It’s 2023, and times are tough. If you’re a student, you already know how hard it can be to earn some extra money.

That’s why I’m here to help – today, I’m going to show you 15 legit ways for students to earn extra cash.

Whether you’re looking for some quick cash or something more long-term, I’ve got you covered. So, let’s get into it!

15 Legit Ways For Students To Earn Extra Cash

Freelancing

Freelancing is an amazing option for students to get some extra cash!

There are so many opportunities online for students to show off their skills and wisdom, and freelancing may even help you to pay off your tuition and living costs.

For example, you could use your skills in web design, copywriting, software development or data entry.

Let’s take a look at some of the potential freelancing options below.

Become a freelance writer

Freelance writing is an amazing way for students to make extra income. No special qualifications are needed – just good communication skills and a willingness to learn! With a great attitude and dedication, you can be a successful freelancer in no time.

Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are ideal for finding work. You can decide your own pay rate, and work from anywhere.

To be an efficient freelancer, you need research skills and the ability to write different kinds of texts – from long-form to blog posts and articles.

If you have other marketable skills, like SEO, WordPress design, or coding, you could have even more opportunities to make money.

TOP TIP: You could also use AI to 10x your productivity with freelance writing.

Become a virtual assistant

Becoming a virtual assistant is an awesome way for students to make extra money. You can do lots of things, like balancing budgets, responding to customers, maintaining databases and organizing meetings.

To start off you’ll need to look around online to find jobs. Put together an attractive profile that shows off your skills and experience. Showcase the skills you have to offer, like customer service or software knowledge. Use your contacts and networks too.

To be successful you need to be self-disciplined. Prioritize tasks and stick to deadlines. Be organized and communicate well. Have problem-solving skills and multitask. That’s how you can make it!

Become an online tutor

Aspiring and experienced teachers may wish to try out online tutoring. It offers flexibility and the chance to help students with their academic performance. You can choose to specialize in a subject or provide general tutoring services.

Most online tutoring jobs require a college degree and teaching experience. You may need certification in the subject you tutor. This can mean a higher wage. To get students, you may need to advertise yourself on job boards or use local resources.

When setting an hourly rate, factor in lesson planning and researching topics, and remember:

• It can take twice as long as one-on-one sessions.
• Be aware of commissions and taxes.
• Customer feedback is important.
• Look at reviews and ratings to ensure satisfied customers and build your experience portfolio.

Part-Time Jobs

Are you open to working in a part-time job while you study? It might just be the perfect option.

You could make extra money for textbooks, cost of living and other needs, while you also get valuable experience and skills to give you a head start in the job market.

Let’s see what kind of part-time jobs are available for students.

Look for opportunities in your local area

Finding a part-time job is easy! Start by looking for retail positions around malls, or out-of-home jobs like delivering food or helping out daycares or cleaners. You can also advertise your skills, like painting or plumbing, and walk around with flyers.

Check out websites like Craigslist for local job postings too!

If you have experience in a certain field, like customer service or tutoring, this is an advantage when searching. Lastly, don’t forget to ask around campus if any departments are hiring student workers.

Companies like Uber also offer part-time job schemes with great flexibility – something to think about!

Leverage job search websites

Job search sites are great for students to find part-time jobs. Examples: Indeed, Monster, Glassdoor. These platforms allow you to search by sector, location, salary and more.

To get the best results, it’s important to be thorough.Here a few tips:

• A good resume is key.
• Many of these sites have tips for creating an effective one.
• Also personalize your cover letter/email to stand out.
• Use filters to narrow down your options.

Keep searching until you find the right opportunity!

Consider online gigs

Online gigs give students and job hunters the chance to work from their home. This has more flexible hours than traditional jobs, plus the potential to increase income.

Types of online jobs vary. A few examples include:

• virtual assistant for a business
• virtual customer service rep
• online tutor
• transcriptionist
• telemarketer
• online market researcher
• freelance writer
• and content creator.

Before applying for an online job, research the company. Ensure they are real employers offering real work, with fair pay rates.

Make sure to also check reviews on sites like Yelp for how happy other employees were.

When working remotely, it’s also important to take the following precautions:

• Backup your files regularly.
• Use encrypted passwords to protect yourself from hackers.
• Don’t share personal info on emails or non-secure websites.
• Never open unknown email attachments or links.

Online scams are everywhere, so protect your private info!

Selling Your Stuff

Sell your stuff? Yup, it’s an option! It’s a great way for students to get extra cash.

Clothes, accessories, furniture, electronics – whatever it is, there are heaps of sources and platforms to help you out.

Let’s look at a few options below.

Sell your textbooks

Do you want to make some extra money? Sell your textbooks! You won’t get full price for them, but you can still get back some of the money. Look for books without an online marketplace. Older editions are usually more popular, and certain majors have higher prices.

Research what other people have sold the same textbook for. Check websites like Amazon or eBay – this will give you an idea of the price.

Then look at outlets like Amazon Marketplace and half+Price Books for physical copies, or eCampus, BookFinder4U and Textbooks Buyback for online resales. Give yourself plenty of time to compare offers from all the websites.

This way, you’ll get the best deal. Then make a decision and book your sale!

Sell your old clothes

Making a little extra cash? Selling your old clothes could be the way to do it! Low effort and you can make a good amount of money. Plus, knowing your wardrobe is going to someone who’ll appreciate it brings great reward.

