7 Best Ways to Make Money in College Without a Job

Tutor • Start a Blog • Babysit • Donate Plasma • Note Taker • More ...

7 Best Ways to Make Money in College Without a Job
By Kelly • Sep 1, 2013 MD

When you are the typical broke college student living off ramen, learning how to make money in college without a job might come in handy. As students, we are often crunched for time and don’t have the energy to work tons of jobs to make extra money. While it might seem difficult to go to college without working a traditional 9-to-5, these flexible side hustles won’t cut into your academic or social lives. Here are some of the easy ways to make money in college. I can hear the ker-ching already.

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1. Tutor

Tutoring is one of the best ways to make money in college because you not only get to help yourself, you get to help others. When you tutor others, you are helping them achieve better grades in school and maybe even improve their overall academic career. You might even see some improvement in your own grades after going over the same study material over and over again. It is a win-win for everyone involved. You can find opportunities through your campus learning center or specialized sites like Wyzant.

2. Start a Blog

Why not take your interests, whatever they may be, and share your expertise with the world? You might question how you can make money with a blog, but once you start posting and gaining some followers, you can sell ad space on your blog. Blogs are the perfect way to express yourself creatively and share your world with others while making some extra cash on the side. And the best part is you are your own boss, so you can post what you want, when you feel like it. Check out our tips on budgeting for students to manage your new income stream.

3. Babysit

It sounds a bit high school-ish, but babysitting is a good way to make money no matter how old you are. In any college town, there are teachers, faculty, and even locals who are in need of someone to look after their children. Ask your teachers if they are in need of a babysitter or post some flyers around town describing your skills as a babysitter. You can babysit on the weekdays and study after the kids have gone to bed, or you can babysit on the weekends and go out with your friends after the parents come back.

| Benefit of Side Hustles | Why It Matters | | :--- | :--- | | **Flexible Scheduling** | Work around your classes and exams. | | **Skill Building** | Gain experience for your future career. | | **Extra Cash** | Pay for books, food, or fun without stress. |

4. Donate Plasma

So it sounds really weird, but donating plasma is one of the easiest ways to make money in college. Plasma is a component of your blood that helps your blood clot after an injury. While most people’s bodies produce it easily, there are a variety of disorders that leave people in need of plasma. Most college campuses have a lab where you can donate your plasma for a good sum of money. All you have to do is sit there for about 15 minutes hooked up to a machine. You can even use the time to study or do homework. And the best part of it all is that you are helping save lives. Visit DonatingPlasma.org to find a center near you.

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5. Note Taker

You go to class every day and take very detailed notes to study from, so why not make money from those notes? Most college campuses have companies that will pay for your notes and then sell them to other students who are not as on top of their academic game as you are. One of the best things about having a job as a note taker is that it motivates you to go to class and stay focused on taking great notes because your job literally depends on it. You can also look into platforms for selling your old books to maximize your earnings.

6. Research Subject

Don’t worry, being a research subject doesn’t mean being a lab rat. Actually, most research tests take the well-being of their subjects very seriously. And most of them include taking surveys or filling out tests on the computer. Check out your school's research website and see what subjects are needed. If you feel comfortable doing some, see how much they are paying and you are on your way to advancing the field of science while getting paid. You can also check out our guide on smart ways to save money in college.

7. Food Delivery

If you have a car on campus and a few nights a week to kill, why not become a delivery driver? It is a pretty easy job and you get tons of tips. Food shops are always in need of new drivers, so ask around and see who is hiring. You might even get some free meals out of it. Services like DoorDash are a popular choice for student drivers.

There are not tons of employment options as college students, but these ideas are some easy ways to make a few extra bucks without dying from work exhaustion. What did you think of these ways to make money in college? What are some other ways to make money in college? Did you ever have a job in college?

  • Sell gently used clothes online.
  • Participate in online focus groups.
  • Offer pet-sitting services to local families.

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Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • Stefanie

    2013-09-01T14:20:59.000Z

    I thought selling notes was prohibited and frowned upon?
  • Denae

    2013-09-01T13:42:51.000Z

    These sound really easy, especially the blogging:-)
  • Leigh

    2013-09-01T19:12:53.000Z

    And I thought this post was gonna say become a stripper
  • AttorneyCynthia

    2013-09-01T12:37:33.000Z

    Fantastic ideas in this article. I'm forwarding this to my sister.
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