How College Students Can Earn Extra Money

With gasoline prices and inflation increasing so dramatically, budgets are becoming tighter each day. This is especially true for college students, who typically have very little income and many expenses. As a 24 year old recent graduate, I have very recently experienced the financial hardships that face many Americans ages 18 to 20-something. Drawing from my personal experience I have outlined several tips that can help any college student earn extra cash.

Tips for Earning Extra Money:

Scholarships - I am sure you have thought of this already, however there is more to it. Even if you did not receive scholarships before entering college, you should still seek them out during school. Many scholarships are only available to Juniors and Seniors so you cannot apply until you are in school anyway. There are also thousands of scholarships available to specific demographics based on race, religion, gender, age, field of study, location, hobbies, or hardships you may have had. There are even scholarships for people that are left handed! Your employer and your parents' employers may offer scholarships. You can also receive money from companies if you agree to work for them after graduation.

On-Campus Job - Having a job on campus saves a lot of time and money commuting to and from work. The employers are often the most flexible employers you will ever find in regards to your class schedule. Some may even allow you to work freely at your own pace, coming and going from work as you please. They are also a great opportunity to obtain work experience. Your school's Career Center or other office undoubtedly has resources available for available On-Campus Job listings.

However, here are some On-Campus jobs that I recommend:
Alumni Call Center, Library staff, Coffee Shop, Tutor, Student Union, IT Services, Office Receptionist, Event Staff, Medical Center staff

Off-Campus Job - Off-Campus jobs may not provide schedule flexibility, but you can often make more money than at an On-Campus job. Check the Classifieds section of your local newspaper as well as your school newspaper.

A few jobs that I recommend for good pay: Call Centers (customer service or telemarketing), Pizza Delivery, Bar tending, Internship, Landscaping

Sell Plasma - It is similar to giving blood except that you get paid for it. BioLife is one of many companies that set up facilities near colleges and pay anywhere from $20-$40 per "donation." You can donate twice a week and get paid for referring your friends. In college, I made $200 per month doing this. Check your area for a company like this. Chances are that it is not far from campus.

Sell Textbooks - Shop around for the best price in your area. Consider selling your books on eBay, Amazon, or Facebook instead of at your campus book store. This is especially true if your campus book stores tells you that they are no longer accepting your textbooks. Sell them online to someone at a different school. If your friends have books that they cannot sell, offer to buy them so that you can then sell them online.

Sell Class Notes - This can be while you're taking a course, or after you have finished. If you take good notes, make copies and sell them to people who will be taking the class later. Notes for difficult classes are generally worth more. People with disposable incomes are willing to pay for this convenience.

Sell Study Guides - some teachers do not provide study guides. This gives you an opportunity to generate income. Take good notes, make an outline hitting the important parts, and make copies. E-mail your classmates or just verbally announce your offer in class. I have seen study guides sell very well from $3-$10.

Tutor - Pick a subject that you are good at and offer tutoring services. This does not have to be just to college students. Consider offering tutoring services to younger kids as well. Tutors can often make $20 or more an hour, and the work schedules are generally flexible.

eBay Business - Consider going to auctions, garage sales, and estate sales in your free time to hunt for bargains. I suggest focusing on something you're interested in or might be interested so that you can develop insight into the value of an item before you purchase it. You can buy items at these sales cheaply and then sell them for a profit online. Recommended items: Records, Old Books, Paintings, Decorations, Furniture, or any type of Collectible

Mobile Marketing Staff - Have you ever signed up for a credit card on campus so that you can get a free t-shirt or pizza? Well the person that handed you that form was probably just some kid your age. That could be you! You can find many mobile marketing companies online that pay very well for assistance at trade shows, marketing events, fairs, and concerts. You typically sign up online, and the company will email you when they have an event for you. You can accept or deny them so you are never obligated to work.

Internship - These are typically only available to upperclassmen. You can get internships during the school year or during the summer. Search for internship opportunities in your field of study in order to make extra money and gain valuable work experience. Some internships are unpaid, however, I know personally that there are internships available that pay several thousands of dollars for just a few months of work. Internships are a great help when interviewing for jobs after graduation as well. Check with your Career Services department, look at online job search websites, attend career fairs, or ask at companies where you interested at working.

Mystery Shopper - I have saved quite possibly the BEST job for last. You can get paid to watch movies, go shopping, or go out to eat. These are not scams. Companies pay you to review their services and products while posing as a normal customer. Sometimes you have to pay for the food or tickets yourself and the company will reimburse you. Other times they may just send you tickets or gift cards to use. They will then pay you cash on top of this! There are many companies that offer this type of work. Check online and register for your area. They will then contact you when they have a "Mystery Shop" available.

The most important thing is to focus on your education. Do not let your work schedule take over your school schedule. Otherwise you may find yourself earning poor grades and taking classes over and over. This is counterproductive, and at this point your job is actually costing you money. When trying to earn money in college, be creative. Think about products and services that you often buy. Other people are probably willing to buy those things as well. Try to spin that into an additional source of income to help you make it through this time of poverty.