Get Paid to Go to School [2024] Online, From Home, or Attending in Person

You’ve probably heard of “FOMO” or the “fear of missing out.”  The term usually applies to social gatherings, but it also works in another context: higher education. 

There are over 18 million college students in the United States. People are investing in themselves, and you can, too – even if money is tight.

In this article, I’ll explain how you can get paid to go to school. The opportunities are out there – and I’m here to help you find them!

How to Get Paid To Go To School

Some aspiring students find programs that literally pay them to go to school. Others take advantage of work opportunities to fund their education. Either way, you’ll be strengthening your resume – and your mind! – while limiting the burden of student debt.

Below, I’ll describe how you can get paid to go to school. 

Apply for Grants and Scholarships

Getting a grant or a scholarship is the classic way to get paid to go to school. And unlike with student loans, you don’t need to pay them back!

Let’s start by defining terms:

• Grants are given to students based on financial need. So, if you’re low on money, you might be eligible for a grant.
• Scholarships are awarded to students based on specific criteria. This usually includes things like financial need, academic merit, athletic skills, diversity and inclusion, or experience. For example, you could earn a scholarship if you excel in a certain school subject or extracurricular activity.

You can access grants and scholarships by sending in an application to the organization that is offering the award. If you’re accepted, you’ll receive a chunk of money that you can put towards funding your education. 

Some scholarships offer just a few hundred dollars, while others will give you several thousand. It’s even possible to get our entire tuition and living expenses (room and board) covered.  

You’re probably thinking, “Yeah, that sounds great – but where can I find these types of opportunities?”

One answer to that question is Scholly. It’s an app and online platform that you can use to find and apply for scholarships. It’s super convenient because you can create a profile and then get matched with scholarships that fit your situation. 

Interested? Read this article that explains, “Is Scholly legit?”

I’ve also compiled lists of some of the most lucrative scholarships out there. Check out this article on the best scholarships for high school juniors. 

And if you’re closer to graduating, don’t worry! I’ve got a list of scholarships for high school seniors, too.

For more ideas on funding your education, check out this article on how to pay for college. 

Find a Job with a Tuition Reimbursement Program

The competition for talent is fierce, and companies are using all sorts of tricks to entice workers. As nice as perks like game rooms and comfy chairs can be, some employers are offering something even better: tuition reimbursement.

The concept is simple. The company pays part or all of your college tuition in exchange for working with them. 

Of course, not all employers offer tuition reimbursement. Do you want to use this strategy to get paid to go to school? Then, you’ll have to adjust your job search process.

Try reaching out to organizations, including:

• Your local Chamber of Commerce
• Professional associations related to your field
• Business associations in your industry

These groups can help you find businesses with tuition reimbursement programs.

You should also conduct a digital job search with Lensa, an online job board with millions of listings. You can use the site to find jobs and then ask employers if they offer tuition reimbursement.

Are you worried you won’t make a decent living until you’ve finally got your degree in hand? Don’t worry – you can make some serious money before you finish your education. Check out this article on the best jobs without a degree. 

Do you prefer to work at home? This article lists the highest paying work-from-home jobs that don’t require a degree. 

That degree will come eventually, but you might as well make money in the meantime! 

Become a Gig Worker

Working and studying at the same time is totally doable, but your job needs flexibility. 

Unless you’re taking classes at night, a standard 9 – 5 job won’t be compatible with schoolwork. So, what if you could work a few hours here and there? You can do that by becoming a gig worker.

When people say “gig work,” they’re referring to freelance jobs without set schedules. Dog walking, childcare, and food delivery are especially popular examples. 

And thanks to the internet, finding this kind of work is easier than ever! You can use an app or online platform to find clients and get paid quickly.

Interested in babysitting? Sign up for Care.com.

Prefer dog walking? The Rover app is the way to go.

If delivery driving is more your speed, you can apply for DoorDash and start working just a few days later. But if you find yourself on the DoorDash waitlist, here are a few ways to get off and get dashing faster. 

You won’t get rich with these strategies, but you can earn some decent money. For example, the average DoorDash driver makes $15.68 per hour, according to Indeed. If you can earn that much while driving after class, you’ll basically get paid to go to school!

For more gig work ideas, check out this article answering, “How can I make extra money from home in the evenings?” And if you’re suffering from an acute case of “lack of wheels” (we’ve all been there), then read this guide on how to make money with no car. 

Earn Cash Back on School Expenses 

Not only can you get paid to go to school, but you can also get paid to buy school-related products! How? By earning cash back.

People often associate “cash back” with credit cards. The idea is that you use the card to make purchases, and then the credit card company gives you back a certain percentage of the money you’ve spent.

You can also earn cashback through digital platforms like Fetch and Rakuten. Some folks report earning $500 a year with these apps.  

With Fetch, you earn cashback by uploading receipts. Here’s how it works:

1. Download the free Fetch app and create an account. 
2. Save the receipts when you shop. 
3. Upload the receipts to Fetch by taking photos with your smartphone.
4. Earn cash back!

For more details, read this article that answers, “Is Fetch rewards safe?”

Rakuten, on the other hand, is designed for online purchases. The process looks like this:

1. Sign up for the Rakuten platform.
2. Shop through the Rakuten mobile app or browser extension.
3. Earn cash back and receive your earnings every 3 months.

Learn more with this Rakuten review.

And don’t worry – it’s not like you have to choose between these two platforms. You can absolutely sign up for both of them! 

Take Online Surveys

There are plenty of survey sites that will pay you for sharing your opinions. And if you take these surveys in your spare time as a student, you’ll basically get paid to go to school!

