A Brown University student recently launched a hangover-relief gel stick that’s raised over $400K from investors. Hearing stories like this inspires students everywhere to build something of their own but many get stuck at the idea stage.
In this guide, we’ll cover 9 ways to start making money online as a college student.
Every idea here meets three critical criteria:
- Works around your class schedule
- Requires minimal startup costs
- Can be launched within a week
1. Start a niche study blog or guide
You can write about subjects you’re already taking and are good at. On your blog, answer the questions everyone keeps asking in group chats. These posts rank in Google because they’re specific, which means they’ll bring traffic while you’re sitting in other lectures.
How to make money:
- Affiliate links: Join Amazon Associates (8–10% commission) or Chegg’s textbook program (15% per sale). When you mention books or tools in your posts, add affiliate links.
- Study guides: Package your best notes into a 10-page PDF solving one specific problem, like lab prep or exam review. Charge $3 to $5 and sell it on Gumroad.
- Discord membership: Host two study sessions per week at consistent times. Charge $5/month. Twenty members gets you $100 monthly.
- Traffic: Answer questions on Reddit and Quora that relate to your posts. Link back to your detailed guides when it’s genuinely helpful, not promotional.
7-day launch plan:
- Day 1: List 10 questions everyone asks in your hardest class
- Day 2: Write detailed answers (use ChatGPT to help structure)
- Day 3: Launch a basic blog with Anything
- Day 4: Add a simple Canva header and publish your first post
- Day 5: Join an affiliate program and add links where they fit naturally
- Day 6: Turn your notes into a $3 PDF
- Day 7: Share in class group chats and see which topics get clicks
2. Offer AI-powered tutoring and note summaries
Use AI to create study materials and lesson plans while you handle the actual teaching. Since you already understand the material, explaining it comes naturally.
The idea isn’t new. StudySoup, a student-founded marketplace launched on campus, proved that classmates will pay for high-quality notes and study guides. It grew from a dorm-room project into a nationwide platform connecting thousands of students.
How to make money:
- Tutoring packages: Charge $25/hour for single sessions, $80 for four weekly sessions, or $45/hour for exam prep (minimum 3 hours). Use AI to generate custom materials for each student.
- Platform strategy: Start on Wyzant at $20–30/hour. After five positive reviews, use a Google Form for direct bookings at $35–40/hour and skip the commission.
- Study guides: Sell AI-generated subject reviews for $15. Charge $5–10 extra to customize them for specific textbooks or professors.
- Templates: After 10 clients, turn common questions into reusable templates you can personalize quickly, dropping prep time from two hours to 30 minutes per student.
7-day plan:
- Day 1: Pick your subject and set rates
- Day 2: Build a profile with sample materials
- Day 3: Post on two tutoring platforms
- Day 4: Generate a study guide with AI
- Day 5: Share a free sample in student Facebook groups
- Day 6: Message 5-10 potential students
- Day 7: Deliver first paid session with AI-generated recap notes
3. Sell AI-generated resume and cover letter services
Most people hate writing about themselves and will pay for clean, professional results delivered fast. You can use AI to write resumes and cover letters, then customize them for each client.
How to make money:
- Service packages: Basic resume ($25), Resume + Cover Letter ($45), Full Package with LinkedIn optimization ($75). Add a $10–15 rush fee for 24-hour delivery.
- Getting clients: Start on Fiverr by pricing $5–10 below market rate. After five reviews, raise prices by $5 every few positive reviews. Post on campus job boards and LinkedIn targeting graduating seniors for higher direct rates.
- Follow-up offers: Email clients seven days after delivery offering a “resume refresh” for different positions at $15. About 30% accept.
- Referrals: Give 20% off when they refer a friend. Check in three months later to offer updates since most job searches last three to six months.
7-day plan:
- Day 1: Set two package options and prices
- Day 2: Build a Canva template and test ChatGPT prompts
- Day 3: Open Fiverr and Upwork profiles with samples
- Day 4: Do three free trials for classmates in exchange for testimonials
- Day 5: Refine templates and add Google Form for intake
- Day 6: Post in campus groups
- Day 7: Deliver first paid order, get a review, raise price by $5
4. Create a campus deals or events app
You already know where the best deals and events are, so why not build a site or app that lists student discounts and campus events?
How to make money:
- Business listings: Free basic listings, $25/month for featured placement, $75/month for premium with push notifications.
- Student memberships: Charge $2/month for exclusive deals (negotiate extra 5-10% off with businesses) and early event access.
- Event packages: During homecoming, finals week, or orientation, sell 5- to 7-day promotional packages for $100–200.
- Pitching businesses: Target places with student discounts but poor visibility. Show them your app reaches hundreds of students for less than print flyers cost ($150–300 per thousand).
7-day plan:
- Day 1: List ten popular venues and their weekly specials
- Day 2: Build app layout in Anything
- Day 3: Add deals to Google Sheet and connect via API
- Day 4: Invite two businesses to test featured spots
- Day 5: Set up $2 membership with Stripe
- Day 6: Beta launch in dorm group chat
- Day 7: Get feedback and pitch three more businesses
5. Sell digital planners or study tools
Students buy template study tools because they save hours of setup during exam season, and digital products sell automatically without inventory or shipping. You can create PDF planners or Notion templates based on the organizational systems you already use for classes.
How to make money:
- Product tiers: Basic semester planner ($4), Premium with GPA tracking ($12), Complete bundle with multiple templates ($20). Start with three products that work together.
- Where to sell: List on both Gumroad (5% fee) and Etsy (6.5% fee). Etsy brings discovery, Gumroad gives better margins for social media traffic.
