How to Make Money in School as a Student

Students often seek ways to manage their finances while pursuing their education. Balancing academic commitments with the need for financial resources can be a significant challenge. Fortunately, various avenues exist for students to earn money, offering flexibility to accommodate diverse schedules and skill sets. These opportunities range from traditional employment to leveraging specific talents or engaging in online activities.

On-Campus Job Opportunities

Working directly on campus offers distinct advantages for students seeking employment. These positions often provide flexible hours that align with academic schedules, minimizing commute time and allowing students to prioritize their studies. Universities typically employ students in roles such as library assistants, administrative support staff, dining hall workers, and resident advisors. Many campuses also offer positions like peer tutors, research assistants, and tour guides, which can sometimes relate directly to a student’s field of study.

Students can find these opportunities through their university’s career services department, online job boards, or by directly inquiring with academic departments and student services offices. Federal Work-Study, a federally subsidized financial aid program, provides part-time jobs for eligible students, allowing them to earn money for educational expenses. While work-study eligibility is determined by financial aid applications, students still need to apply for and secure specific positions.

A significant benefit of on-campus employment is the potential for exemption from certain taxes. Student workers are generally exempt from Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes, which include Social Security and Medicare, as long as they are enrolled for a qualifying number of credits and their employment is incidental to their studies. However, federal and state income taxes still apply to their earnings. Students typically complete a Form W-4 to determine the correct amount of federal income tax withholding from their paychecks.

Off-Campus Part-Time Work

Beyond the university, numerous part-time employment options are available locally. These roles often include retail, food service, and hospitality positions, such as sales associates, baristas, or restaurant servers. Other common opportunities are in administrative support or general labor. The gig economy also provides flexible options like delivery services.

Students can locate these jobs through online job boards, by directly approaching local businesses, or through networking connections. When employed by a company, students complete a Form W-4. All earned income, including hourly wages and tips, is subject to federal income tax.

Tax Considerations for Self-Employment

For students engaging in self-employment activities, such as babysitting or lawn mowing, different tax rules apply. Earnings from these independent activities are subject to income tax.

If net income from self-employment reaches $400 or more annually, students must pay self-employment tax, covering Social Security and Medicare contributions. This income and related expenses are reported on Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) of their tax return, and self-employment tax is calculated on Schedule SE (Self-Employment Tax).

If a single client pays a student $600 or more for services as an independent contractor, that client generally issues a Form 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation) to the student and the IRS. All income from these activities must be reported on Schedule C, regardless of whether a 1099-NEC is received. Maintaining detailed records of income and business expenses is important for accurate tax reporting.

Skill-Based Earning Ventures

Students can monetize their academic knowledge, talents, or learned skills through various ventures. Tutoring is a common option, where students can offer assistance in academic subjects or test preparation. Creative and technical skills are highly marketable, including freelance writing, graphic design, web development, social media management, and video editing. Other specialized services like pet sitting, music lessons, or tech support can also generate income.

Identifying marketable skills involves recognizing areas of personal expertise or training that others might need assistance with. To attract clients, building a basic portfolio or resume showcasing examples of past work is beneficial. Students can find clients through campus bulletin boards, online freelance platforms, or by word-of-mouth referrals. Setting competitive rates should consider the value of the service provided, the student’s experience level, and prevailing market prices for similar work.

Online and Passive Income Streams

Numerous online avenues offer flexible and low-effort ways for students to earn money, often requiring minimal direct engagement once set up. Participating in paid online surveys is one method, where individuals provide opinions for small payments. Micro-task websites offer quick earnings for completing small, simple tasks like data entry, image tagging, or testing websites and apps. Platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk, Swagbucks, and Clickworker are examples.

Selling old textbooks or unused personal items online is another accessible income stream. Marketplaces such as BookScouter, BooksRun, CampusBooks, eBay, and Amazon allow students to list and sell their used goods. This method helps declutter while providing a return on previously purchased items.