You won’t make a killing – probably just $1 – $5 per hour. But it’s something you can do quickly in between classes, so it’ll add up quickly. 

Here’s how online surveys typically work:

1. You sign up for a survey site and provide some background information.
2. You choose from a list of available surveys. 
3. You take the surveys (most take only a few minutes to complete).
4. The survey site pays you!

Some survey sites pay out in cash, while others send you gift cards. You can usually get gift cards from Amazon, Walmart, and other popular retailers – you know, the types of places where you can buy school supplies! 

To make sure you actually get paid, it’s important to choose legitimate platforms. Below, I’ve listed three survey sites you can count on:

• Branded Surveys. This is a standard survey site with generous bonuses for frequent users. Read this Branded Surveys review to learn more. 
• Swagbucks. By combining surveys with paid games and other opportunities, this platform is especially entertaining. Also, check out this list of survey sites like Swagbucks.
• Survey Junkie. There are lots of ways to maximize your earnings on this site. For insider knowledge, read up on Survey Junkie hacks and check out our full Survey Junkie review.

If you’d like to answer questions for money, check out our reviews of these survey apps:

• Five Surveys review
• Is Inbox Dollars Legit?
• Test’em All review (also pays for gaming and mystery shopping)

And check out these apps that pay $100 a day if you combine your efforts. You can even make money watching videos!

You should also check out this list of websites where you can take surveys for gift cards.

And if you’d like the opportunity to make money with surveys, focus groups, and clinical trials, check out “Is Apex Focus Group Legit?”

Play Games Between Classes

Imagine funding your education with online games. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s actually possible.

Well, it’s kind of possible. You probably won’t make enough to cover your whole tuition. 

But you can absolutely make $100 a month through paid gaming. That’s enough for some contributions to your college expenses!

To get started, sign up for games and platforms that will pay you to play. Here are three great options:

• Mistplay. This is a super-reputable gaming platform that’s given out more than $60 million in rewards over the years. 
• Cashyy. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can play games for free and then get paid in gift cards. Be sure to read this Cashyy app review, too.
• Solitaire Cube. This is a classic solitaire-style game with real cash prizes.
• Bubble Buzz. Read “Is Bubble Buzz Legit?”
• Bubble Party. Read “Is Bubble Party Legit?“
• Solitaire Clash (read “Is Solitaire Clash Legit?”)
• Bingo Smash. Read “Is Bingo Smash Legit?“

Also check out these games that pay real money instantly, and if you like competing in Solitaire tournaments to win extra cash, check out Is Solitaire King Legit?

Want to play a unique take on a classic game just for fun? Check out our Monopoly Go review.

For more opportunities to play games, take surveys, and test new apps to earn money, check out these reviews:

• Is Ipsos iSay Legit?
• Is Earn Haus Legit?
• Is Scrambly Legit? 

Does gaming sound like a totally awesome way to fund education-related purchases? Then, read this full article on how to earn gift cards by playing games, and learn here how to get a free DoorDash gift card and a free Sephora gift card.

If you’d rather earn actual money, check out this list of apps that pay cash. 

Commonly Asked Questions About Getting Paid To Go To School 

Get Paid to Go to School Online / Get Paid to Go to School From Home? 

One way to get paid to go to school is by applying for scholarships or grants. You can use Scholly, a web-based platform, to search for scholarships that you might be eligible for. 

You can also get paid to open a bank account with these banks with immediate sign-up bonus.

Here are some of the best GPT Sites that pay you for tasks like playing games and taking surveys before or after school. There are even apps that pay you to walk to and from school and around campus!

• Is Rakuten Insight Legit?
• Is Buff Legit?
• Is CashWalk Legit?

 And check out these free games that pay real money instantly that you can play in your free time.

Here are more ideas on how to make money as a teenager without a job.

Can You Get Paid to Go to College / Is There a Way to Get Paid to Go to College?

There are two classic ways to get paid to go to school: 

1. Grants/scholarships
2. Tuition reimbursement from an employer (find jobs on Lensa) 

You could also pay for school by working while you study. Just make sure you find flexible jobs like dog walking with Rover or delivery driving for DoorDash. 

Trade Schools That Pay You to Attend? 

Lots of trade schools and job-training programs offer scholarships, meaning you can get an education for free. For example, there’s a federal program called “Jobs Corp” that’s free for all students. 

Companies That Pay You to Go to School?

Some of the biggest companies in the world will pay for college tuition, including Target, Disney, and Starbucks. Working for one of these companies could be the easiest way to get paid to go to school. 

Should Students Get Paid to Go to School? 

Thanks to scholarships, grants, and tuition reimbursement programs, lots of students already get paid to go to school. Want a piece of the action? Then, start applying for scholarships and grants!

What is it Called When You Get Paid to Go to School?

Some employers will pay you to go to school through something called a “tuition reimbursement program.” Basically, the company gives you money that you’ll use to fund your education. Find available jobs with Lensa. 

Can I Make Money While Going to School?

You can absolutely make money while going to school. The key is to find work with flexible hours, so you don’t have to skip class. I’d recommend gig work, which often entails dog walking (get started with Rover), delivery driving (try DoorDash), or babysitting (sign up with Care.com). 

To get paid to complete tasks like playing games, taking surveys, and signing up for subscriptions, check out Is Flash Rewards Legit? and Is Rewards Giant USA Legit?

And for more ways to make some extra cash in your spare time, check out these side hustles from your phone.

What Pays You to Go Back to School?

A grant or a scholarship can pay you to go to school. To apply, make an account with Scholly – a platform that specializes in matching students with scholarship opportunities. You could also get a job with a company that offers a tuition reimbursement program. Check Lensa for job listings.