How to Make Extra Cash in College

Making money has never come easy for college students, but in today's economy, it's harder than ever. Part-time jobs help, but they can be hard to come by these days and take away from your studying time, not to mention the fact that inflexibilty of hours often means fewer hours. However, there are some (relatively) quick and easy (and compeletely legal!) ways to up your revenue when the hard times hit, or when your parents decide to cut off your spending money.

-Donate plasma.

Donating plasma is one way to make some quick cash when you're in a pinch. It works the same way as donating blood. You go into a donation center, answer some questions, give a small blood sample from the tip of your finger to determine eligibility, then just sit back while they collect your plasma. Plasma is the clear liquid that surrounds your blood cells and can be used in numerous ways. Also, plasma is replaced very quickly in your body, so you can donate up to twice in a week, unlike blood, which can only be donated every 56 days. At $25-45 a session, donating plasma is an easy way to make up to $350 per month!

-Give up your sperm/eggs.

Every year, countless couples who are unable to conceive to rely on sperm and egg donations to add to their families. Sperm donation can bank up to $50 a session and can be done every 4 days. However, if you're considering donating your sperm, be aware that it sometimes requires a minimum number of sessions and there can be no "liberation" in between.

Egg harvesting can make females up to $3000, but requires major surgery and cannot be done as often. Giving up ovum takes much more of a commitment, but the payoff definitely reflects that. Also, the requirements for egg donation are much stricter, but if you are healthy, intelligent, mentally stable, and of age, it's an option you could consider. Not only does donating your sperm or eggs make you some extra cash, but it can also make for some very happy couples down the road.

-Sell your things.

It seems like the age-old and most obvious way to make fast cash, but it's tried and true. During spring break or the summer, go home for a few days and dig out all the old things your parents have stashed from your childhood and have a yard sale. It may not seem like it, but setting up your old stuffed animals and outgrown clothing can pull in more money than you might think. There are millions of people out there who constantly troll yard sales and while you won't get much for anything, it starts to add up after a few hours.

Girls, face it - high school's over. You are never going to wear your prom dress again. It's not doing you any good sitting in the back of your closet, so sell it to someone who can't afford to buy a brand new dress. Craigslist and eBay can help you bring in a few bucks, and you'll feel good knowing it went to someone who can actually use it.

Got a ton of old CDs or DVDs sitting around? Used music stores will always take them off your hands and hand over some cash for your addition to their inventory.

Almost anything you have that you don't want or need can be sold to someone who does. One man's trash really is another man's treasure. Not only will you make a little income, but you'll also clear out some space in your dorm or apartment.

-Sell your hair.

Yes, hair. If you've been growing out your hair for a while and have kept it healthy, there are people out there willing to buy it. Websites like thehairtrader.com let you post pictures and a description of your hair, and other people will actually buy it! Some of the more premium hair can go for a grand or more! Of course, the longer and less treated it is, the more you can get for it. Most of the hair is used for wig making, which means it's also a wonderful act of kindness.

-Participate in drug trials.

Offering yourself as a human guinea pig can bring in anywhere from $20 to $2000 dollars at a time. Clinical trials are always looking for young, healthy participants, so college students are perfect for this. Check around your campus or city for paid drug trials and ofer youerself up.

-Tutor.

If there's one subject you excel in, lend your knowledge to the other students. Put up flyers around campus offering tutoring services. It doesn't take much time (on average, one hour a week per student), and you can charge up to $30 an hour. It's an excellent way to to make easy money while helping out your fellow students.

-Write articles.

Yes, college already requires more writing than you're used to, but if you've got a knack for words and have a few extra hours a week, why not knock out a few articles for some extra cash? There are tons of websites willing to compensate you for your expertise on virtually any subject, whether it's video games, music, art, or organizing your closet.

-Recycle.

You constantly hear how we need to save the planet and 'go green', so you should be recycling anyway. But if you save up all those beer and soda cans for a while, you can turn them in to a recycling center for a few bucks. Offer to help clean up after a frat party, and you'll be rolling in cans in no time. It's easy money, and it's good for the environment.

Granted, you are not going to get rich using any of these tips, but they are all fool-proof methods of making a little money when you're hard up. Whether you're saving up for a trip to Cancun or just need to put gas in your car, using any or all of these tips will get you one step closer, guaranteed.