Some Jobs Help Students Pay Tuition
One of the best ways to pay for college is to find work that helps foot part of the tuition bill.
Here are 10 types of part-time jobs for students that can provide extra income and that in some cases may offer tuition perks.
1. Work-Study
For years, the federal work-study program has allowed students to earn money through part-time work. Students who file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid with financial need may be eligible for the program.
The average award amount to a student participating in the program is slightly more than $2,300 per year, according to the 2017 Sallie Mae survey on “How America Pays For College.” While these jobs aren’t always on campus, students in work-study earn at least $7.25 per hour — the federal minimum wage.
2. Paid Internships
A paid internship can not only help students pay for college but can also open doors for full-time work after graduation.
According to a 2016 report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, students with a paid internship during college are more likely to find higher-paid, entry-level jobs when they finish their bachelor’s degree.
3. Jobs With Online Learning Benefits
Some employers partner with higher education institutions to offer hourly employees tuition assistance toward an online bachelor’s degree.
Starbucks, for example, launched its initial program — the Starbucks College Achievement Plan — in June 2014 with Arizona State University; the plan allows employees to earn an undergraduate degree online. Since Starbucks began its program, many fast-food companies — such as Pizza Hut and White Castle — have launched similar programs to retain and recruit hourly workers.
4. Fast-Food Jobs With Tuition Reimbursement
Some fast-food companies with hourly employees offer tuition reimbursement for on-campus rather than online degree programs.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, the Denver-based chain known for its Mission-style burrito, reimburses an employee’s tuition up to the IRS limit of $5,250. Employees can reimburse classes from two- or four-year degree granting institutions. But there’s one catch: Hourly “crew members” must work for the company for at least a year before they qualify.
5. Hourly Work With Tuition Assistance
Companies that offer tuition perks to hourly employees usually have a specific program. White Castle, for instance, requires employees to enroll in a degree at a particular institution. Usually these programs require a set number of hours the employees must work to receive tuition assistance.
At Amazon.com Inc., part-time workers who work more than 20 hours per week are eligible for the company’s Career Choice program after a year of continuous employment. The program pays up to $12,000 over four years for an employee to earn an associate degree or vocational certification.
6. Campus Jobs With Tuition Stipends
A research or teaching assistantship usually covers part of tuition; the pay can sometimes be in exchange for research or classroom instruction. Typically, these positions are for graduate students.
Similar to scholarships, assistantships are often awarded through individual departments at a college or university.
7. On-Demand Economy Jobs
The gig economy known for its flexible jobs can help students earn cash between classes. These on-demand jobs include running errands or completing small jobs via TaskRabbit, making deliveries for PostMates or even driving for ride-booking services such as Uber and Lyft, to name a few.
Students can earn more through on-demand work, which experts say ranges from $10 to $20 an hour, compared with hourly wages earned in retail or the food and beverage industry.
8. Jobs With Employer Scholarships
Some companies offer employees help paying for college through scholarship programs.
Taco Bell, for instance, offers employees who are legal residents between ages 18 and 24 the chance to win up to a $25,000 award through its Live Más Scholarship; the award can be used toward vocational school or a two- or four-year college. Employees must have worked for the company at least six consecutive months to be eligible.
9. Jobs With Textbook Grants
In addition to tuition assistance or an online education partner program, some employers offer hourly workers grants or reimbursements for educational materials such as textbooks.
For employees at Amazon.com Inc., the company’s Career Choice Program reimburses up to 95 percent of the cost of required books for those enrolled in a qualifying degree program.
10. Freelance Work
Using their creative talents, student can earn money on the side and boost their resume. Experts say students can turn to websites such as Gigbucks and Upwork to advertise their skills and find freelance work in everything from design to translation.
“Students often take their knowledge for granted and underestimate the degree to which their skills will be valued by others who are less social media savvy,” Mindy Popp, who runs a college counseling firm in Boston, told U.S. News in 2014.
Learn More About Choosing a College Path
Read more about how to choose a college, and find out where college graduates go once they leave campus.
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More from U.S. News
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What to Know About Tuition Assistance When Working Part Time
10 Types of Part-Time Jobs That Pay for College originally appeared on usnews.com
