College can be an expensive undertaking, and many students struggle to make ends meet. Fortunately, there are numerous apps for college students to make money from the comfort of their own dorm rooms or near campus.
From taking surveys and playing games for cash rewards to freelancing online, these trending apps provide a convenient way for college students to earn extra income while pursuing their studies.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular ways that college students can use mobile apps to make money on their own terms.
So if you’re looking for new ways to pad your wallet or cover tuition costs (some without even leaving your room), read on!
Popular Apps for College Students to Earn
- Uber
- Postmates
- Instacart
- Survey Apps
- Upwork
- Task Rabbit
- Mogl
- Bonus: Social Media
How These Apps Work for Earning Extra Income
Making money while in college can be a difficult prospect, but with the advent of mobile apps, earning extra income has become easier than ever.
With just a few taps on your phone, you can access an array of popular apps that offer students numerous ways to make money from their dorm rooms.
Below is a breakdown of recommended apps for earning.
1. Uber
Uber is a ride-hailing app that allows users to book rides with drivers nearby. College students can sign up as drivers and get paid for providing these services to customers. All you need is a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance, and you’re good to go!
2. Postmates
Postmates is an on-demand delivery service that allows users to order food and other items from local restaurants and stores. College students can sign up as couriers, pick up orders from the store or restaurant and deliver them to customers.
3. Instacart or Shipt
InstaCart is a grocery delivery app that lets shoppers order groceries online and have them delivered right to their door. College students can sign up as shoppers and earn money by picking up grocery orders from nearby stores and delivering them to customers.
4. Survey Apps
There are several survey apps available that allow users to take online surveys in exchange for cash rewards. The most popular survey apps are Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, InboxDollars, or ProductLab.
College students can earn extra money by completing surveys in their spare time. This is one of few money-making options that can be done from the comfort of a person’s own home or, in this case, dorm.
5. Upwork
Upwork is an online freelance marketplace where employers post job opportunities and freelancers bid on them. College students can sign up as freelancers, create a profile outlining their skills, and start bidding on jobs they’re interested in. From data entry to writing and programming, Upwork has a variety of jobs available that college students can use to make money while attending school.
6. Task Rabbit
Task Rabbit is a platform where users can hire people to complete tasks for them. College students can sign up as taskers and get hired to do a variety of jobs, from assembling furniture and cleaning houses to delivering groceries and running errands. Task Rabbit is an excellent way for college students to earn money on their own terms.
7. Mogl
Mogl is a cashback app that rewards users for shopping at participating retailers. College students can sign up for the app and link their debit or credit card to it. Every time they shop with one of Mogl’s partners, they receive cashback rewards deposited into their accounts.
This is a great option for earning for already doing the things you normally do, like eating or shopping. The process is made significantly easier because your card is linked, which means a hands-off approach to earning after the initial setup.
Bonus: Social Media
Social media is a great platform for college students to make money. Students can create content and promote products or services on their accounts, as well as offer their skills and services through platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork.
By leveraging their social networks, college students can monetize their online presence and generate income from home. While this definitely requires a certain amount of energy to work your way through the algorithm or amass a following of dedicated fans, it can have a major payoff.
Tips for Maximizing Earnings with Apps
Depending on the app you’ve chosen to make some extra cash, there may be a number of ways to boost earning potential. Below are just a few!
Provide Excellent Service
Providing quality service is key to maximizing earnings with mobile apps. Make sure you have a good rating as a driver, shopper, or freelancer in order to get more customers and better pay.
Plus, providing quality service is a good way to get tipped, which increases earnings. To make the most bang for your buck, this is important to prioritize.
Set Reasonable Goals
Don’t expect to make a fortune through these apps; rather, set reasonable goals for how much money you want to make each month.
Setting realistic expectations will help you stay motivated and ensure that your earnings don’t suffer if you have a slow month.
Take Advantage of Bonuses
Many of these apps offer bonuses for meeting certain goals or completing particular tasks, so take advantage of them! This is an easy way to increase your earnings without putting in too much extra work.
Stay Up-to-Date
The gig economy is ever-changing, with new apps and opportunities popping up all the time. Make sure you’re keeping up with the latest trends and taking advantage of any new opportunities that come your way.
Dual Apping
Dual apping means signing up for two or more apps and alternating between them to get the most out of each. For example, you could work as a driver on Uber and a courier on Postmates in order to maximize your earnings potential while attending college.
Additional Reading: Seven Tips to Earn More with Rideshare Driving
Benefits of Using Apps to Earn
Flexibility
One of the primary benefits of using apps to earn while a college student is flexibility. Mobile apps give students the opportunity to work when they want and where they want, without having to make a long-term commitment or take up a fixed job. For example, individuals can sign up for Uber or Postmates whenever they are free and have time to make some extra money.
