5 Ways Students in South Africa Can Make Money to Cover Their Tuition

Education has always been pricey but we all need it to better our lives and get that dream job we always wanted. There are many opportunities for students living in South Africa to make extra money to cover for their tuition and their day to day life expenses. As a student you have to choose something that will not take away your time for studying or derail your focus of the end goal. The following options are one of the best ways to make money in South Africa for students willing to cover their tuition.

Offer Freelance services Online

Online freelancing has become popular amongst students in South Africa to make that extra cash. The most popular platforms used by students are Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer. These work more like a marketplace for students offering skills like writing, graphic design, web development, marketing and many other categories.Students create a profile, mention the set of skills they are willing to offer and they set their own rates. This also allows the student to choose work when they are free and create time for their studies.

How to get started:

• Recognize your strongest skills or services that you can monetize
• Register for either Upwork, Fiver or Freelancer
• Create a portfolio of your work.and register for the skills you are willing to offer
• Set your rates and timeframe in which every task will be complete, you may be advised to set a lower rate than other freelancers if you are new so that you build a stronger portfolio
• Market your services on all social media platforms to attract local and international clients

Tutoring

With a lot of parents now paying attention to their children’s grades and willing to go an extra mile for them to pass, tutoring has now become the norm. Take advantage of this gap in the market and start your own tutoring business in the one subject you excel in. Subjects like Math, science or English are popular in the tutoring business with kids ranging from grade 1 to matric. You can also tutor fellow university students online and even offer online tutoring sessions.

How to get started:

• Decide on your subject niche.
• Brush up on your knowledge
• Advertise your services on platforms like TeachMe2 or Superprof.
• Set your pricing
• Decide where your tutoring sessions will take place
• Spread the word on social media platforms

Consider Entrepreneurship/Starting a Small Business

With a rise in unemployment in  SouthAfrica, an interest for  entrepreneurship has now become a trend. The best way to enjoy your business is to find something you are passionate about and monetize it. Whether it’s handmade crafts, fashion,  baking, event planning and photography, find a way for it to generate income that will cover your tuition.

How to get started:

• Before anything else, get in the Right Mindset.
• Determine Your Business Concept that aligns with your interests and skills
• Research Your Competitors and Market
• Market your business on all social media platforms
• Apply for small business grants or loans tailored to young entrepreneurs through organizations like NYDA (National Youth Development Agency).

Explore Part-time Jobs

Most of the universities in South Africa have opportunities for students on campers to make extra money like working part-time at the library, administrative assistant or being a student ambassador as a way to help students make money to cover their tuition.  Beside the  on campus opportunities, students can work part time in retail and hospitality( waitressing and reception), fast food services and marketing.

.How to get started:

• Write a brilliant cv
• Research for jobs in advance
• Take part in extracurricular activities to boost your CV
• Check your university’s job board for on-campus opportunities.
• Visit job boards like  Indeed and PNet for part-time job opportunities.
• Checkout local restaurants, cafes, and stores to inquire about vacancies.

Content Creation

Social media has paved the way for creatives to make money on social media through content creation. Choose something you are passionate about, that you are certain you won’t get tired of and start making content. A few topics that have made money for influencers are fashion, travel food and fitness. Building a following on these platforms won’t come easy but the minute you get the hang of it, you might start having brand deals, sponsorships from big companies and generating money through ads.

How to get started:

• Choose a topic and theme you are passionate about 
• Define your target audience
• Set your goals
• Understand content limitations
• Create high-quality and engaging content
• Choose a  platform that work best for you
• Develop a content schedule to stay consistent
• Tailor make your content for each social media platform

Bonus Tip: Apply for Scholarships and Bursaries

A lot of companies and institutions in South Africa offer financial aid to students depending on the student’s academic performance, financial need or the kind of course you are studying. Applying for this kind of sponsorships and bursaries can lessen your financial burden and help you focus better on your students without financial stress.

Conclusion

At the beginning it will seem like a struggle to balance work and studies, you might even derail a bit but if you have set goals and you are willing to finish what you started then being able to pay for tuition should be enough motivation. Choose the kind of job that won’t take your whole time and also something that you are passionate about so that it seems more like a hobby than a duty. Choose the above options looking at your ability, your availability and passion. If you are looking to ease your financial strain as a student, start exploring these options today and study better without financial stress.