Passive Income Ideas for Students: How to Make Money While Studying

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Are you a college student looking for ways to earn some extra money on the side? Passive income ideas can be a great way to generate additional income without sacrificing too much of your time and energy.

Whether you’re looking to pay off student loans, save up for a trip, or just want to have some extra spending money, there are plenty of passive income ideas that can work for you.

Passive income is money that you earn without actively working for it. This means that once you set up a passive income stream, you can continue to make money from it over time without having to put in much effort.

As a student, a passive income idea can be particularly appealing because they allow you to make extra money while still focusing on your studies.

Plus, if you can get an income stream started while a student, you can continue making money with it after you graduate.

Some popular passive income ideas for students include investing in dividend-paying stocks, creating a niche blog or YouTube channel, and renting out a room in your home or apartment.

Here is a list of the best passive income ideas for students.

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15 Passive Income Ideas for Students

As a student, you may be looking for ways to earn some extra cash that don’t take up too much of your time.

One great option is to generate passive income from a business that runs itself. With passive income, you can generate income while you focus on your studies or enjoy your free time.

Here are some passive income ideas that are perfect for students like you.

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is great way to earn passive income when you are still in school.

With affiliate marketing, you promote other people’s products and earn a commission on any sales that result from your promotion.

You can promote products through your blog, social media, or email marketing. Look for products that are relevant to your audience and that you genuinely believe in.

Most students spend a fair amount of time on social media, affiliate marketing is a way to make your social media earn money for you!

If you don’t mind putting work into it and the income being less passive, you can also make money for social media management.

Check out this review of the book Rich Dad Poor Dad which will teach you about earning passive income.

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2. Stock Photography

If you have a talent for photography, you can earn passive income by selling stock photos online.

There are many websites that allow you to upload your photos and earn cash every time someone downloads them. You can take stock photos of anything from landscapes to food to people, as long as they are high-quality and in-demand.

You can also get your photos put onto products like postcards, greeting cards or even coffee mugs and then sell them that way. CafePress is a site that allows you to put your photos and designs onto products and then sell them.

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3. Online Courses

If you have expertise in a particular area, you can create an online course. This is a great source of passive income for students.

You can create a course on anything from coding to cooking to yoga, and sell it on platforms like Udemy or Teachable.

Once you create the course, you can continue to make money from it for years to come. This is a passive income idea you should definitely consider due to the fact that you can earn for years to come.

There are many platforms where you can sell your course like these:

4. Renting Out Belongings

Finally, you can start earning passive income by renting out your belongings. If you have a spare room, you can rent it out on Airbnb. This is my favorite passive income idea since I have actually made a lot of money on AirBnb which you can read about here.

If you have a car, you can rent it out on Turo. If you have a bike, you can rent it out on Spinlister. If you live in a house with a garage, you can even rent space out in that!

The possibilities are endless for renting things as passive income sources for students. Plus, you can earn income without having to do much work.

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5. Ebooks

Another digital product you can sell is an ebook. Writing an ebook is a popular way to share your knowledge and expertise with others.

You can write about any topic that you are passionate about, and there is always an audience for it.

Ebooks can be sold on platforms like Amazon for passive income or your own website. You can also offer them for free to build your email list or as a lead magnet to attract potential customers.

Since an ebook can sell for many years, this is one of the best passive income sources to choose from.

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6. Sell Printables

Another ideal source of revenue for college students is from selling printables. Printables are basically a digital file you sell to someone that they can then print out and use.

Common items to sell include budget sheets, planners, cards and more. The great thing about this is you do the work to create the digital file and then you are done!

This is one of the best passive income opportunities because you can make money for years to come selling that one file.

7. Sell Print on Demand PRoducts

Print on demand is a great way to sell physical products without having to worry about inventory or fulfillment.

You can create designs for t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and more, and sell them on platforms like Redbubble or Teespring.

You can also create your own website and sell your products there. Print on demand is a great way to earn passive income for college students because once you create the designs, the platform takes care of everything else.

