How to Make Money Online as a College Student (+10 Affiliate Programs that Pay!)

Attending college is a thrilling time, but it can also be a financial headache. Between juggling classes, studying for exams, and attempting to have some kind of social life, figuring out how to make money online as a college student might feel like one more thing to stress about.

After all, textbooks, tuition, and campus living don’t come cheap!

But here's the good news: affiliate marketing is a great way for college students to earn extra income without needing to stock products or even leave the dorm. It's a flexible way to make money on your own schedule.

Best of all, it can create a passive income stream while you focus on your studies.

In this post, we’ll explore how affiliate marketing works and show you how to make money online as a college student through 10 top-paying affiliate programs.

The Benefits of Affiliate Marketing for Students

Affiliate marketing is a great way for students to make extra money while still keeping up with schoolwork. It’s easy to get started, and you can fit it into your day without it taking over your schedule.

Here are some key benefits of affiliate marketing for students:

• Low startup costs: You don’t need a big budget to get started – just a laptop and Wi-Fi. It’s an easy way to make money without having to dip into your savings (or your student loans).
• Flexible schedule: Whether you’re between classes, on a study break, or pulling a late-night library session, you can promote products whenever it works for you. This flexibility makes it easy to fit affiliate marketing into your busy student life.
• Passive income potential: Once your affiliate links are live, they can earn money while you’re focusing on school, sleeping, or even enjoying the weekend. It’s a great way to keep the income flowing without constant effort.
• Promote your interests: Share products you already use or love with your campus community, making it feel more natural and fun. It's a great way to combine your personal interests with earning potential.

How to Make Money Online as a College Student with Affiliate Marketing

The way affiliate marketing works is simple, and it’s a great way to learn how to make money online as a college student – just share a link and earn when people buy.

As a college student, you likely have a large social circle and are social media savvy. Therefore, you have a great base from which to start promoting products. Perhaps you could record videos for TikTok or create a dedicated website. The possibilities are almost endless.

To help you maximize your earnings, there are tools like Pretty Links. This beginner-friendly tool turns long, clunky affiliate URLs into clean, clickable links that boost your credibility and click-through rate.

Plus, with Pretty Links’ nifty automation features, you can keep making money even while you’re in class. It tracks your links, manages your campaigns, and optimizes your efforts, all while you focus on your studies.

10 Best Affiliate Marketing Programs for College Students

As a college student, finding the right affiliate marketing programs can make a huge difference in earning extra cash.

Whether you're promoting dorm must-haves, study tools, or fun weekend finds, these affiliate programs are perfect for connecting with your fellow students and making money while you do it.

1. Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates is one of the top affiliate programs if you're looking for how to make money online as a college student. With millions of products available – from textbooks to dorm room essentials – you have endless opportunities to promote items that fit your audience’s needs.

And here's a big plus: Amazon uses a universal cookie system. This means that once someone clicks on your affiliate link, you’ll earn a commission on anything they purchase during that session, not just the item you recommended.

So even if they decide to buy a new laptop instead of the dorm decor you were promoting, you still benefit!

However, there’s a catch – the commission rates are fairly low, ranging from just 1% to 3% on most products. For example, promoting physical video games earns just 1%, and items like computers still only bring in up to 2.5%.

While these percentages might seem small, the key to success with Amazon Associates is volume. The more traffic you drive, the better your chances of earning more. If you have a large, engaged audience, Amazon Associates can still be a solid option.

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2. Grammarly

Grammarly's affiliate program is perfect for students figuring out how to make money online as a college student while promoting a tool they already use. Promoting Grammarly to your peers is a natural fit since it offers proofreading, grammar-checking, and readability enhancements – essential services for college students juggling essays, reports, and other assignments.

The Grammarly affiliate program has an impressive conversion rate of 20-30% already, plus you earn $0.20 for every free sign-up. Then the real earning potential is enticing people to sign up for the paid Grammarly packages. For every paid sign-up, you’ll earn a generous $20 commission.

Given the tool’s value for students and professionals alike, it’s an easy product to promote. However, one downside is that Grammarly is a very specific service product, meaning you’ll be limited in what you can promote.

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Additionally, for affiliates outside the U.S., there’s another potential drawback: Grammarly pays only in USD, so you might face conversion fees depending on your location.

Despite these limitations, Grammarly remains a great choice for students seeking an easy way to earn money by promoting a product they likely already use or need.

3. Canva Pro

Canva is an incredibly popular design tool that simplifies graphic design with its drag-and-drop interface. From posters to presentations, Canva likely has a template for it. Therefore, you can easily promote to college students studying arts, graphic design, or similar fields.

Canva’s relatively new affiliate program offers excellent rates, making it an ideal choice for students exploring how to make money online as a college student. It offers an 80% commission rate on the first two months of subscriptions.

If the user decides to pay annually instead, you'll receive 25%, equivalent to $36. Canva also pays commissions for trial signups, rewarding you for each lead you convert.

That said, Canva Pro’s affiliate program does come with some barriers to entry. The brand tends to prioritize affiliates who have a large, existing audience (typically one million monthly visits) and focuses on design influencers and educators.

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This makes it a bit more challenging for newcomers to affiliate marketing to get accepted into the program. However, if you have an established online presence, it’s definitely worth applying.

4. Chegg

Chegg is a well-known educational platform that offers a variety of services highly relevant to college students, making it an ideal brand for affiliate marketers targeting this demographic.

For students exploring how to make money online as a college student, Chegg’s services like tutoring and textbook rentals are directly tied to the needs of their peers.

As an affiliate, Chegg’s program offers competitive commissions. Depending on the service you promote, you can earn anywhere from 15% to 60% per sale. This wide earning potential makes it a great option, especially for those targeting a student audience actively looking for academic resources.