Passive Income
Mobile apps also provide a great way for college students to earn passive income. Surveys, for example, can be completed in your spare time without any pressure, which can allow you to make money without having to put too much effort into it.
Additional Skills and Experience
Using apps to earn also provides a great opportunity for college students to gain additional skills and experience. Many of these apps require students to interact with customers, which can help them develop customer service and communication skills that can be beneficial in the future.
Potential Risks of Using Apps
There are a number of risks to be on the lookout for when it comes to protecting yourself and avoiding problems from developing. Keep an out for these common problems associated with app-based employment.
1. Loss of Privacy
When using apps to earn, there is always a risk that personal information may be shared with third parties and used for advertising or other purposes.
2. Unsafe Working Conditions
In some cases, mobile jobs such as ridesharing can put individuals at risk of being in unsafe working conditions due to the nature of the job and environment they are working in.
3. Low Pay Rates
Many apps offer low pay rates compared to traditional jobs which could make it difficult to make ends meet if relying solely on app income.
4. Time Commitment
Using apps for income usually requires a significant time commitment in order to maximize earnings, which can take away from school work or other activities college students would otherwise have time for if not using these services to make extra money. So while working times are generally flexible, the amount of work needed can be intense.
Apps to Avoid for Making Money
Now that we’ve gone over the best apps for making money, it’s also important to outline the ones that should be avoided.
1. App-based pyramid schemes
Pyramid schemes are fraudulent operations that rely on recruiting participants in order to generate revenue.
Participants in these schemes make money by recruiting new members and collecting their fees, rather than through providing any tangible products or services.
This form of fraud is illegal in many countries, as it can be exploitative. And as trends and mediums have evolved, so have pyramid schemes, bringing them right to your fingertips.
Doubting something? It’s best to avoid it altogether!
2. Apps with False or Misleading reviews
It’s becoming increasingly common for companies to employ individuals to write false or misleading reviews on apps in order to boost their ratings and increase downloads.
When using an app, be sure to read through the reviews before downloading it – if you see a pattern of suspiciously positive reviews from people with no profile photos or other indicators that they are real users, it may be best to look for another option.
3. Gambling Apps
Gambling apps have become increasingly popular, especially with the rise of mobile gaming systems such as smartphones and tablets.
While these types of apps can provide an entertaining way to pass the time, they often come with risks – including the potential for players to get addicted to gambling or lose large amounts of money.
As such, it’s important to be careful when using any type of gambling app and always read the terms and conditions before playing.
4. Unregulated Investment Apps
Investment apps often offer easy access to the stock market, but they can also be risky. Many of these apps are unregulated, meaning that there is no oversight to ensure that your money is being handled responsibly or securely.
It’s important to do your research before investing in any type of app and always look for reviews from trusted sources.
How to Determine Which App Is Right for You
Before choosing an app to use for earning, it is important to consider all of the factors mentioned above, such as pay rate and potential risks.
Additionally, you should understand what type of work would be required in order to make sure it fits within your lifestyle and schedule.
Finally, research each app thoroughly before committing to anyone so that you can make an informed decision about the best one for you.
- Pay: making sure the pay is good enough upfront is an essential part of any job. As an app-based worker, it’s important to know what you can expect in terms of salary and compensation before committing to a gig. When considering pay for app-based work, there are several key components to consider: hourly rate, total earnings, payment timeline, and tips. Additionally, make sure to factor in any associated costs of the job, such as transportation or equipment.
- Flexibility: flexibility is an important factor for college students who are looking to make extra money while also balancing their other commitments. Apps typically provide a wide range of opportunities that can be catered to individual needs and schedules – from one-time gigs to longer-term projects. It’s important to read through the job description and requirements before committing to a gig in order to ensure that it fits with your current lifestyle.
- Security: many apps offer secure payment systems to keep your personal information safe, but not all of them do. Before signing up for an app, make sure to research the company and read up on any reviews or feedback from previous users. Additionally, if possible, it’s best to use a secure payment method such as PayPal or Apple Pay in order to ensure that your data is safe.
- Reviews: reading through reviews can be helpful when choosing an app – but only if the reviews are genuine. It’s not uncommon for companies to employ individuals to write false or misleading reviews in order to boost ratings and downloads, so it’s important to pay attention to details such as profile photos and other indicators that the reviews are from real users.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using apps to earn income can be a great opportunity for college students to generate extra cash and gain additional skills and experience.
However, it is important to consider the potential risks associated with such work, such as loss of privacy and low pay rates, before committing to any one app.
Additionally, it is important to determine which app is best suited to your lifestyle and needs in order to maximize the potential benefits.
With careful consideration, using apps can be a great way to supplement your income while attending college.
Good luck!