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8. Start a Vending Machine Business

Starting your own business can be an exciting and lucrative venture. You can start a passive income business by invest in vending machines.

You just purchase a vending machine, find a good location for it and start making money passively. You will need to routinely restock it of course, and get the money out of it but it shouldn’t require too much time.

And, putting a vending machine on your college campus is certainly a good place for customers!

Check out this guide on starting your own vending machine business.

9. YouTube Channel

Starting a YouTube channel can be a great way to make passive income for college students.

You can make money through display ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. To be successful on YouTube, you need to create high-quality content that resonates with your audience.

Consistency is also key, so make sure to upload videos on a regular schedule. Just find a niche and start publishing helpful videos.

10. Podcasting

If you have a passion for a certain topic, consider starting a podcast. You can make money through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and donations from your listeners.

To be successful, you need to create engaging content that keeps your listeners coming back for more.

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11. Blogging

If you enjoy writing and have a passion for a particular topic, starting a blog could be a great way to earn passive income.

You can write about anything from fashion to food to travel, and monetize your blog through advertising, affiliate marketing, or sponsored posts. Here are some great blog examples for students.

While it may take some time to build up a readership, once you have a following, you can enjoy great passive income from your blog for years to come. Blogs do require a lot of work initially, so this may not be the ideal choice of passive income for students.

To start your own blog, check out this easy guide.

12. Playing Video Games

If you’re a gamer, you might be able to make money by streaming your gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube.

You can earn money through ad revenue, sponsorships, and donations from your viewers. You can also earn money by participating in gaming tournaments.

To get started with game streaming, you’ll need a good computer and a reliable internet connection.

While this isn’t exactly passive income as you do need to play the games, if it is something you already do you might as well make money for it! If you are a gamer, this might be one of the easiest passive income ideas.

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13. Sell Your Notes

Did you know you can sell your study notes to other students? You’ve already taken them so why not get a little cash for them.

Your notes can be helpful to other student’s taking the same courses so if you can sell them to others in your class.

You can also sign up on a site like Study Soup and make money for being a notetaker. You can make as much as $800 for one course.

14. Rent or Sell Your Textbooks

Textbooks for students are very expensive. I used to buy used ones as much as I could to save money. You can get extra cash by selling your textbooks once you are done with them.

You can also rent them to people. That allows you to make money off of them more than once!

15. Buy a rental property

This may not be the most practical idea if you don’t have any money saved up. You will need a 20% down payment to purchase a rental property.

But, if you can swing it, or get help from parents this is one of my favorite passive income ideas. You should consider this when you aren’t a student and at any point in your life!

Once you own a house you can rent, you can make money off of it for years. Plus, the renter will be paying your mortgage off for you so the equity in the home will just continue to increase.

If you are in a high touristy area, you can make even more by turning the house into a short term rental property booked on sites like VRBO and AirBnb.

Investing for Passive Income

Investing in the stock market is one of the best ways to generate passive income as a student. Although, it is a bit riskier than our other tactics. You should try to educate yourself first and find a safe strategy.

Here are some investment options for earning passive income to consider:

Dividend Stocks

Dividend stocks are shares of companies that pay out a portion of their profits to shareholders on a regular basis.

They can provide a steady stream of income for investors. You can invest in dividend stocks through a brokerage account or a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP).

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Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

REITs are companies that own and manage income-producing real estate properties. They allow investors to start investing in real estate without having to buy and manage properties themselves.

REITs are a passive income opportunity that provides a consistent income stream through rental income.

Crowdfunding

Real estate crowdfunding platforms like Crowdstreet, Groundfloor Finance and Fundrise allow investors to pool their money together to invest in real estate projects.

Investors can earn passive income through rental income or appreciation of the property. Crowdfunding allows you to participate in real estate investments without needing a ton of cash.

Check out this post on CrowdStreet vs. Fundrise.

