If you don't find an opportunity to get involved in on-campus research, look to official government clinical testing sites to find legitimate research in your area. You can also visit the local hospital's website to see if they are looking for participants.
Step 7. Sell your textbook at the end of the semester
One of your biggest expenses may be spending on buying textbooks. You can usually get some of your money back at the end of the semester by reselling your books.
- On-campus bookstores usually repurchase books, but most campuses also allow other companies to open stores at the end of the semester. You can also reach out to used bookstores in certain areas to see if they are buying used books.
- To increase your chances of selling the book (or getting a good price), keep your book for one semester, and don't mark pages with small notes or a certain color.
Step 8. Learn to organize
It's a tough thing to be successful in school (or any other job!) if your job is a scary nightmare. Spend time developing organizational skills, and then advertise your services to classmates, and maybe even to your professors.
Offer to help your clients go through their files (either physical or electronic), and help them sort and organize their work so they can organize it themselves
Step 9. Offer cleaning and laundry services
Students usually do not know how to keep their rooms or clothes clean. If you don't mind doing this task, and if you can handle the messy and smelly situation, consider making some money by cleaning the room or doing the laundry for a lazier classmate.
Step 10. Open a salon in your dorm room (or make a call service)
If you have a talent for taking care of your nails, hair, make-up, consider advertising your services to your classmates, especially before important events such as formal events or Valentine's Day.
Do a review first of the prices for services provided by local salons, and then provide a price where you can still benefit, but with a choice that suits your classmates
Step 11. Open a snack shop
It's no secret that college students need snacks! If you can afford to make (or even just give the best deals on prepackaged snacks), take advantage of your classmate who enjoys snacking.
- Spread the word with an engrossing image of the food you make, or visit libraries and other study places where you can study for exams, such as midterms and finals.
- If you're an “owl”, then you're sure to find college students hanging around to buy snacks on Friday and Saturday nights (or even Thursdays, at school parties!). If you decide to sell food to the evening crowd, even if it's a smart move, it's best to work with a partner.
Step 12. Set up a recycling center on the floor of your dorm room
If you live in a state that accepts bottle exchanges, you can earn easy money by collecting and returning soda cans.
- Consider making a small investment in a large plastic trash can, bordering it with a thick plastic bag, and embellishing it with the caption: “Put the soda can here!”. Place the trash can outside your dorm, and then the next step you have to do is sort it out before taking it to the exchange center.
- Make sure that you are not violating hostel policies by doing this. As long as possible, you can also recycle cans on campus.
Method 3 of 5: Finding Jobs Off-Campus
Step 1. Find a job that provides extra money
As a student, having access to quick cash is very helpful. Look for part-time job opportunities that will earn you cash at the end of your working hours.
Serving or guarding the bar at a restaurant, working as a hotel or restaurant waiter, delivering food (which usually requires you to have a private vehicle and insurance), or performing street shows are all good choices
Step 2. Work part time at a local shop
Search the streets and check out local businesses around your area. You may be able to find a part-time job that fits your school schedule.
- While you should regularly check for job openings, be aware that not all jobs use them, and you may have better luck if you ask personally about possible job openings.
- Have your resume and appearance ready when you first go to the store. Don't do it when you come home from the gym! It won't leave a good impression!
Step 3. Visit the agent
The process of finding a job can be made easy by asking an agent for help. They can sort all the ads for you, and already have relationships with local businesses.
- While the agent will take a share of your salary, temporary jobs are likely to pay a fair salary, and you can explain your availability according to your class schedule.
- Another advantage of working through an agency is that you can be out of work if you have a particular busy week or month at school.
Step 4. Carers or babysitters for local families
If you are responsible and can take care of the children, you can find a stable job as a babysitter.
Conduct a salary review in your area; as a student, you may be able to earn a higher salary, especially if you are majoring in education (or psychology, nursing, certified in CPR and/or first aid, etc.). In some cities, you may be able to earn several tens of thousands every hour
Step 5. Consider joining a babysitting service
This business screens and performs background checks on caregivers. Most parents are more comfortable leaving their child to a caregiver who has gone through this process.
