Are you looking for ways on how to earn a living while still studying for graduate school? It must be difficult, knowing that you are bogged down with tons of work and papers on a daily basis. Graduate school is no joke, nor are the tuition fees that you have to pay. Luckily for you, there are alternative ways for you to earn an income even while you are studying.

When should a graduate student look for alternative modes of income?

The main reason why graduate students are in a financial bind is because of tuition fees. Of course, that would be their first priority, but a student has other needs that should be met in order for them to have a healthy and successful graduate education.

Here are some reasons why graduate students should find alternative modes of income:

a. When they do not have access to free lodging at school and have to rent out an apartment off-campus.

Real estate options around campuses are extremely expensive. That is why some students choose to live at home and commute to their schools. Unfortunately for many, that is not an option. Once a student decides to live out of state, they need to rent an apartment, a dorm room, or even a house.

b. When they do not have enough food allowance.

Students need sustenance in order to power their brains. If all your finances are going to your school and lodging, you may not have enough even for a cup of instant ramen. Some schools offer cafeteria cards, but some do not. In this case, students need to go off-campus to eat or pay for their food at the cafeteria.

c. When they have to pay for school supplies and books.

Let us say that your tuition fee, lodging, and food allowance is covered. You have to take into consideration the materials you will need to pass your classes. First of all, you will need books. Second, you may want to stock up on basic school supplies. Apart from that, you must have a budget for photocopies, printing, internet access, and much more. Lastly, you need to set aside a huge amount of money for your final thesis.

What can you do to earn more money while studying?

1. Get a part-time job.

Make sure that your job can accommodate your hectic schedule. Most graduate classes are scheduled at night or on weekends. This gives you a lot of extra time in theory, but you may need that time to study. A part-time job can help alleviate your financial problems, but it could also be detrimental to your studies. Choose a job that has a flexible schedule and one that does not require you to work outside of business hours.

2. Sell your stuff.

Each year, your academic materials will end up gathering dust in your closet. Make some money out of it by selling it to a people from a lower batch. Apart from that, you can also sell your personal stuff, such as unused clothes, bulky furniture, or even your collectibles. You can even go back home and set up a garage sale.

3. Work at your school.

Student worker programs are issued in many schools. If your school offers that, you may apply. The work that it entails is purely administrative, such as serving as an assistant, receptionist, and errand runner. Some schools pay for your whole tuition, while others offer discounts, loan options, and other benefits. Once you have those, your financial problems will be much, much lighter.

4. Apply for an online freelance job.

Since you’re a graduate student, you have the necessary skills to apply for a job online. Whether it’s purely technical, administrative, or writing jobs, you have what it takes to apply and get recruited immediately. The best writers online are usually those who already have a bachelor’s degree like you. The best part about it is that these jobs have flexible schedules.

5. Tutoring.

This gives you a two-fold benefit in terms of your studies. You can charge other students to get tutoring lessons from you on the same subjects that you are taking. You can also use your free time to tutor students in minor subjects. If you want to save time, you can write your own reviewers and sell them to other students as well.

6. Start an online shop.

The great thing about starting your online business is that it lets you control your income from the comfort of your dorm room. Ordering supplies, shipping, payments – all of those can be handled online. Make sure that you choose a profitable product so that you can make the most out of your sales while having enough time to study and pass your classes.

7. Join a research team related to your field of study.

Again, this counts as a double-sided benefit. Some studies are funded well enough to pay their researchers and research assistants. If you end up working for someone who is studying the graduate degree you are working on, you also get to learn more and add beneficial information for your future academic work. Not only that, it will look extremely impressive on your resume.

8. Be an Uber or Lyft driver in your spare time.

If you have a car, use it when you have free time at night. The extra income alone will pay for your gas, as well as the expenses you need for school. Just make sure that you have calculated the outcomes of this plan. Some Uber and Lyft services don’t earn as much as they need, while others earn a lot more than their fellow drivers. It all depends on where you are, the traffic situation in your area, and the number of people who use these driving service applications.

9. Be an Online English Tutor.

The surprising thing about English tutoring is that it pays a lot. Many non-English speaking individuals are adamant to learn conversational English. There are more than enough services that you can look into. With your background, you can pass the test on paper, but you will also have to practice your vocal skills. Once you get a job like that, you can work a few hours a day for a lot of money.

10. Write Kindle Books.

Many people are looking to self-published Kindle books for help in numerous areas of their lives. Whether it’s pet care, gardening, or anything under the sun, Amazon subscribers will buy it if they need it. The great thing about writing a helpful Kindle book is that you have all the resources at your disposal. All you need to do is write it in an e-book format. This will take a bit of time on your part, so make sure to do this during the summer. Reference all your sources and sell it on Amazon.

Although some graduate programs do not allow students to work while studying, you have more than enough options here to avoid crossing that line. Selling your stuff is not considered a job, nor is writing a book. You just have to check with your superiors to see if you can handle any of these offers for additional income.