How To Make Money While In Grad School Domain_10

Updated: February 2021

Let's face it, during grad school you're likely to be strapped for cash. Even once you have your budget under control, the majority of your stipend may go toward necessities like rent and food. So it's unsurprising that most graduate students report some degree of stress about money.

Whether you're paying off student loans, trying to grow your savings, or just looking for some spending money, a little extra cash can go a long way.

This article contains a list of ways graduate students and postdocs can make extra money. Some of them are easy ways to make a few extra bucks, others require a substantial time commitment and offer proportionally higher payout. As with any major extra-academic activity, if you are considering a side hustle that will take a substantial amount of time, be sure to get the ok from your advisor first. Your primary commitment is to your academic position.

Hopefully these tips will help you get through your training with a little less financial stress!

This article contains affiliate links. If you choose to sign up for some of these sites or services, please consider using the links below as this helps me continue to create new content for Graduate Debris.

A Little Money, Fast

Here are some ways to earn a small amount of cash relatively quickly. It won't be a life-changing amount, but it can definitely get you some extra spending money each week.

1. Online Surveys

Companies are constantly seeking input on how their products are perceived by potential consumers, and they are willing to pay you for your thoughts and impressions. survey-junkie

Survey Junkie lets you earn money by filling out online surveys about consumer products that match your interests. It's a great way to earn a few extra bucks while watching TV or a lecture.

2. Cash Back on Things You Already Buy

MyPoints gives you cash back when you buy things from thousands of different retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, and more.

Any time you buy something from a supported retailer, you earn points which you can redeem for gift cards to places like Amazon. They also offer paid surveys, similar to Swagbucks. And if you sign up using this link, you will get a $10 Amazon after you make your first purchase.

3. Focus Groups

Focus groups take more time than surveys (15 minutes to an hour or more), and they also pay quite a bit more. In my experience, you have to apply to several groups before you get picked for one, but once you are selected they pay pretty well. I got paid $40 through User Interviews for a 30 minute video call where I gave feedback on different menu screens for a new electronic pipettor.

Cash Back, Student Deals, And More

When it comes to putting extra money in your pocket, paying less for the things you buy is just as effective as earning extra cash. Here are some simple tools to help you keep more of your hard-earned money.

4. Free Amazon Prime

If you're still paying for shipping on Amazon – or paying full price for an Amazon Prime membership – then you're throwing money away.

That's because with this link students can get 6 months of Amazon Prime for free. This gives you free 2-day shipping, access to Prime video, free ebooks, and other perks. After the 6-month trial, students get 50% off the normal Prime membership rate. It's an amazing deal that my wife and I milked as long as we could, starting when I was in grad school and switching to her account when I graduated and she started her PhD.

5. Apply Discount Codes Automatically

Honey is a browser extension that can save you serious money with almost no effort.

When you go to check out at an eligible online store, you'll get a pop-up saying they found coupon codes. With one click it will try a bunch of different coupon codes in a matter of seconds, leaving you with whatever gives you the best deal.

6. Buy or Sell Unwanted Gift Cards

Who hasn't received a gift card for a birthday or holiday, only to let it sit unused on your dresser for years? If you have gift cards you're not going to use (even with partial balances left), you can sell them to someone who wants them on Raise. Someone else buys your gift card for slightly less than face value, and you get to turn that Hello Kitty Store credit into cash!

Buying discounted gift cards on Raise is also a great way to save money on things you were planning to buy anyway. You can get sizable discounts on things like movie tickets, restaurants, even big ticket purchases you're planning at stores like Best Buy or Target.6

Earn Money While Building Your Academic Credentials

7. TA or Teach Extra Courses

Many graduate programs require students to TA a certain number of course hours, and that labor gets baked into your stipend. In many cases, if you opt to TA additional classes you'll get paid something extra, above and beyond your regular pay. This can be a sizable amount of extra income, and if you enjoy teaching or are thinking of pursuing a career in academia then this can also provide useful professional experience. Check with your university or graduate program to learn what options exist.

8. Tutoring

If you enjoy teaching but you don't have the time to commit to TAing, tutoring can be a great way to earn some extra cash. In addition to tutoring opportunities through your university, there are tons of websites dedicated to matching tutors with students. Wyzant , Tutors.com , TutorMe , and Preply , to name a few. Native English speakers tutoring competitive subjects like STEM disciplines can often get $20-40 per hour, sometimes more if you have bonus credentials like a higher degree or a big-name school on your CV.

9. Freelance Scientific Editing

Many students and postdocs will be shocked to hear that people will actually PAY you to edit their manuscript or poster or thesis before they submit it. Technical writing is another critical skill you gain throughout graduate school, and if you have an interest and some extra time it can be a good way to supplement that stipend.Scribbr hires freelance editors, as long as you're able to commit at least 10 hours per week. And if you get hired as a freelancer byPRS, they will actually pay you to attend an online course on scientific editing before you start.

Start A Side Hustle

10. Monetize Your Hobbies

Are you artistic? Musical? Do you know your way around coding or web design? If you have skills, Skillshare will pay you to teach it to others through video courses.

It's a great way to turn your creative outlet into an extra income stream. And if you use this link you can get a free trial to explore some of their classes for yourself.

11. Sell Your Original Artwork

If you're adept at art and design,Zazzle lets you sell your custom designs on products like T-shirts, face masks, water bottles, cards, and more. It's a great way to start selling your art with basically no upfront cost.

12. Try Freelance Work

Fiverr is an online marketplace where you offer your services to companies or individuals looking for freelance work. The options span many different types of skills, including graphic design, voice over, web design, translation, and more. You list yourself as a freelancer with a specific skillset, and potential customers contact you about specific jobs.

task-rabbit

Are you more the handy type than the creative type? On TaskRabbit you can get paid to do a whole range of household tasks, like assembling Ikea furniture, delivering groceries, even gardening. Do as much or as little as you want and pick jobs that fit your schedule.

It's totally normal to feel stressed about money at some point during graduate school. Try to remember that this too shall pass! Grad school won't last forever and chances are good that your next position will offer a bit more financial security – even if that's a modest bump to a postdoc salary.

For the time being, whether you have a few extra minutes or several hours per week, there are plenty of ways you can put some extra cash in your pocket. Every little bit helps!