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Peer-to-Peer Lending

Peer-to-peer lending platforms like LendingClub allow investors to lend money to individuals or businesses and earn interest on their investment. This can be a good option for investors looking for higher returns than traditional savings accounts.

When investing for passive income, it’s important to do your research and understand the risks involved.

Consider factors like fees, diversification, and liquidity when choosing an investment option. And always remember to consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

For these types of passive income opportunities, you will need some money upfront to invest.

Active Income Ideas for Students

If you’re a student looking to make some extra money, active income ideas can also be a great place to start.

Actively generated income is money that you earn by doing work, rather than money that you earn passively. Here are a few income ideas that might work for you:

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Pet Sitting

Another income idea for students is pet sitting. If you love animals, you can offer your services as a pet sitter to people in your area. You can set your own rates and work around your schedule.

To get started with pet sitting, you can advertise your services on social media or on websites like Rover or Care.com.

You can also reach out to local pet stores or vet clinics to see if they know of anyone who needs a pet sitter.

Tutoring

One of the most popular income ideas for students is tutoring. If you’re good at a particular subject, you can offer your services as a tutor to other students who are struggling. You can set your own rates and work as much or as little as you want.

To get started with tutoring, you can advertise your services on social media, or you can sign up with a tutoring service that will match you with clients.

Some popular tutoring services include Chegg, TutorMe, and Varsity Tutors.

Internship

An internship can be a great way to earn income while also gaining valuable experience in your field of study.

Many companies offer paid internships to students, and some colleges and universities also offer internship programs.

To find an internship, you can start by checking with your school’s career center or by searching online job boards like Indeed. You can also reach out to companies directly to see if they have any internship opportunities available.

Overall, there are many income ideas that are not passive for students that can help you generate revenue while also gaining valuable experience. Whether you choose to tutor, pet sit, or do an internship, there are plenty of opportunities out there if you’re willing to put in the work.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Passive Income For Students

What is Passive Income?

Passive income is income you make without having to do a lot of work. You may have to do work initially, or provide an initial investment, but after that you make money in your sleep!

How Can I use Social Media to Make Passive Income?

As a student, you likely spend a lot of time on social media. Did you know that you can turn that time into passive income?

Here are some ways to use social media for passive income:

Affiliate marketing
Social media management for bloggers and businesses
Selling your own products like ebooks or courses

What are the Most Popular Passive Income IDeas for Students?

Some of the most popular ideas are selling online courses and printables as well as renting out your car or part of your home.

These are the best ways to generate passive income streams. Starting more than one is your best bet, they say most millionaires have more than one revenue generating channel.

What are some side income ideas for students?

If you’re looking for some side income ideas, you might consider tutoring, pet-sitting, freelance writing, or selling products online. These ideas can help you earn money on the side while you focus on your studies.

How can I make passive income as a young adult?

As a young adult, you have several options for making passive income. Some of these include investing in stocks or real estate, creating an online course, renting out your property, or starting a blog.

What are some easy ways to make passive income for beginners?

If you’re new to the world of passive income, there are several easy ways to get started. You might consider creating an online course, or renting out your car or part of your home.

These ideas require minimal investment and can help you earn money without too much effort.

How can I make $1000 a month passively?

Making $1000 a month in passive income may seem like a lofty goal, but it’s definitely achievable.

Some ideas to consider include investing in stocks or real estate, creating an online course, or starting a blog. These ideas require some initial effort, but can help you earn a significant amount of money over time.

How can I make $500 a day in passive income?

Making $500 a day in passive income is a significant goal, but it’s not impossible. Some ideas to consider include investing in stocks or real estate, creating an online course, or starting a blog.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that these ideas require a significant investment of time and effort upfront.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many passive income ideas for students that can help you earn extra money while you are still in school.

Plus, creating passive income streams while you are a college student can set up you with an income before you even graduate.

Whether you choose to sell your skills online, invest in dividend stocks, or rent out your belongings, there are many ways to generate a steady passive income streams without sacrificing your time and energy.

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