Before you start selling, check the condition – no marks or tears. Clean if needed and make sure buttons, zippers etc. are working. Take quality photos for potential buyers to get an accurate view of the item.

Sell online on eBay or other web shops like Vinted, Poshmark, Depop, or Grailed.

Open your wardrobe today and start adding items – you never know how much money you might earn!

Sell your unwanted items

Start earning extra money with unwanted items! Take a look around your place and see what’s not needed anymore. Sell it for cash!

If storage is an issue, try online selling on eBay or the Amazon app. You can list products quickly and reach many buyers.

Local people might be interested in your stuff too. Try Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp. Upload photos and descriptions to attract customers. Remember to meet in public places for safety.

If online isn’t an option, have a garage sale or yard sale.

Investing

Investing can be a great option for students to earn extra cash. Although it can be complicated and risky, with knowledge it can be both profitable and rewarding.

Here, let’s look at the basics of investing and how to begin.

We’ll look at various options, like stocks, mutual funds, ETFs and index funds, that students aiming to start investing can consider.

Start investing in stocks

Investing in stocks can be a great way for students to gain extra money. With the right strategies, this could lead to long-term financial success!

However, understanding the risks is essential to making informed decisions and managing investments wisely.

Investing in stocks involves buying and selling shares of companies on a stock exchange. When purchasing shares, you are buying ownership in that company – in proportion to the number of shares purchased.

Prices of stocks fluctuate based on supply and demand – when more people want to buy than there are available shares, the price rises. On the other hand, if more people want to sell than there are buyers, the price drops.

For students wanting to invest, education is key.

It’s vital to understand how stocks work before trading them, as well as taking into account current market conditions/trends plus researching potential investment opportunities.

• Mutual funds and ETFs are good places for beginners to start, as they let you diversify investments by purchasing funds with multiple underlying assets such as stocks or bonds.
• Low-cost index funds offer exposure to broad segments like technology or international markets, without pricey management fees.
• Additionally, diversifying across sectors (e.g tech + healthcare + consumer staples) could be a successful technique if you’re after long-term gains.
• If you want quicker returns, consider actively trading by monitoring news and trends related to specific companies.

Invest in cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that has gained fame lately. Its decentralization and ease of entry make it a great investment for students.

But like any other type of investment, investing in cryptocurrency involves risks:

• The cost of cryptocurrency is volatile, there’s no assurance of quick earnings.
• Cryptocurrency markets are mostly unregulated, making it hard to decide which coins are worth investing in.
• Exchanges of cryptocurrency may have technical issues or security breaches that can lead to loss of money or theft.

To reduce these risks related to cryptocurrency investing, it is essential for prospective investors to conduct their own research and decide the risks before starting.

To get started with crypto, students should:

• Understand how cryptocurrencies work;
• Find out the different types of wallets that store coins;
• Compare various exchanges to find one that is user-friendly; and
• Get advice from experienced traders on discussion forums or social media groups prior to investing.

Side Hustles

If you’re a student looking to make extra cash, side hustles are a great way to go. Not only can they provide you with a steady income, but they can be really fun and rewarding too.

In this section, I’m going to show you how to make money with side hustles as a student.

I’ll go over some of the most popular side hustles, and provide some tips and advice on how to get started.

Become an Uber/Lyft driver

Got your own ride? Becoming an Uber or Lyft driver is a great way to make some extra cash while in college. You set your own hours and decide when to shuttle people. Research both services and figure out which is most profitable.

• Sign up, go through checks for fitness and safety for your car, then get real-time requests from customers.
• Rates depend on the ride. Uber and Lyft offer incentives for new drivers – $500-$1,000 bonuses depending on market.
• Earnings depend on how often you drive and type of passengers. Can be quite profitable for students who use their car during free times.

Become a pet sitter/dog walker

Love animals and have free time? Pet sitting and dog walking is ideal for you! It’s an easy way to earn extra money. Here are some tips on getting started:

• Sign up on online platforms, like Rover. You just need to show proof of your vaccinations/certifications, pass a background check, create an account, and upload your profile.
• Get certified in animal first aid or enroll in local programs teaching responsible animal care.
• Let everyone know about your new business. Use relevant keywords on social media and join Facebook groups. You can also post flyers around town.

Pet sitting and dog walking is great for students looking for additional income. Plus, it’s rewarding and fun!

Deliver food with food delivery apps

Food delivery apps are becoming a popular way for students to earn extra cash. This type of side hustle is attractive because it requires little to no start-up costs and can be done around other commitments. Drivers often have perks like flexible hours, fast payouts and tips.

To get started, you’ll need a smartphone or tablet with internet access and an approved vehicle. You must apply online by supplying information like your contact details, address, legal ID/driver’s license, SS number, vehicle info and proof of insurance.

Approval usually takes several hours up to two days.

Once approved, you can login and start accepting orders. You’ll earn money per order and any tips you get during delivery.

The key point is reliability: you must show up quickly and meet deadlines while providing good customer service. With practice, delivering food will become easy. Even novice drivers can make decent wages after a few deliveries!

How To Make Extra Cash as A Student

I hope this article has given you some insight into the many ways students can earn extra cash.

Whether it’s through side hustles, online gigs, or traditional jobs, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Just remember to stay motivated and keep your goals in mind, and you’ll be able to make some extra cash in no time.

Thanks for reading, and good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions