Are you looking for ways how to make money as a college student online?

Let's face it.

Going to college can be extremely expensive. It's where most student debts started. The tuition fees, dormitories, textbooks, projects, and daily living expenses are all tangled up.

The Federal Reserve estimates that Americans owed more than $1.7 trillion in student loans last year — an increase of nearly 4% compared to 2019. The decades-long increase in student debt is even more noticeable when compared to decades prior.

I guess you've tried to moonlight by doing those regular part-time gigs such as babysitting, pet sitting, delivery guy, or service crew. Of course, there's nothing to be ashamed of that. However, it's still not enough, right?

When I was in college, I, too, is simply broke. If it weren't for my parent's financial support, I wouldn't be able to finish my degree. I tried looking for ways to make extra money for my surging college education expenses, and boy was it hard!

I worked as a part-time tutor for an elementary student at that time, and I had to juggle my time both for my demanding academic schedule versus tutoring service. In the end, it helped me to get by.

Thankfully, we live in the .com world. As a college student, you can now find side hustles without leaving your home.

In this article, let's find some easy side-hustle ideas for college students to have extra cash. The good news is it's all online!!!!

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• 36 Best Ideas to Earn Extra Money in 2021 and the Future.
• Best Student Credit Cards to Build Credit in 2021.
• How to Build Excellent Credit Score- 9 Proven Ways.

21 Easy Online Jobs To Make Extra Money As A College Student

1. Freelancer

Potential Income: Varies per gig (niche and hours worked)
Investment Needed: Skills, technical equipment, shared co-working space.

As a freelancer or independent contractor, you decide what's the best time to work. You can also have more than one boss, and even travel around the world! Therefore, providing unlimited flexibility and income potential.  Although a freelancer's income varies on niche and skillset, according to a separate study by Payoneer in 2017, the average freelancer in the U.S earns $31 an hour.

Moreover, freelance rates can be much higher than the average, depending on the discipline you choose. For instance, in the tech environment (IT and Programming) freelance rate is generally higher.

Of course, there's also design and multimedia if you're keen on graphic and web design: Administrative and customer support, sales and marketing, legal services, and more.

To find where your potential clients are hanging out, check out Freelancer.com and Upwork. You may also check Linkedin and other social media sites, get other freelancers' referrals or from any recruitment firms, and pitch from your email list.

Related reads: Easy Freelance Jobs Online for Beginners to Get Started With Right Away

2. Virtual Assistant

Potential Income: from as low as $279 to as high as $2,394 per week
Investment Needed: Skills, desktop or laptop, dedicated working space, software, internet connection.

Entrepreneurs are cutting the cord on everything from web browsers to instant messaging. The digital revolution will continue to use mobile, virtual assistance, and digital transformation in the next ten years.

If you want to pursue a career in the online world, you may consider becoming a VA or virtual assistant. Not only is the pay promising for a college student like you, but according to Statista, “It is projected that in 2027, 86.5 million people will be freelancing in the United States and will make up 50.9 percent of the total U.S. workforce.“

As a virtual assistant, you provide administrative, clerical work, or customer support remotely to your boss. Take advantage of this as you can save money from it (no need to travel long hours from the office, work 100% from home) and some employers provide free training! (not hurt to learn something new.)

But then, the choice is yours if you can do this part-time or pursue it full-time. From there, you can build a career too!

3. Blogger

Potential Income: Varies
Investment Needed: Able to make quality content online that readers will read, laptop, stable internet connection.

Contrary to what others say, people still consume written media, and it's a growing business worldwide. Becoming a blogger is easy, but generating income from your website or blog will not happen overnight. You've got to have a lot of patience, and of course, the skill of a quality content article that people would read.

Plus a bit of knowledge on SEO, SEM, and all those necessary technical skills. For some, it started as a hobby, and from there, they learned how to monetize it.

So, if you can offer unique and rich content over a specific niche that you choose, make a blog and earn money out of it. You earn cash through affiliations, sponsorship, and paid partnerships. It's a trend! Besides, you will never get lost because there are many tutorials online to teach you how to get started right away.

Related reads: How Do Bloggers Make Money? Blogging For Beginners 101

4. Writer/Proofreader

Potential Income: Varies, $50+ per article
Investment Needed: Qualified skills, basic knowledge of how to write, technical equipment

There's no shortage of writing work online. You can do it as a freelance side-hustle or a full-time one too. Being a writer or a proofreader can be lucrative and flexible work. Perhaps, you can also offer to edit resumes and cover letters as many people struggle in doing so or don't have the time.

Like most freelancers, you can pick any gig you want, write about almost anything, and set your rates. Then, if you lack time for the whole composition, you can go try becoming a proofreader.

In my case, it started as a hobby, and then I think of something about how people will pay me for what I know I can do. In that case, writing became my bread and butter.

You don't necessarily have to earn a bachelor's degree or anything like that; as long as you know how to write copy and express, share sentiments with your readers, and deliver what exactly your boss wants, over time, you will improve. Write ON!

5. Data Entry

Potential Income: $10-$20 per hour
Investment Needed: Typing skills, up and running technical equipment.

Another easy way to make money as a college student online is data entry work. It is super easy and excellent online work, especially for college students, as it doesn't require any specialized skills.

If you are good at typing and have attention to detail, you can do this work effortlessly.

6. Paid Online Survey

Potential Income: $0.50 – $20 depending on the time used up
Investment Needed: Laptop or mobile smartphone and internet connection

If you really want to make money as a college student online, paid online survey is one thing you should look at. There are abundant free online surveys out there that offer monetary and even gift rewards for anyone willing to share their insights.

It depends on whether you will give an opinion on a specific brand or share a product review (some companies let you keep the product for free!)

Some also earn a bit of cash just by searching the net, playing video games, or shopping online. Know that completing an online survey doesn't offer huge cash, but others reportedly earn $50 or more per month just by taking a paid online survey.

However, remember that there will be instances when you will not be qualified for a particular focus group survey, or the payment may not be higher than what you expect. So, manage your time wisely and keep personal information safe.

Related reads:

• Top 10 Highest-Paying Survey Sites to Make Quick Money
• 17 Online Paid Focus Groups To Earn Extra Cash on the Side

7. Social Media Manager

Potential Income: $15 – $40 per hour
Investment Needed: Social media sharpness, stable internet connection, laptop or desktop

If you're already spending hours per week on social media, why not get paid for doing what you already do? Almost all businesses nowadays are trying to establish their presence online, and they need someone who knows current social media trends.

As a social media manager, you will handle various social platforms of the business, curate brand awareness or advertising campaigns, and increase their leads. In other words, you are the online voice of the company. Think you can do it? Go ahead!

8. Graphic Artist

Potential Income: Average $40 per hour
Investment Needed: Design and Multimedia skills, Knowledgeable to use photo and video editing software, laptop, desktop.

If you have an eye for graphic designs and multimedia arts, you can consider working as a graphic artist. It will be beneficial if you have the background knowledge and knows how to use editing software.

But if you don't have any idea but are still interested in graphic designs, you can take free online courses around the web. Then, if you're ready, reach out to small business owners and see if you can provide them with your service. Bring a sample of your work portfolio. You can also ask for referrals from your friends and neighbor.

You can typically create sample pins for Pinterest Marketing or create sample graphic ads or full website redesign. Since almost everybody consumes social media, graphic artists and designers are in demand today.

9. Web Developer

Potential Income: $20- $70 per hour
Investment Needed: Technical IT Skills

I bet you may be thinking already about programming language and coding. Well, guess what, you can learn everything! Therefore, even if you have a minimal background or experience developing websites, you can still become one. But for those whose major is in the IT field, plus points!

Typically, a website developer builds a website and performs any technical methods to keep the website running. You can learn to edit or modify existing sites first to not get overwhelmed by too much complex technicality for those new to the biz. This job is on-demand as well.

10. User Website Tester

Potential Income: $10- $60
Investment Needed: Recording app or software, laptop, desktop, honest review

Companies need someone who will act as a guinea pig for their various research or newly built websites and apps. If you're in for this side gig, make the call!

You need to record yourself using the product or live testing an app or their new website and share your insights about them. Right after it, which doesn't last for more than a 20-minute video or live call, you'll get paid immediately.

11. How to make money as a college student online? Become an Online Tutor!

Potential Income: $15 – $20 or more
Investment Needed: Mastery of a subject, time, internet

With the current pandemic, you can still make money through tutoring online. See, you can teach someone who needs your help (high schoolers or lower levels) in a specific subject without you, inching a move from your house.

Most tutorial sessions are held on Zoom, or Skype lives call. What you can do is tap into your academic strengths and share what you know about them. You can also offer coaching or consultation and even provide more than just academic scope, such as music, painting, calligraphy, etc.

12. English Teacher Online

Potential Income: $14- $22 per hour
Investment Needed: Time, Teaching skills or bachelor's degree, certifications, technical requirements.

Due to globalization, many students are expanding their knowledge by learning a second language. For most non-English speakers, it will help them a lot to learn from actual English speakers.

So, get your ESL (English as a Second Language) or TESOL (Teach English as a Second Language) certification now. If you're a teacher, great! If not, you can still apply and get certified.

Most students you'll teach are Asian kids, so you must adapt to the difference in time zones.

13. Vlogger

Potential Income: Varies or $8 for every 1,000 views of each video
Investment Needed: Camera, smartphone, content, yourself

If you're quite comfortable in a video format, a nice side-gig for you can be a vlogger. Many young college students are into it right now due to the popularity of video-sharing apps and vlogs all around the internet.

You get paid through sponsorship or paid partnership with brands. It is easy to get started; however, you will not get the expected result right away. It takes time to grow your subscribers and create awesome content.

Most vloggers you see today started on Youtube as a hobby and later turned it on into something that would bring money. From there, you can also become a social media influencer, how cool is that!

In addition to that, vlogging can be a career you can devote full-time. Overall, it's still a good side-hustle for college students. Many “content creators,” said 9-5 life doesn't work for them, and vlogging paved the way to that; well, it depends. Our advice is don't quit your day job if you have one; vlogging can be used as a means of passive income.

14. Transcription

Potential Income: $15-$25 or more
Investment Needed: Typing skills, technical equipment.

Transcribing is also one of the easiest ways to make money as a college student online. It requires little to no prior experience but good typing skills. It can give flexible hours and workloads.

As a transcriptionist, you listen to an audio file and type what you hear, more like transcribing an audio or video file into written words. For instance, podcasters need this type of work to let their podcast episode get converted into written words and phrases.

You can earn $15-$25 or higher in transcribing, especially if you decided to get serious about it by jumping into the legal and medical transcribing field. It pays relatively decent.

15. Translator

Potential Income: $4,000/monthly
Investment Needed: Bi-or Multi-Lingual Skills, Internet Connection

If you speak a language or two, you can become a translator. Usually, this type of work is available in different formats like oral translation or written work.

Some websites will allow you to sign up without any extensive requirements or degrees. But, you need to show off some sample translation work you've done before to prove to them you can do the job. The following are some fields you can choose in the translation world.

• Health or medical translators: Help patients communicate with nurses, physicians, technicians, and other medical staff.
• Legal or judiciary translators: At trials or hearings, they help individuals who have limited English proficiency.
• Literary translators: Converts short stories, poetry, books, and journal articles from one language to another.
• Localizers: Adapt the text for a service or product from one language to another, a localization task.

16. How to make money as a college student online? Be an Online Seller

Potential Income: Varies
Investment Needed: Product/Service to offer, internet connection, technical equipment.

If you have a product or any unwanted stuff you want to get rid of and sell, you can easily set up your online store and be an online seller. There's the Facebook marketplace, for starters. Take good photos of your stuff and upload them online.

For the artist in you, you can sell your crafts and arts on Etsy. Amazon is the leading online shop too. There's also eBay. You can sell your skills and find gigs on Fiverr on the service side.

On the other hand, if you're into photographs, you can sell your gorgeous photos and earn real cash from them through stock photo selling.

Being an online seller doesn't need much capital, except for an idea, product, service, and time you will invest, but overall it still can be an excellent way to earn extra cash.

17. Create an online course

Potential Income: Varies
Investment Needed: Yourself and IT equipment

Suppose you know how to teach and have vast knowledge in a particular subject like SEO, Creative Writing, Personality Development, Calligraphy, etc. In that case, you can create an online course and share it with the world.

Platforms such as Skillshare and Udemy can be a good start.

Make sure that you prepare beforehand any certifications your potential clients ask of you. As a college student, you can pick up a few subjects first and expand yourself.

Since it is an online course, you have the freedom to choose how much to charge your clients. Remember to factor in your qualifications, costs, and time. You should be able to give value to them in return. It should be something that will help them and will actually be able to teach them something.

