8 Best Ways To Get Paid To Go To School

You know that sinking feeling when you look at college tuition prices? Yeah, I see that same expression on my clients’ faces all the time.

But here’s something most people don’t know, there are actually legitimate ways to get paid to go to school. Not just “free” education, but actual money in your pocket while you earn your degree.

I’ve been helping families navigate education financing for over a decade, and I’ve watched students graduate debt-free while their classmates racked up $50,000+ in loans.

The difference? They knew about opportunities that most people never hear about.

Look, I’m not talking about get-rich-quick schemes or anything shady.

These are real programs backed by the government, corporations, and organizations that genuinely want to invest in your education.

Ready to flip the script on how you think about paying for college?

Let me show you the strategies that actually work.

Do People Get Paid To Go To School?

Short answer: absolutely, and more than you’d think.

I’ve had clients receive everything from full-ride scholarships with monthly stipends to corporate programs that pay their entire tuition plus a salary.

The money is out there you just need to know where to look. These opportunities don’t advertise themselves on billboards.

Most require some effort to find and apply for, but the payoff can be life changing.

One of my client Sarah received a $2,000 monthly stipend plus full tuition through a research assistantship program.

She graduated with $24,000 in the bank instead of debt. Not bad for doing something she would have done anyway, right?

How To Get Paid To Go To School

There are basically three ways this works:

1. Service commitments: You agree to work somewhere after graduation in exchange for education funding
2. Skills-based programs: Companies pay for your education because they need your specific skills
3. Research and assistantships: Schools pay you to help with research or teaching while you study

The key is matching your goals with the right type of program. Let me break down the best options I’ve seen work for my clients.

Fill Out The FAFSA

I know, I know everyone talks about FAFSA. But most people don’t realize it opens doors to way more than just loans.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid isn’t just about getting money you have to pay back.

It’s your gateway to grants, work-study programs, and other opportunities that put money in your pocket.

I knew a girl named Janet who didn’t think she’d qualify because her parents earned a decent income.

She filled out FAFSA anyway and was shocked when she got a Pell Grant plus a small state grant that together covered her books and housing for an entire year.

She said it felt like finding “money she never knew existed.”

Federal Grants

These are literally free money. No payback required (unless you drop out or don’t meet the requirements).

Pell Grants are the big one – up to $7,395 for 2023-2024. That’s real money that goes straight to your expenses.

But here’s what most people miss: there are also FSEOG grants (up to $4,000), TEACH grants for future teachers (up to $4,000), and state-specific grants that many students never even apply for.

Fill out FAFSA every single year, even if you think you won’t qualify. I’ve seen families surprised by what they received when their financial situation changed.

Work-Study

This is where things get interesting. Federal Work-Study isn’t just a campus job it’s a program designed to help you earn money while building career-relevant experience.

What makes it special:

• Jobs are usually related to your field of study
• Employers know you’re a student and work around your schedule
• You can earn up to your work-study award amount
• Many positions lead to full-time opportunities after graduation

Most work-study students make $2,000-4,000 per year, but I’ve seen students in research positions earn significantly more.

My roommate James got a work-study job in the biology lab. He thought it would just be simple tasks, but he ended up helping on real research projects.

That experience got him a recommendation letter that later helped him land a spot in grad school.

Plus, he was earning money while building his career.

Getting Private Aid

Government aid is just the beginning. Private organizations, foundations, and corporations offer tons of opportunities that most students never explore.

However, if you receive more funding from another source, the aid you get from a private grant may be reduced.

Scholarships

Here’s where I see students leave money on the table. They apply for the big, national scholarships everyone knows about, but ignore the smaller, local ones with way better odds.

Based on the academic pursuits or fields of students, fellowships can last up to a few years.

My strategy: Focus on scholarships where you actually fit the criteria perfectly. A $500 scholarship from your local Rotary Club is easier to win than a $50,000 national competition.

Resources I recommend:

• Fastweb for comprehensive scholarship searches
• College Board Scholarship Search
• Local community foundations (Google “[your city] community foundation scholarships”)

Private Grants

Companies and foundations give out grants for education, especially in fields they care about.

Tech companies fund computer science students, healthcare organizations support nursing programs, and environmental groups back sustainability studies.

Where to look:

• Industry associations in your field
• Large companies in your area
• Professional organizations
• Religious and cultural organizations

Private Fellowships

These are goldmines that most undergrads don’t know about. Fellowships often provide living stipends on top of tuition coverage.

Examples I’ve seen work:

• Research fellowships paying $20,000-40,000 annually
• Teaching fellowships with tuition coverage plus salary
• Corporate fellowships combining education with internship experience

3. Get A Job

Okay, this might sound obvious, but I’m talking about strategic jobs that enhance your education rather than just pay bills.