Step 6. Advertise your babysitting business on campus
You might also consider offering your services to your professor. If you're their current student, they may not feel comfortable (or willing) hiring you, but they can recommend you to friends and other colleagues.
Step 7. Negotiate additional duties for extra pay
If you've been spending time at home babysitting, you may be able to earn some extra money doing other things.
For example, you can offer to do the laundry and dishes for an additional fee from your babysitting salary
Step 8. Work with children in different ways
If parenting isn't your forte, you may find a fulfilling and lucrative job teaching elementary or middle school students.
- Contact local schools to see if they have children who could benefit from your services or see if they have vacancies for part-time teaching positions.
- You may also be able to find employment options by going to a local organization such as the YMCA or YWCA.
Step 9. Work with the animals
If you like animals more than people, then you can find a job that puts you in touch with friends other than people, which will take care of your mental and financial well-being.
- Advertise your services as a dog or pet sitter. You can place flyers (local dog parks and vets are good places to start) or advertise online, but don't overlook the importance of networking with people you know.
- You might even think about starting a dog poop cleaning business. The business of cleaning dog litter is not a favorite task, but with proper gloves and equipment it is a fairly easy job. You will also get a stable job!
Step 10. Get paid to work outside
If you are still young and strong and love to be outside, then starting with a business you can do in the park or field can be a great choice.
- Be able to shift your services according to the changing seasons: have access to mow and trim weeds in the summer, and switch to warm clothes and a shovel after winter.
- If you have a lot of snow in your area, buying a snow scraper can be a worthwhile investment. If you already have one, you may be able to earn money by offering ice scraping services in the hours before people leave for work. You can also find some clients in your own neighborhood or apartment complex.
Step 11. Use your vehicle to your advantage
If you own a car, already have insurance, and have a good track record of driving, then there are a variety of ways you can work with your vehicle.
- You may be able to find work delivering newspapers, delivering students (to the airport, off-campus activities), or you could even open a delivery service. For example, you can get paid to go to the grocery store by a housebound person while you can buy your kitchen supplies.
- If you own a truck, you probably already know that you (or rather, a truck) are in high demand, especially to and from campus: offer your services as a driver – for a fee, of course!
Step 12. Housekeeper
Do you know of anyone who is planning to take a long vacation, or did your professor tell you of their plans to go abroad to spend their time off? If anything, you might be the perfect candidate for house keeping.
It's a wonderful job: you usually won't be asked to do much more than look after the house, collect mail, water the plants, tend the garden if needed, and maybe take care of the pets. Plus, you'll be living in a house that may be more pleasant than yours for a few days or even weeks
Step 13. Network to find house keeping opportunities
Let your family, friends and professors know of your availability to look after the house. This is usually the best way to find friends of friends (or coworkers or leaders of friends or parents, and so on).
Your friends and family members directly expect you to help without any reward and rail against your requests for payment
Step 14. Sell blood and/or plasma
Why not provide valuable services to others while being paid for at the same time?
- You must meet certain requirements before donating, and there are some limits to how often you can donate.
- Read the American Red Cross donation instructions before you commit, or check at the hospital or clinic where you will be donating.
Method 4 of 5: Work from Home
Step 1. Sell used clothes that are still worth using at a store that sells used goods
Be careful in choosing your clothes; how often do you wear it? How much is still usable? How many are still trendy? There's a good chance you can make a lot of money out of your wardrobe.
Take clothes that are still in good condition and make sure they are clean and unwrinkled, and then take them to a secondhand store. You'd better have to get cash. Try not to spend it buying all the new clothes while you're there – unless, of course, this is why you wanted the extra cash in the first place
Step 2. Sell your item online
If you don't have a good delivery store near you (or if you think you can afford to sell more on your own), you may want to consider selling items you no longer want or need online. Craigslist and eBay are two popular sites to try.
