It’s no secret that it costs a lot of money to go to college these days. That’s why this blog exists in the first place. If you search for ways to get money for college on the Internet, most sites talk about scholarships, student loans, or jobs like babysitting, tutoring, etc. Most college students end up paying their way through college through some combination of these sources and/or a little help from the ‘rents. I know I did.
However, I have to admit that while I was able to pay my way through college this way, it was kind of boring. Everybody applies for scholarships and loans, and everybody works boring jobs just to pay the bills. There are more exciting and unusual ways to get money for college, and you’re only limited by your own creativity. Here are a couple of great examples of college students who came up with weird, creative ways to get money for college.
Grad Student Discos For Dollars
Photo by sierraromeo
A grad student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago pays for his living expenses by disco dancing on the street.
Jason Hopkins didn’t know how to dance when he was the student body president at his high school. But when he was put in charge of promoting an upcoming school dance, he figured he’d have to learn quick. So he rented Saturday Night Fever and learned all of John Travolta’s moves. He had no idea that one day those moves would earn him around $10,000 a year and would help him through grad school.
A few years ago, I actually saw this guy in person, discoing the weekend away on Michigan Avenue. His moves would often gather a pretty big crowd, but I had no idea he made so much money. Assuming he finished art school, he’s probably not there anymore, but this story is proof that we’re only limited by our own creativity.
Bottled Water Experiment
Photo by DerekNeuland
If you thought discoing for dollars was weird, then brace yourself for this next one. This example comes courtesy of a (now former) college student who wanted to prove that you could make money without little or no startup capital. How? In his own words:
Buy a 24-pack of bottled water and sell it on the side of the road. Possibly utilize the labor of pan-handlers.
Do you think it worked? Follow the link and maybe you’ll be inspired to try your own version of the bottled water experiment.
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As a former citizen of Chicago, $10k in Chicago is scrimping by (of course, it said it “helped” him).
And further proof of selling bottled water – I once did a make-shift cart at an out-door concert selling water and gatorade – no signs, just whatever people thought was fair. $5 for gatorade, $4 for water was typical. The profits would break even on the tickets to the event and all purchases (and then some).
That sounds quite interesting. I read about the selling bottled water experiment thingy on a blog, though disco dancing… hmm…
In any case, both of these activities sound like they’d be doable especially now when summer’s just around the corner.
Huh, thanks for posting that bottled water experiment. Never heard of it–enlightening.
Great post — loved the bottled water blog.
We live close to two highways and when my sons were young they would do this when road repairs were going on and traffic was at a crawl. Just goes to show you that money can be made if you put your mind to it.
I was able to quite my day job all together after I discovered that I can make enough money as a balloon artist, more about it on my blog (click on my name).
I started on the street, just like the disco dancer. Now I don’t even have to *do the streets* because I have enough scheduled events that pay better. But in a pinch I still can make money by twisting balloons on a street corner. Nothing to it.
If you need a support to jump start a street performer career, feel free to contact me.
Haha pretty creative stuff. I knew at once who you were going to refer to when I saw the bottled water picture; I remember reading about it on Nev’s blog at one time.
I can only imagine how the conversations go when that Disco dancer talks about his ‘job’. LOL
Wow! I would love to see the video for the Disco College student.
I love to see people use their clever creativity for gain. It’s inspiring.
It’s like the million dollar pixel website. Pure genius. (google “million dollar pixel.” A student paid for his schooling by selling ad space by the pixels and made a million dollars)
It’s amazing what we have to do to pay for our loans off. If I knew half the stuff on this blog when I graduated, I would have been in a better position in life.
Jon
http://www.studlete.com
If i would have known how to blog and market on the internet in college i would have quite and not waisted my time