I once met a student who worked as a campus tour guide. At first, it just seemed like fun, walking new students around.

But she told me that job taught her confidence and public speaking skills she later used in job interviews.

She eventually landed a marketing position because of the experience she could talk about.

On-campus jobs like tutoring, research assistantships, or working in IT also give you experience that looks amazing on your resume.

On-Campus Jobs

Campus employers understand student schedules and often provide valuable experience. But some positions are way better than others.

High-value campus jobs:

• Research assistant positions (great for grad school applications)
• Tutoring center jobs (builds teaching skills)
• IT help desk (tech experience)
• Writing center consultant (communication skills)
• Campus tour guide (public speaking practice)

Earning potential: $10-20 per hour, with specialized positions sometimes paying more.

Strategic Off-Campus Work

If you work off-campus, make it count toward your career goals.

Smart choices:

• Internships in your field (even part-time)
• Jobs at companies where you might want to work full-time
• Positions that build relevant skills
• Work that provides networking opportunities

Remember, every job should either pay well or teach you something valuable. Ideally both.

4. Find An Internship

Here’s where the real money can be. Paid internships aren’t just summer gigs anymore – many students work part-time internships during the school year.

One of my classmates, Daniel, landed a part-time internship at a local engineering firm while still in school.

He started at $20/hour, and by the time he graduated, the company offered him a full-time role with a higher salary than most of us had.

He said, “That internship set my whole career in motion.”

Why Internships Matter

Beyond the immediate income, internships often lead to full-time job offers. I’ve seen students negotiate higher starting salaries because they already proved their value as interns.

Average intern pay: $15-25 per hour, with tech and finance internships often paying $25-40+ per hour.

Finding Quality Internships

Don’t just apply randomly. Target internships that align with your career goals and offer real learning opportunities.

Best resources:

• Indeed Internships
• LinkedIn (yes, even for students)
• Your school’s career services
• Industry-specific job boards
• Professional association websites

Pro tip: Small and medium companies often offer better learning experiences than big corporations, plus you’re more likely to get hired.

5. Take Advantage Of Corporate Tuition Reimbursement

This is one of my favorite strategies because it works for both traditional and non-traditional students.

Many companies offer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement programs for employees, even part-time ones.

Some companies will literally pay for your college if you work for them.

Examples:

• Starbucks covers full tuition through ASU Online.
• UPS gives up to $25,000 for employees.
• Amazon covers 95% of tuition in certain fields.

I met a young woman who worked part-time at UPS while taking classes. She thought it would just be a job to pay rent, but it ended up paying for nearly half her tuition over three years.

She graduated debt-free, something most of her friends couldn’t say.

How It Actually Works

You work for a company that offers education benefits, then they pay for your classes (usually with the requirement that you maintain certain grades and stay with the company for a specific period).

Real examples I’ve helped clients with:

• Starbucks: Full tuition coverage through Arizona State University Online
• UPS: Up to $25,000 in tuition assistance for part-time package handlers
• Amazon: Career Choice program pays up to 95% of tuition for high-demand fields
• McDonald’s: Up to $2,500 annually through their Archways to Opportunity program

Making It Work

The key is choosing employers strategically. Look for companies that:

• Have established education programs
• Offer schedule flexibility for students
• Provide career advancement opportunities
• Align with your long-term goals

You’ll graduate with work experience and no student loans. That’s a pretty strong position for your career.

6. Earn Rewards On Your School Purchases (Bonus Tip)

Okay, this one’s a bit different, but hear me out. If you’re spending thousands on education anyway, you might as well get something back.

My younger cousin once started tutoring high school students in math while he was in college.

At first, he charged just $20/hour. By the end of the semester, he was making almost $300 a week more than enough to cover his food and bills.

He said it felt good knowing his skills could pay his way.

Credit Card Rewards

I usually don’t recommend credit cards for students, but if you’re disciplined about paying them off immediately, education rewards cards can be worth it.

What to look for:

• Cards with bonus categories for education expenses
• Sign-up bonuses that cover textbook costs
• Cards with no annual fees

Important: Only do this if you pay off balances immediately. Credit card interest will wipe out any rewards benefits.

Cashback Apps and Programs

Use cashback apps when buying textbooks, supplies, and other school necessities.

Apps worth using:

• Rakuten for online textbook purchases
• Honey for automatic coupon codes
• TopCashback for additional cashback opportunities

Real impact: My clients typically save $200-500 annually just by being strategic about their education purchases.

3 Legit Ways To Get Paid By Classmates

Now we’re getting creative. Your classmates can actually be a source of income if you approach it right.

1. Write Essays

Before you ask no, I’m not talking about doing other people’s homework. That’s academic dishonesty and can get you kicked out.

writing someone’s essay for them is academic dishonesty, and it’s not worth the risk.

