Passive Income on a Student Budget?
Let’s be real, being a student is expensive. Between tuition, textbooks, and late-night takeout (because, let’s face it, instant noodles only go so far), your wallet can feel pretty empty. But what if you could set up small systems that make you money while you sleep, study, or scroll TikTok?
That’s the magic of passive income—and no, it’s not just for tech bros or millionaires. You can actually get started with less than $100, and in some cases, for free!
This blog walks you through 10 simple passive income ideas that are perfect for students: low-cost, low-risk, and beginner-friendly. Let’s get that side hustle rolling!
Use these ideas as inspiration to spark your next hobby or project so that you can earn a little extra while you study.
Sell Digital Products on Etsy or Gumroad
Got a knack for design, writing, or organization? Try creating:
- Printable planners or study guides
- Resume templates
- Digital stickers or social media templates
- Class notes (only if it’s allowed by your school!)
Cost to start: ~$10–$30 (design tools like Canva Pro, or a small Etsy listing fee)
Why it works: You make it once, and it sells again and again. Consistency is key. The more quality work you put out there, the more opportunity of new sales you have!
Tools: Canva, Etsy, Gumroad
Launch a Print-on-Demand Store
Design funny, aesthetic, or niche t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases with zero inventory using platforms like Redbubble, TeeSpring, or Printful.
Cost to start: Free or <$50 (for design tools or to connect to Shopify)
Why it works: No upfront inventory. Just upload your designs and earn per sale. The platforms handle printing and shipping, you only manage the designs and customer service.
Tip: Target trends or student niches like “finals week mood” merch.
Start a Niche Instagram or Pinterest Page
If you love curating content, visuals, or memes, build a niche page around:
- Study hacks
- Dorm life tips
- Budget-friendly meals
- Motivational quotes for students
Monetize through digital product sales or shoutouts down the line.
Cost to start: Free
Why it works: It takes time to build, but once it grows, it can become a money-maker. I personally used to have a Car-themed instagram where I would repost car builds and car photography. 1-post a day wasn't a lot of work, but I started to get a lot of followers once I had a solid profile. Once you have a following, you can offer promos to other profiles to pay you to be featured on your page for exposure.
Pro move: Batch-create content using Canva.
Write an eBook (Yes, Really)
Think you have nothing to write about? Think again.
- Study hacks that worked for you
- A “How I Got Into College” guide
- Productivity tips for students
- Niche hobby guides
Self-publish it on Amazon KDP or Gumroad.
Cost to start: $0–$50 (cover design, formatting software)
Why it works: Books sell forever, especially if they solve a problem. You have services like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing that will take care of printing your physical book or journal or offer a digital version of your book on Kindle for cheaper.
Start a Faceless YouTube Channel
Don’t want to be on camera? No worries! Create YouTube videos with:
- Slides + voiceovers
- AI-generated avatars or voice
- Screen recordings (study-with-me videos)
Passive income kicks in through ads after you hit the YouTube Partner Program threshold.
Cost to start: Free–$50 (mic, editing software, Canva Pro)
Why it works: Once videos are up, they keep earning. Build an idea list and a channel topic and there are many new tools out there that can generate the content easily from a prompt. This also works for TikTok!
Create a Simple Blog
If you enjoy writing, a niche blog on something you’re passionate about (like gaming, personal finance, or study tips) can generate passive income over time with ad revenue and digital products.
Cost to start: ~$50–$70 (domain + hosting)
Why it works: SEO brings in readers 24/7, and content lives forever. The more articles you have the more likely someone will see your site. Simple ads can earn you revenue and you can also sell merch or earn commissions through affiliate links if you promote products.
Platforms: WordPress, Medium (free), or Substack
Launch a Podcast
Got opinions or cool stories? Podcasts are blowing up.
Monetization can come through sponsorships or premium episodes later on.
Cost to start: ~$50 (basic mic, hosting)
Why it works: Each episode becomes a long-term asset that keeps getting discovered.
Pro tip: Keep episodes short and niche-focused like "Study Snacks & Life Hacks."
Sell Stock Photos or Videos
Are you already snapping cool pics on your phone? Sites like Pexels, Shutterstock, and Adobe Stock pay for user-submitted photos and videos.
Focus on:
- Campus life
- Study setups
- Diverse student lifestyle content
Cost to start: Free–$50 (editing software or ring light)
Why it works: Your uploads can earn over and over again. Lots of content creators and bloggers need stock photos to use for posters, banners, and websites. If you're a photographer by trade or hobby, uploading those photos you took on your morning walk could start paying you!
Join Affiliate Programs for Student Tools
Even though this blog doesn’t include affiliate links, it’s still a passive income option YOU can try. Promote tools you already love (like Grammarly or Notion) and earn commissions when someone signs up through your unique link.
Cost to start: Free
Why it works: You recommend, they click, you earn.
Platforms: Impact, ShareASale, Amazon Associates
Sell Notion Templates
If you're organized and love Notion, create templates for:
- Class schedules
- Budget trackers
- Project planners
Sell them via Gumroad or your own site.
Cost to start: Free
Why it works: Students love templates that save time and mental energy. Some templates are simple to create and in high-demand compared to the off the shelf templates. It can be easy to sell a helpful template for $1 to thousands of users.
Quick Recap: Passive Income Ideas for Students Under $100
Here’s the full list again—pick one and start small:
- Sell Digital Products
- Print-on-Demand Store
- Instagram or Pinterest Page
- Write an eBook
- Faceless YouTube Channel
- Start a Blog
- Launch a Podcast
- Sell Stock Photos
- Affiliate Marketing
- Sell Notion Templates
FAQs
Q: What’s the easiest passive income idea for a broke student?
A: Try selling digital downloads or Notion templates—super low startup cost and easy to learn.
Q: How long does it take to see income?
A: Most passive income streams take a few weeks or months to pick up. Consistency = key!
Q: Do I need tech skills for any of these?
A: Nope! Most platforms are beginner-friendly with tutorials everywhere.
What’s Next?
Start with one idea, set a small goal (like making your first $10), and build from there. You don’t need a business degree, fancy gear, or tons of time; you just need to start.
Still unsure where to begin? Pick the idea that sounds most fun to you. Passion makes passive income way more sustainable. I picked up blogging because I found I like writing and sharing knowledge. It's also given me a stronger desire to learn new things and master new skills.
Passive income is not a 1-day get-rich-quick project. It takes consistency and a little dedication. That just means sitting down for 30 minutes each day to make a little progress on what you are interested in. Skip a doom scroll and invest in yourself.