1. Get a job on campus, or two.
These jobs are not only conveniently located, but they are usually not very difficult and do not require too many hours. I currently have two jobs on campus, which is my main source of income for paying the big bills.
2. Participate in a paid internship.
I chose to participate in the Disney College Program, which requires relocating to either Florida or California for a semester, but it was a great chance to make some extra spending money. There may also be opportunities closer to home—contact your college adviser or internship office for more information.
3. Participate in psychology studies.
These usually only require a couple hours of your time. I did a study only last week that involved filling out a questionnaire, receiving an EEG, and playing a video game. Two hours later, I was $30 richer. Contact your school’s psychology department for more information.
4. Donate plasma.
When I was extremely desperate for cash my sophomore year, this was my go-to. It does, however, eventually take a toll on your body if you donate too frequently for too long. Be sure to stay extremely hydrated and eat well each day if you plan to donate. Now that I exercise regularly, I have steered clear of donating as it makes me lightheaded during my workouts. You can donate up to twice a week and it usually pays $15-30 per visit.
5. Edit your peer’s essays.
My junior year, I had a girl in one of my classes who was an atrocious writer. I offered to edit her essays for $10 per page (which I have been told was a cheap rate). She sought out my help for a year and I ended up making hundreds of dollars. If writing is your strong suit, market your skills!
6. Apply for scholarships and writing contests.
My freshman year, I happened upon a “Call for Essays” poster outside my psychology classroom. I had a spare hour, so I sent in a two-page essay and ended up winning $300. Actively search for essay scholarships or writing contests. Some are actually fun, such as a zombie apocalypse themed essay. They can range from requiring 250 words to five to 10 pages. It all depends on the scholarship. I have found Unigo to be a fantastic source—this is also where you can find the previously mentioned zombie scholarship (250 words can win you $2,000)!
