5 Little-Known Ways to Earn Money as a College Student

Posted August 31, 2019 by in Career
ways to make money in college

Finances have always been a pressing issue for most college students. With a constant lack of free time, most young people often can’t apply for a full-time job. However, despite the constraints, all students are striving to become financially independent. 

Is it even possible to make good money as a student? In this article, we are going to share a few little known tips to prove it’s possible!

When thinking of earning opportunities for college students, what pops up in your mind? Some of the most popular positions would be a babysitter, server, camp counselor, all types of on-campus jobs, bartender, and restaurant host. 

For many decades, these jobs were considered to be the easiest and surest ways to make money while still at college. However, times have changed, and, today, there are many more opportunities than one could ever imagine! Below are five little-known ways to earn money as a college student: 

ways to make money in college

Student Blog

Running a blog is an enjoyable and exciting way to make extra cash, and it is doable for everyone! With a well-chosen topic and high-quality content, a blog can start bringing first earnings in less than a year. Eventually, it can turn into a stable source of income.

How to pick the right direction for your blog? In general, it is recommended to write about something you are genuinely interested in and knowledgable about. 

One of the best ideas is to start a student blog! For example, you could focus on the studies and share tips like how to write an SAT essay or pass finals with ease. Life on campus is stressful, and many young people are desperately looking for advice online. Maybe there are some valuable experience or tips you can share?

Studying abroad for a year? Even better! People are constantly searching for advice on how to study abroad.

Tutor or Academic Helper

Some of the best opportunities for earning without leaving the campus is to engage in tutoring or academic assistance. If you are well-versed in a specific subject or topic, you could share knowledge with fellow students or help them get their homework done and get paid for it!

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is an emerging opportunity that is still gaining momentum. However, thousands of people from all around the world have already discovered the field and make good money from it.

The main idea behind affiliate marketing is to promote a particular product or service. As a rule, affiliates share a link to the item they promote and give a unique discount code. Then, when someone makes a purchase using this code, they get a reward. 

This job will be great for active users of social media networks. If you have a significant base of followers, you can share links to products with them and get money for every purchase. However, even if you are not too active on social media, you can still try yourself in the role of affiliate marketer by advising the products and services you liked to your friends and family.

Quality Testing

Every big brand strives to make products of the highest quality that will satisfy their customers. However, have you ever wondered how do they test their items? You may be surprised, but they are paying others to do this!

There is a wide range of products that people can get paid for testing, including food, clothes, shoes, games and software, different services, etc. Now many know about such an opportunity, but it can be an excellent way to earn some cash without dedicating too much time.

Brand Ambassador

Big brands are investing lots of money in promoting their products. Did you know that many companies are willing to pay you just for using their items? It can be pretty much anything, including clothes, tech, etc. 

Being an official brand ambassador is a great way to earn cash! First of all, it is quite easy because all you need to do is to use certain items. Secondly, it doesn’t take lots of your time, which is especially crucial for busy college students! Finally, it pays well, not to mention how good working experience with a great brand will look on your resume.


Still thinking that being financially independent in college is impossible? Earning money as a student may be a bit hard since most of your free time is busy with homework and studies. However, there are plenty of opportunities for gaining a stable income, so all you need is to recognize and chase them!

Apart from “traditional” ways of earning, students have a broad range of not so known options that can bring good money. Hopefully, after reading this article, you will have a better idea of all the opportunities waiting for you out there! Now, our final tip is not to be afraid of making a change and never give up – follow your dream, and you will reach the top!