18. Sell your notes

Potential Income: Varies or $4 for a set of notes
Investment Needed: Class notes and lectures

Did you know that you can turn your class notes, study guides, and exam solutions into real cold cash?

Aside from its sustainability, you get the chance to help fellow students too in their studies or exams.

Websites like Course Hero and Nexus Notes let you upload your notes and sell them online for cash. It is a pretty good money-making idea for college students to earn some money online.

Although some call for the integrity of selling or sharing notes online, I think it depends on the person and the school policy. As long as it's free of copyright issues and it's legal in the state you're living in, sharing notes is okay.

To earn money out of it, make sure to use effective keywords, make it affordable and student-friendly, and be creative. Also, make sure to get the word out and advertise it online on dedicated websites that allow note sharing and selling.

Or more so, you can sell your notes in small classes or departmental level classes.

19. Be a Tasker

Potential Income: $15 hourly
Investment Needed: Time and yourself (fixing and repair skills for specialized tasks)

Do you have spare time for the next class and want to make money from it? Sign up now as a tasker at TaskRabbit. Usually, those tasks are offline, like fixing and repairing, moving, painting, yard work, etc.

Some of these tasks don't require previous experiences like delivery or errands, but they make a reasonably decent amount of money. Plus, you may even get some tips from generous clients.

By providing service, you help people save their time, especially the busy ones, plus earn money.

20. Delivery Service

Potential Income: $15 or more hourly
Investment Needed: Time, Vehicle

Delivery services like food and groceries or ride-sharing is one lucrative way to earn real cash today. As a college student, you can take advantage of that!

For example, you can sign up in Doordash and keep 100% of the delivery fees! DoorDash makes money by charging the restaurants, not you! Some earned even $500 in a month.

Delivery service has been growing nationwide, and more and more restaurants are signing up, so you can likely find gigs in your area. Aside from that, you can also be a personal shopper in Instacart!

Related reads: How To Make The Most Money As An Instacart Shopper

21. Buy and sell textbooks

Potential Income: Varies
Investment Needed: Used textbooks and an online marketplace

Textbooks can be expensive, but what do you do once the semester ends? You can still get back even a bit of your money by selling it. In doing so, you help other students get access to affordable resources plus, you make money.

It can be a decent side-hustle for college students, and if you want to set it higher, you can look for the best price online, buy it at a discount price, and sell it with your markup price. You can also sell it back to universities or thrift stores.

How to make money as a college student online?

There's the traditional offline way like babysitting, service crew, or delivery guy.

But you can also go online and become a freelance writer or blogger.

With so many opportunities available, you can make money as a college student online. You can choose any from the list stated or search for more. Additionally, you may even want to take the entrepreneurial side by establishing your online business.

So, here you go. You can certainly start with these 21 ideas for making money as a college student online. Go ahead and boost your wallet!

How to manage time between side hustle and college?

There are so many reasons why you may want to explore side-hustle opportunities while still in college. Well, aside from additional allowance, earning real cash even before you graduate will set you up for a sound financial state, provided you manage it well.

It may also get difficult to balance between work and study, so how do you do?

First, you have to set your priorities straight and schedule them. Work on your class schedule and work schedule to not let each other get in the way of each other. Solidify your inner “why” so that you will be reminded of why you're doing this when times are hard.

Next, let your family, advisor, and boss know. Let them know that you have a strict schedule, and why you're doing it, and ask for their support when needed. It may be exhausting at times, but you have to let those who care for you know it.

Lastly, take care of yourself. There are easy and less easy ways of making money as a college student online, so you have to still keep yourself in check. Don't be too hard on yourself and learn to juggle and balance life. Take care of what you have on your plate as of now.

How to make money as a college student online- Final thoughts

In a nutshell, making money as a college student online is endless. There's no excuse now about where to find jobs and how not to get intimidated without experience.

Besides making money online, another thing that can aid in your education is applying for scholarships. Most people don't apply because they don't use it or have an idea how it works, but applying for scholarships won't hurt, and it can give financial assistance up to $500-$1000.

You can also join paid volunteer or internship program if your school has one. Soon, you'll be making money as a college student online from low to higher-income earnings.

The point is to start now because it is the perfect time to make money.

If you have any ideas to make money as a college student online apart from those listed above, please comment below. Let us hear your thoughts.

And, if you are already hustling, let us know your experience; we love to hear from you!