What you can do, though, is provide legit writing support that helps your classmates succeed without crossing any lines.

Think about services like:

• Helping a friend brainstorm ideas or structure their paper
• Offering editing and proofreading to polish their writing
• Assisting with research for projects
• Creating easy-to-follow study guides

If you’re good with words and research, this can actually pay well $15 to $30 an hour for quality editing or research help.

You don’t have to limit yourself to your campus; platforms like Upwork or Fiverr let you offer freelance writing and editing services to clients worldwide.

2. Sell Notes

This is totally legitimate and can be surprisingly profitable, especially if you’re 1good at organizing information clearly.

If you’re the type who takes neat, detailed notes, this one’s almost like free money.

Lots of students struggle to keep up during lectures, and having well-organized notes can be a lifesaver for them.

You can sell your notes on platforms like StudySoup (if it’s still running), through campus Facebook groups, study groups, or even directly to classmates.

Some students make $50 to $200 per semester per class, depending on how good their notes are and how many people want them.

What works:

• Detailed lecture notes from popular classes
• Study guides for difficult subjects
• Practice problems with solutions (where allowed)
• Comprehensive course review materials

Where to sell:

• StudySoup (if still operating)
• Campus Facebook groups
• Study groups and tutoring centers
• Direct to classmates

3. Part-Time Tutoring

If you’re really confident in a subject, tutoring is by far the most profitable option. Many students prefer learning from peers who explain things in a simpler way rather than from formal tutors.

Subjects that always attract students include:

• Math and science courses
• Foreign languages
• Business and economics
• Computer programming and tech skills

Focus on actually helping classmates understand the material. Word-of-mouth is powerful on campus, and once you build a reputation for being helpful, you’ll never run out of students who want to work with you.

Getting started:

• Post on campus bulletin boards
• Register with your school’s tutoring center
• Use apps like Wyzant or Tutor.com
• Network through professors and TAs

Build a reputation for actually helping students understand concepts, not just giving answers. Word-of-mouth referrals are gold in tutoring.

The Real Strategy: Combining Multiple Approaches

Here’s what successful students do – they don’t just pick one strategy. They combine several to maximize their income and minimize their costs.

Example combination strategy:

• Federal financial aid covering base costs
• Part-time work-study job providing spending money
• Small scholarships reducing overall expenses
• Summer internship building experience and income
• Occasional tutoring for extra cash

This approach can easily result in graduating debt-free or even with money in the bank.

What About Graduate School?

Graduate school opens up even more opportunities to get paid while learning.

Research Assistantships

These are some of the best deals in education. You get paid to help with research (which often becomes part of your thesis or dissertation), plus you get valuable experience and networking opportunities.

Typical packages:

• Full tuition waiver
• Monthly stipend ($15,000-35,000 annually)
• Health insurance
• Conference travel funding

Teaching Assistantships

TA positions let you earn money while developing teaching skills. Plus, many graduate programs require teaching experience anyway.

What you’ll do:

• Lead discussion sections
• Grade papers and exams
• Hold office hours
• Sometimes teach your own courses

Benefits beyond money:

• Teaching experience for your resume
• Public speaking skills
• Deep understanding of your subject
• Networking with faculty

Fellowship Programs

Graduate fellowships are incredibly competitive but offer the best financial packages. Many provide full funding plus additional benefits.

Where to look:

• National Science Foundation for STEM fields
• Fulbright for international study
• Industry-specific fellowship programs
• University-specific fellowship competitions

My Honest Take on Getting Paid for School

Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat this, most of these opportunities require work. You’ll need to research, apply, interview, and often maintain certain standards to keep the funding.

But here’s the thing: the alternative is graduating with $30,000-100,000+ in student loan debt. When you compare a few hours of application work to decades of loan payments, the choice seems pretty clear.

The reality check: Not everyone will qualify for every program. But almost everyone can find something that helps reduce their education costs or provides some income while studying.

My recommendation: Start early, apply broadly, and don’t get discouraged by rejections. Each application is practice for the next one, and it only takes one yes to change your financial future.

Getting Started This Week

Ready to stop just dreaming about debt-free education? Here’s your action plan:

1. Fill out FAFSA if you haven’t already (seriously, do this first)
2. Research three scholarship opportunities that match your background
3. Look into work-study options at your school
4. Identify companies in your area with tuition assistance programs
5. Start building relationships with professors in your field (they’re often the key to research opportunities)

Final Thoughts

Remember, every dollar you earn or save on education is money you won’t have to pay back with interest later. Your future self will definitely thank you for the effort you put in now.

The opportunities are out there; you just need to go after them. Time to turn your education into an investment that pays you back instead of costing you for decades 🙂