Supplemental Income for College Students

There comes a time in a college student's life where he or she may realize they are running worryingly low on funds for even basic survival. It's very difficult to undergo a heavy course load while working during the same time frame. Even if you do find a job, you probably won't be able to work many hours. You'll then have to find a way to muster up money to provide for yourself to buy food, gas, and toiletries for the week. This can get very difficult when you live in an apartment and have other bills to pay as well.

What can you do to supplement income in college when a job doesn't pay much?

• Take part in university studies or experiments. Depending on your university campus you can do can take part in research experiments with fMRI, memory games, etc in the psychology department which can pay around $15 per hour. Of course other departments such as economics, nutrition, and others hold experiments that you can get in to. I've heard an account of someone injected with a small pox vaccine and payed $300 to do so. You have to to know where to look for these experiments. Fortunately, it's not a major commitment or time consumer, so you can still have time for your studies and come back whenever you have the time. 

• Donate blood plasma. "Blood plasma is the yellow liquid component of blood in which the blood cells in whole blood are normally suspended. It makes up about 55% of the total blood volume." There are generally plasma donation centers on or near many university campuses. You can stand to make nearly $200 a month if you stick with it.

• Use websites like eBay and Etsy to your advantage. Do you have old stuff that you could sell? Sell it on eBay. Do you enjoy making crafty things? Sell it on Etsy in your spare time.

• If you have a special talent that would draw a crowd and you live in a college town with enough people, you can try busking or performing on the streets. If you play an instrument, for example, you can set up and play for awhile and leave a jar or box out for donations. If you're good, you may be able to pick up a good amount of money.

• If you have the skill of cutting hair you can advertise around campus for your skills. Haircuts are a hot item on college campuses.

• Do you have technological skill? Advertise to help people with their computers and gadgets. Many people are looking for help.

• Try signing up with ChaCha at becomeaguide.chacha.com. You can make yourself $150+ if done properly.

• If you are male you can look into sperm donation. If you are a woman, and this takes much more dedication, you can look into egg donation.