5. Apple Music

Apple Music is a perfect affiliate product for college students, given how much music is integrated into student life. Whether it's listening to study playlists, working out, or unwinding after a long day of classes, music is something most students rely on.

With nearly 75% of college students listening to music while studying, promoting Apple Music can be an easy and effective way to earn commissions.

Their affiliate program offers a great opportunity by letting you promote Apple Music’s free trial, making it easier to attract sign-ups. Once students experience the benefits, upgrading to a paid membership is a natural next step, and you’ll earn a one-time commission for every successful subscription purchase.

The next time you take a walk around campus, make a mental note of how many people have their headphones on. You’ll see that listening to music is incredibly common among college students – making Apple Music an easy sell and a great way to earn commissions.

6. Best Buy

Best Buy is a strong option for affiliate marketers targeting students due to its wide range of electronics, appliances, and tech support services, many of which are essential for college life.

Best Buy’s reputation as a trusted retailer helps students looking for how to make money online as a college student feel confident in promoting their products.

Their frequent student discounts also make Best Buy even more appealing to your audience, giving you a great selling point.

However, it's worth noting that certain product categories, such as laptops, desktops, and gaming hardware, don't offer commissions for new customers. That being said, you can still earn commissions ranging from 0.5% to 6% on other eligible products.

7. Bed Bath & Beyond

Bed Bath & Beyond is a go-to for college students looking to furnish their dorm rooms or apartments, offering everything from bedding and storage to kitchen essentials. Their wide selection of home goods makes it easy for students to create a cozy, functional living space while on a budget.

Plus, the variety goes beyond just home decor – Bed Bath & Beyond also offers practical items like cleaning supplies, skincare products, and small appliances, allowing you to appeal to a wide range of student needs.

With commissions up to 3% per sale, Bed Bath & Beyond’s extensive product line gives you plenty of opportunities to tailor your promotions to your audience’s preferences, making it a great fit for affiliate marketers targeting fellow college students.

As a student affiliate, the best way to sell Bed Bath & Beyond products is not just by telling people to buy from your website and directing them with a link but by also showing them what they should buy with the Pretty Links Product Display add-on.

With this feature, you will be able to showcase a live image of the product, the benefit, and the link to buy – all in one place. Most people can't beat the temptation of buying after seeing what the product looks like and what they stand to gain from it. And when they click, you get paid!

8. Office Depot

Office Depot is an excellent affiliate option for students learning how to make money online as a college student by promoting essential school supplies, tech gear, and dorm necessities. With a wide range of products, Office Depot provides everything students need to stay productive and organized throughout the school year.

In addition to basic supplies, Office Depot’s printing services offer a reliable way for students figuring out how to make money online as a college student to earn commissions. From printing last-minute assignments to important projects, their services are a lifesaver for busy students.

With convenient online ordering, in-store pick-up, and next-day shipping, students can get what they need without the hassle, just in time for that big exam or presentation.

Office Depot frequently offers student discounts and promotions, making it easy for affiliates to drive conversions. Knowing your audience is getting great deals on the products they already rely on means more earning potential for you.

With commissions ranging from 0.5% to 6% depending on the product category, promoting Office Depot allows you to recommend a trusted brand while learning how to make money online as a college student.

9. Walmart

Walmart is a one-stop shop for students, making it an excellent choice for those learning how to make money online as a college student by promoting budget-friendly products.

Beyond just school supplies, Walmart offers a diverse range of products that cater to all aspects of student life – whether it’s stocking up on groceries for meal prep, grabbing some fitness gear for the campus gym, or picking up affordable home decor for a dorm room refresh.

One key advantage for students is Walmart’s budget-friendly pricing. Students on a tight budget can find great deals on everything from daily essentials to electronics, which is why Walmart is a go-to for many. Whether it’s stretching their grocery budget or picking up affordable tech for class, Walmart covers a lot of ground.

Another standout feature is Walmart’s accessibility. With in-store pickup and delivery options, students don’t have to worry about long wait times or hefty shipping fees. This convenience is perfect for students who need supplies in a hurry or prefer the ease of ordering online and picking up in person.

Walmart’s affiliate program offers commissions between 1% and 4% on eligible sales, giving you a wide selection of categories to promote. From back-to-school gear to everyday essentials, you can highlight practical solutions that fit seamlessly into students’ busy lives.

10. Target

If Walmart is the go-to for budget shopping, Target is its stylish sibling – a little more curated, but offering many of the same essentials. Whether it’s school supplies, dorm essentials, or personal care items, Target delivers a similar range of products as Walmart but with a distinct brand appeal.

The brand is especially known for its fashionable home decor, dorm furnishings, and even clothing, offering a bit more personality compared to its competitors.

Plus, Target’s exclusive collaborations with designers give it an edge when students are looking for something unique.

Target’s affiliate program offers commissions between 1% and 8%, which can be higher than Walmart in certain categories. If your audience loves the stylish yet budget-friendly vibe that Target offers, promoting this brand is a great way to connect with students looking for a little more flair in their shopping experience.

While both Target and Walmart offer many of the same products, it often comes down to brand preference. Whether students prefer Walmart or Target, you can cater to their brand loyalty and explore how to make money online as a college student by recommending products that fit their style.

Conclusion

Affiliate marketing is an incredible way to learn how to make money online as a college student without taking time away from your studies. Whether you’re promoting products that your classmates need or sharing your favorite tools and services, it’s an easy way to start building passive income.

With Pretty Links, you can create clean, trackable URLs that make your promotions look professional while maximizing your potential earnings. Plus, it works behind the scenes for you, automating your efforts so you can make money even when you’re focused on school.

Now that you know how to make money online as a college student, it's time to start promoting affiliate products and generating income while still acing your classes.

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