College can be expensive, meaning you need some ways to make some money while you’re going to school. I mean, unless you’re really eager to build up some high student loan debt (unlikely).
As of the class of 2015, it was estimated that the graduates would have over $35,000 in student loan debts! If that’s not a reason to start offsetting the costs of college on your very first day as a freshman, then nothing will convince you!
Yes, you guessed it – we’re talking about one of our favorite things: starting a side hustle!
With your schedule set and dorm room decorated, it is time to start using your dorm room as a moneymaker instead of a money waster.
All you need to make money from your dorm room is your time and a computer, which you have already!
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How To Make Money In College Without A Job
On top of regular tuition, the cost of living on campus can be very costly. Factor in textbooks, food, and discretionary spending and you are looking to pay back your college experience for years to come.
Not having a job in college is not a savvy move!
Your future employers want to make sure you studied hard, made good grades, and also gathered some work experience during college. The last thing they want to see is that you wasted your entire college career partying every weekend.
That said, we don’t think you need to necessarily have a traditional “job” while you’re on campus. Sure, there’s plenty of work available in the residence or dining halls, as a tutor to fellow students, or even doing grounds keeping.
But is that really where you want to earn your dollars? Not to mention that you’ll be competing with thousands of other students who need an on-campus job!
All of these problems have an easy solution: a college side hustle!
Starting to make money in college has never been easier! If you are in a dorm or in a suite, you are viewing this article from a device that has internet access. And that’s literally all it takes to start earning money.
You can do anything from using apps to earn money online, using apps that pay you to watch tv, or even just use apps that give you free stuff and you’ll still be better off than if you were doing nothing!
You could even be making money as you’re walking to class — how amazing is that?!
How To Make Money In College Online
The millennial generation is notorious for always having a phone or electronic device near or with them at all times. This works in your favor because you are just increasing the opportunities you have at making money.
Seriously, the amount of options you have for making money online is insane these days. It’s basically a scenario of “if you can dream it, you can do it!”
One of our favorite options for side gigs to make money is using apps for college students to make money. Why?
Because you can use these apps ANYTIME, and they’re so easy to fit into whatever your class and social schedule might look like!
The best part? You don’t even have to leave your dorm! All of these jobs allow you to enjoy the college experience in a dorm or suite and still have a job that makes money.
If you’re not into working a side hustle you can always learn ways to save money in college to help with the burden too like having your parents start a 529 plan for you.
Why not start earning money before you actually finish college and start your high-paying career?
How to Make Money in College
This is a list of our favorite quick and easy ideas to make money, that literally anyone could manage to make work for them. While some of them require a little more time investment before you see significant returns, the best part is that you could even do a mix of all of them if you’re serious about finding out how to make extra money fast.
You could even make your college schedule fit around your side hustles if that works out best for you — switch to mainly afternoon and evening classes if possible and boom, work on your side hustle in the morning. The flexibility of these 10 money-making sites makes them perfect for a college student!
1. Start a Shopify Store
Do your dorm mates think you come up with the funniest sayings? Have you ever thought about putting them on a shirt and making money?
Shopify is perfect for setting up your very own e-commerce store. Shopify is definitely a brand that you can trust.
They have amazing customer service and they have been the leader in e-commerce platforms for years.
You could even collaborate with your dorm mates and start a business, like Mark Zuckerberg did in college.
2. Start a Money Making Blog
Starting a blog in college is perfect!
You already have a huge advantage on the market because you read blogs everyday. You can easily write content about your life and ways to make college easier.
All you need to start a blog is have a passion and everyone has one of those!
Find your niche and market your content to a certain group of people. How can you solve their problem? Earn money through affiliate marketing, ads, and sponsored posts.
Follow this step-by-step tutorial on how to start a money making blog today!
3. Swagbucks
We love using Swagbucks to make money because they have multiple opportunities to earn cash. One way to earn cash is through surveys.
Each survey takes about 20 minutes and they try to match the survey to your interests so you are not wasting your time.
The second opportunity to earn is for having the Swagbucks Google extension installed. Earn Swagbucks by watching movies and shopping through Amazon. Isn’t that what every college student already does? Get paid to do it!
Swagbucks will pay you in gift cards like Amazon, Target, Walmart and even PayPal. For about every 100 Swagbucks it is equivalent to $1.00.
You can sign-up here and earn a $5 bonus, using our exclusive link.
4. MyPoints
MyPoints surveys separate themselves from the other survey companies by simply being in business for so long.
Since 1996 MyPoints has paid out over 236 million dollars in gift cards and PayPal cash!
With over 10 million members and counting you know you are in great hands taking paid cash surveys from MyPoints.
The best part is you can use your reward points for free gift cards at places like Amazon, iTunes, Starbucks, and so much more!
5. Ibotta
Do you do the grocery shopping for your suitemates? No? Well, you are going to start after you sign-up for Ibotta!
Ibotta is a cash back app that will pay you for not only your in-store purchases but also your online shopping.
When you get back from the store, you take a picture of your receipt after checking off what you bought and Ibotta gives you cash back.
The best thing about Ibotta is you want to get other people to sign up and join your team. Tell other college students about Ibotta and by them joining your team, you all have the potential to earn more cash back. Join our team as well!
If you want, you can sign-up and receive a $10 cash back bonus.
6. Inbox Dollars
With over $50 million dollars paid out to consumers, you will not want to miss out on this great survey company!
Get paid for “stuff” you are already doing; playing games, watching videos, shopping and giving your opinion through surveys.
You can get updates to your email when offers are available for you so you do not miss out on any opportunities to make money. If you like to play games online, this might be the best site for you!
Sign up today with Inbox Dollars and earn $5 for free using our exclusive link.
7. Pinecone
With Pinecone Research, you can evaluate products before they hit the shelf! Test out and give your opinions on products and earn points.
After you have acquired enough points, you can redeem them for prizes or cash (Paypal or check).
The first 300 points you earn will automatically be redeemed as a check and sent to your home address.
Maybe let your parents know it is on the way, so they do not trash it as junk before you get back home on the next break.
Sign up for Pinecone Research Surveys here.
8. UserTesting
Do you ever get to a website where the layout and user-friendly components are lacking?
Give your opinion by testing out different websites and get paid! You can earn $10 for testing websites and surfing around on websites.
9. BookNook
Calling all graduate students! Did you go to school for education? English?
Doesn’t matter! All you need is a Bachelor’s degree and experience working with children to earn money as a BookNook tutor.
Over at BookNook, you can teach children ages 18 months to 12 years old in reading and math. You’ll have all the curriculum provided and small groups to engage with.
Being a teacher, I know how hard it can be to find a job that fits your schedule. Working part-time as a BookNook tutor, you can continue to grow your teaching experience and make money at the same time.
At $15 -$22 per hour, you can set up a “virtual classroom” just about anywhere. The more experience you have with children, the higher pay.
10. Fiverr
Fiverr is a great freelance opportunity and would look awesome on a resume!
Fiverr is going to help you build a wonderful portfolio and crush your first interview.
If you are going to school for graphic arts, marketing, writing, or programming, Fiverr will have a job for you! Gigs start at around $5, but as you build your confidence and skill you can set prices upwards of $100.
There are countless ways for you to be making money in college.
So if you aren’t yet, get going!
Your parents will get off your back because you will be able to show you are making money! Plus this work experience will be perfect to add to a resume and stay comfy in your dorm room.
Just think of how impressive it would look if you could tell a future employer that you started your own business in college! (And if you do well enough with that business, you might not even need to look for a job but instead could be working for yourself from home!)