- Think about offering your clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, sports equipment, and/or electronics. As long as the item is still in good condition, you can usually find a buyer.
- You will want to take high-resolution images, and make sure to provide clear images, and complete descriptions. If you have guaranteed information, manuals, or brochures that came with your item, you have better luck selling it.
Step 3. Make a sale in the park
You can also set up shop in your garden (or garage). Many areas are active with sales views in the park, and it takes minimal effort for you to be able to meet people looking for good deals.
- Distribute flyers in your neighborhood, and remember to place an ad in the local paper if they advertise a sale in the park or garage.
- Be willing to negotiate with buyers, and don't set high expectations when you set prices. You will probably only get 25% of the original price you paid.
Step 4. Write online
If you have writing skills, you should be able to find plenty of opportunities to write (or proofread other people's work) online.
Find freelance work for writing and proofreading. Salaries for these jobs vary: you may be paid by the word, offered a fee for each project, or in some cases may be paid by the hour. You usually won't be able to retain copyright to your work or collect royalties. However, by doing this work, you can add to your portfolio and build valuable, paid relationships with other, more stable job opportunities
Step 5. Start with your blog or website
If you want your work to reflect you, and if you want to be free to write about any topic that interests you, you can think about creating a website or blog. If you have a sufficient number of followers, you can start generating income through advertising.
You'll only make a few cents from each ad on your page, but with a large enough following, this can go on and on
Step 6. Start with a YouTube channel
If you prefer visual media and are able to create entertaining or informative videos, you may also be able to make money by creating a YouTube channel with ads.
Check out this wikiHow article on how to make money on Youtube
Step 7. Turn your hobby into a business
Do you enjoy do-it-yourself projects? Can you knit, crochet, work with wood, or craft jewelry? If so, you may find good clients by setting up shop on sites like eBay or Etsy.
You'll need a PayPal account, a good camera to take quality pictures of your craftsmanship, and a way to organize your orders
Step 8. Perform paid administrative work
If you have basic computer skills and don't mind doing repetitive work, you might be able to find a job filling envelopes, doing data entry, or working as a telemarketer from your home.
The work can usually be completed in your spare time and requires minimal training from the company that employs you
Step 9. Spend more time online
If you've been spending more time browsing and shopping online, you may be able to find a way to turn that time back into making a profit. There are a variety of businesses that offer money to take surveys (like iPoll.com), download apps or listen to music.
The money you earn may only make small changes – you will be offered a few cents or a few dollars each job – but it can add up over time, and will definitely help you feel less guilty about spending money over time
Step 10. Designing the application
There is a lot of potential for making money in the app business. If you come up with an idea for a new app that provides people with a fun diversion or helps them organize their lives or learn in creative new ways, you may have a potentially profitable idea.
There are lots of tutorials available that offer helpful advice, and you can even create apps if you don't have coding skills. Check out this related wikiHow article
Method 5 of 5: Earning Money by Saving Money
Step 1. Rent out the room
If you rent on or off campus, you can save on rent and expenses by finding roommates.
Be careful with roommate selection – it's a good idea to start looking for roommates among friends and classmates. Be sure to sign an agreement between the two parties regarding how the dues will be paid, and ensure that you don't violate the original agreement if you bring an additional person into your home
Step 2. Save money for book purchases
Books are a big expense for students, but it's not a good idea to buy all the books. However, there are various ways to save money to buy books for 1 year.
Once the list of books is available, start by reviewing prices at the college bookstore but also look elsewhere with better deals
Step 3. Look for used books
You can usually find cheaper options (both new and used) online or go to a used bookstore, which often sells books from end-of-term students.
Given that professors often use the same book from semester to semester, you may be able to print a cheaper version of the book. You may even be able to get them for free from your campus or local library
Step 4. See if you can use the older edition
If your professor asks to use the newer edition, you may be able to purchase an older (cheaper) edition. Publishers often make slight changes from edition to edition, and the only thing that changes is the pages of the book or the addition of new readings.