- Getting buyers: Create 2–3 free sample pages (like “Finals Week Priority Planner”) in exchange for email signups. Market premium versions at semester starts when students are most motivated to get organized.
7-day plan:
- Day 1: List the planner sections classmates ask to copy from you
- Day 2: Design core pages in Canva with consistent fonts and colors
- Day 3: Export as PDF or import into Notion
- Day 4: Write product descriptions
- Day 5: Upload to Gumroad or Shopify student store
- Day 6: Share walkthrough on Instagram Stories
- Day 7: Offer 24-hour “first buyer” discount to get initial sale and testimonial
6. Start a niche newsletter or podcast
Pick a specific topic and publish regular emails or audio episodes. You don’t need thousands of subscribers to make money, just 100 engaged readers is enough to start charging local sponsors.
How to make money:
- Local sponsors: Start with 100+ subscribers and pitch campus coffee shops or bookstores $25–50 for a newsletter mention. Use the $1–2 per 100 subscribers formula for pricing. Offer $25 for one mention, $65 for three to encourage commitments.
- Premium subscriptions: Give weekly content free, charge $5/month for extras like templates, early access, or Q&A sessions. Expect 3–5% of free subscribers to convert after you’ve built consistent value.
- Package deals: Bundle newsletter sponsorship + social media mention + podcast ad for $100 total, giving sponsors more value and you higher revenue per client.
7-day plan:
- Day 1: Pick your niche and write a one-sentence promise
- Day 2: Create free Substack or Spotify account
- Day 3: Outline four episode or issue ideas
- Day 4: Record or write first piece (5 minutes audio or 600 words)
- Day 5: Design simple cover in Canva and add signup links to socials
- Day 6: Publish and DM ten friends for feedback
- Day 7: Post teaser clip or quote on social media
7. Offer social media caption or design services
Create captions and graphics for businesses that need consistent content. You already use Instagram and TikTok daily, and businesses care more about content that performs than whether you have a design degree.
How to make money:
- Service packages: Caption Pack (10 captions for $25), Visual Pack (10 graphics with captions for $45), Full Pack (10 complete posts for $75). Add 30% for 24- to 48-hour rush delivery.
- Getting clients: Approach 3-5 campus-area businesses posting inconsistently. Offer a free audit showing three improvements, then pitch your packages as the fix.
- Monthly retainers: After first delivery, offer 40 posts monthly for $180 (saves them $100 versus one-off pricing). Pitch consistency and time savings.
- Scheduling upsells: Add Later or Hootsuite scheduling service for $50/month extra once you have steady clients.
7-day plan:
- Day 1: Pick a niche (cafes, student startups, campus events)
- Day 2: Create five sample posts in Canva
- Day 3: Write captions with ChatGPT
- Day 4: Post portfolio on Fiverr
- Day 5: Share service in campus groups
- Day 6: Offer discounted first package to first three clients
- Day 7: Get feedback and set up retainer page in Anything
8. Build a student discount or freelancing portal
Create a site connecting students with local deals and peer services like tutoring, rides, or note-sharing. Businesses need student customers, students need savings, and charging small fees on each transaction allows you to make money.
How to make money:
- Business listings: Free basic listings, $5–15/month for featured placement with photos, $25–40/month for premium with push notifications. Aim for 20% of businesses upgrading.
- Transaction fees: Take 10% commission on student-to-student gigs (lower than the 20–30% other platforms charge). Compete on being local and budget-friendly.
- Student memberships: Charge $2/month for extra discounts (negotiate additional 5–10% off with businesses), early deal access, and zero commission on their freelance earnings.
- Sponsored listings: Pitch student organizations and campus departments $50–100/semester to highlight their events and opportunities.
7-day plan:
- Day 1: Name your portal and pick three categories (food deals, campus services, freelance jobs)
- Day 2: Build basic site in Anything and connect database
- Day 3: Create logo and banner in Canva
- Day 4: Add Stripe checkout for $5 listing fee
- Day 5: Get two local cafés to post deals and add your own service
- Day 6: Share in group chats and collect feedback
- Day 7: Set up automated confirmations and weekly “new deals” email
9. Launch a digital habit tracker or budgeting app
You can build a simple app helping students track routines or money. In Anything’s AI app builder, use a prompt like: “Create a ‘Student Habit Tracker’ app with authentication, daily check-ins, spending log, progress chart, and Stripe integration.”
How to make money:
- Subscription tiers: Free (basic tracking), Student Plan ($3/month for full features and reminders), Lifetime Access ($15 one-time). Price the monthly low enough for impulse buys but make lifetime the obvious better deal.
- Timing promotions: Push subscriptions during semester starts, midterms, and finals with 48-hour discounts. Students are most motivated during high-stress periods.
- Organization licenses: Pitch student clubs, fraternities, and sports teams custom-branded versions at $50–100/semester. Sell accountability and group tracking.
- Department versions: After validating with general students, create specialized versions for majors (Engineering Study Tracker, Nursing Tracker) and charge $5/month for the added relevance.
7-day plan:
- Day 1: Collect three pain points from peers
- Day 2: Ask Anything to create minimal feature set
- Day 3: Build UI and test basic functionality
- Day 4: Connect data storage
- Day 5: Add Stripe and test payments
- Day 6: Publish app link
- Day 7: Promote in group chats and watch for first sale
Start building your student income stream today
The difference between students who make money online and those who don’t isn’t talent or luck. It’s taking action on an idea and sticking to it.
And AI app builders like Anything can help you bring your ideas to life quickly, using natural language prompts.
Get started with Anything. What will you build this week?