Double-check with your professor to see if the older edition works before you buy
Step 5. Rent or share textbooks
You can also rent out your textbooks for a lower price, or you can split the price of the books with classmates or roommates who are taking the same course.
If you do this, make sure that you have a clear schedule of when each of you will use the book
Step 6. Bring cash
You can spend quite a bit of money by limiting yourself to paying with cash. Leave your debit or credit card, or put it in the end of your wallet that is only used for urgent purposes.
- When you cash a check or withdraw money, take out enough money for one month, if possible. In this way, you can prevent repeated withdrawals from ATMs.
- Avoid taking all your cash with you when you go. Bring the amount of money you need.
Step 7. Save on food on campus
If you live on campus, you may be required to purchase a meal plan. If so, choose the most economical plan (be honest about how often you are interested in or can afford to go to the cafeteria).
- Then, whatever plan you have, take advantage: avoid wasting food so you won't have to buy food again; and if available, take fruit or leftovers so you have a snack each day.
- Also, take part in on-campus events that offer free meals.
- If you're on a work-as-you-go program with a dining or catering service, you may be able to take food home for free.
Step 8. Exit the meal plan
If you can afford it, you can save even more money by opting out of the dinner plan and buying your own groceries.
Shop at discounted grocery stores or buy in bulk from a store like Costco. While you may have to spend a lot of money when you buy in bulk, your costs will indeed be quite high. You can overcome this by asking friends or roommates to go out together to buy things
Step 9. Save on clothing purchases
Of course you want to look good, but you don't have to spend a lot of money to look trendy. Consider simplifying your wardrobe: stock up on classics in basic colors that mix and match easily.
Buy all used clothes or commit to buying clothes when there is a discount. You can also swap clothes with your friends to stay different
Step 10. Exchange services with your friends
Are you spending more money on hair and nails every month? Do you have a friend who can't resist the cake at the coffee shop or who pays for a personal trainer? Think about the use of the money you and your friends are spending, and then see if there are ways for you to exchange and trade services with each other to save money.
For example, in exchange for getting your hair done before a date, you could offer to give your friend a bun you made
Step 11. Save on your transportation costs
The costs associated with transportation to and from school (or in the city where you run errands) can be quite high. In an effort to save money on gas, insurance, and parking, try to use public transportation whenever possible.
Your school may offer a discount card for bus rides for students, or you can arrange to take a car with friends to class or walk together
Step 12. Get out of luxury
You may think you can't live without cable television or Starbucks, but be honest with yourself. This may be just the caffeine you need, and not expensive coffee.
- Make coffee at home, consider cutting out cable television and switching to a free or cheaper television option (such as NetFlix or Hulu), and hold off on upgrading to the latest version, the newest electronics.
- By cutting out all the luxuries, you can definitely save money, but you can also enjoy and appreciate them even more once you can actually afford to get them back.
Step 13. Take advantage of student discounts
Before you head to a local restaurant or museum, do some quick research to see if they offer student discounts. As a student, you can get free admission or the best deals by identifying as a student.
Step 14. Look for free entertainment
How much money do you currently spend on going to a movie, going to a bar or club? While it's important to have a social life and find ways to rest when you're not studying, you don't have to spend a lot of money (or nothing!) to have a good time in your free time.
Read flyers and posters around campus, which offer free, fun, and/or interesting activities and teaching. You may be able to see games and concerts on campus, attend lectures from important thinkers, or go to university-sponsored parties for free using your student ID
Step 15. Consider joining one or more of the clubs on campus
Besides being able to meet new and interesting people, some of them have regular activities (like watching movies at night) or even provide travel services during school holidays.
This is usually partially or sometimes fully financed through donations or fundraising efforts
Warning
- Make your school a priority. Often, studying is used to qualify for a better job, so don't be distracted by your current activity.
- Don't sell yourself off with abilities you really don't have. Never write unnecessary things on your resume.
- Keep up the legality of the law. Don't risk your future for quick deals, easy cash, even if you think you can do better than Walter White!
- If this offer looks too good or seems far-fetched, it probably is!
