Have you tried a temp agency? They’re designed to find work for people in your situation, basically ASAP.

In the meantime, could you try fast food or coffee shops? It’s not ideal, but at least it would be a paycheck, and there are often openings.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this!

This sucks, but have you considered selling blood or plasma? There is a place in my town that pays up to $120 a month for plasma.
Its really no fun at all but it gives you a little money super fast. I have had to do it a few times. It helps out the medical community though, so thats a plus!!!

Good luck! I am so sorry you are dealing with this. It is so rough to make it sometimes.

There is a place in our town that says they pay $70 a week for plasma. I’ve been tempted to do it myself.

I had a friend in undergrad who made extra money by signing up for medical and pscyh experiment stuff and the unviersity. And it wasn’t like, weird freaky stuff like taking weird drugs or anything like that, most of it was like ‘run on a treadmill for 30 minutes three days a week’ or eat something or take a particular vitamin at a certain time or a certain number of times a day. Sometimes it was just ‘fill out this survey’. If your school is a big one and they do a lot of student employees, it’s been my experience that the gyms usually need a lot of people, especially in the summer when all the students leave. And the hours that they need are usually the weird ones, early mornings and nights and might not interfere.
And for plasma it might depend on where you were out of the country. Might as well call, $30 could definitely make a difference.

If you found a job giving you more hours, could you quit your other job if the days conflicted? You have a legitimate reason for seeking other employment. You are not able to support yourself on only 10 hours a week.

I really hate to suggest this. But what about retail? You would be able to have more flexibility with your schedule. I worked retail right after I graduated from high school and worked about 20 hours a week while I was going to school and then over the summer, I got more hours. If you start applying at places like retail or food places, do NOT put a limited flexibility on the application. You don’t mention it until it comes up in an interview. Otherwise they may not even consider your application.

I just hate suggesting it because retail generally sucks. But it’s a job with usually the most flexibility

I agree with the Temp Agency route, because they will call you for an assignment, and if you know you can’t work that day, you just tell them you are not available. Or you give them your schedule if it’s fairly routine ahead of time. People need temps in the summer because they take 1-2 week vacations, so often they are very, very short term. At least you can talk to one locally and ask them what their policy is in terms of helping.

Also, I would go immediately to your school and ask to speak to their financial aide office. First, they may have a student work placement service that you don’t even know about. I know that FAU has dozens of jobs listed online that are designated “student” openings, which means they are reserved from the public for their own students. The pay is lower, but it’s the same as retail and may count toward some of your credits as a benefit if it’s within the school itself.
Second, they may know if you qualify for a scholarship or loan for your schooling itself that you were not aware of. If you get assistance from them for going there, it may take the pressure off of what you need to earn or save throughout the year.
Third, you can go to your bank where your account is and inquire about a personal loan. That usually is about $2,000 to see you through a problem time, that you can pay back later. It can be less than that amount of course, but they may be able to help. I know that if you have any bills that are regular like credit cards or car payments, you can apply for a Hardship waiver that will dramatically reduce your monthly bill for a few months. The bank may be able to help you learn about that, too.
Finally, be sure you aren’t eligible for some gov’t. assistance for students who need to work. I was online recently and there are several new programs to help people in different situations. A website that ends in .gov will be on the right track to finding out more info.

I’m glad you made it clear you were not asking for financial help from anyone here. That is a big no-no and your subject line is a bit misleading. I would suggest you add to it: “Need money: advice only please” so it’s clear to all of us and you don’t get alerts sent to have us stop your post. Thanks.

Definitely try a temp agency!

What kind of stores are in your town? Places like grocery stores and fast food are often hiring – it might not be many hours or much money, but it’s better than nothing.

Can you get a job with the university? Sometimes they have jobs cleaning beakers in labs and things like that.

Can you explain more about the conflict of interest part? It seems rather unfair of your current job to limit your options by claiming conflict of interest, yet not bothering to give you more than 10 hours.

Oh yeah, I’m not sure what it’s called but your financial aide office should know, there is some kind of small loan available for students that is generally used for things like laptops, I think it’s about $1000 and the name seems like it was something about special circumstances or something to that effect.

Have you tried contacting any community assistance programs? In OK they are called “Community Action Project” and of course, Salvation Army, as well as some churches. They help you in a crisis sometimes. I think the programs are more designed for single mothers and families but it couldn’t hurt to call them. They may even have a job available or a lead for you.
Gas stations are usually hiring, too.

Could you find any professors or other grad students in your department (or another) who would pay for some data entry? What about tutoring for summer classes (you could put up flyers around campus and maybe get an undergrad or two), or what about nannying or babysitting? Or pet sitting or dog walking?

I’m in grad school too, so I know it’s tough! Luckily I get paid in the summer too, but I also have to pay half of my tuition, which makes every penny count.

Good luck, and hang in there!

Petsitting!

I was thinking petsitting or petwalking after I logged off the computer last night.

I needed extra money this summer too, so I posted ads for housesitting/petsitting and dog walking on craigslist and kijiji and I found a few really good clients! There were a couple of people that contacted me and were really weird so I just said I wasn’t available I also told everyone I knew that I was looking and I found 2 jobs through word of mouth.

I charged 30 a night to stay at a house with 2 horses, cat, and dog. 25 for a geriatric incontinent dog, because he needed so much extra care. And I usually charge 15 a night for one dog and or cat and 5 or 10 if it is a small cage animal that I can bring into my house. I have been told that I charge less than most, so it’s all up to you.

It’s a great easy way to make money because it doesn’t interfere with work

Petsitting or dog walking is a good idea. One way to avoid weirdos is to put up a flyer or give flyers or business cards (Vistaprint makes them free for $10 shipping) to local vets. They know their patients, so they may be a bit safer to be contacted by. Or the vet could word-of-mouth recommend you.

also, post a flyer within the school office building where only faculty, staff and students would see it. Craigslist is too out there I think.
(Thanks for changing the subject line btw.)

I know it’s awful being broke- I’m 42 and still live paycheck to paycheck sometimes, even though I’m a landlord O: . Such are the problems of a high school drop-out- I lecture my kids on that constantly.That’s why it’s great that you’re getting an education- that’s the most important thing for your future.
But I know it would be nice to be living indoors with electricity and food in the meanwhile. How about asking your parents to cosign a loan? I know they don’t want to give you any more $$ so maybe that’s an option. Also, how firm are they on absolutely not giving you any more $$? Sometimes a little begging can work wonders with parents. If that’s a no-go, I think selling some stuff at the 2nd hand shop and selling blood/plasma is a good idea. Everyone has come up with good options- petsitting is good to- quick $$ and under the table too. Also, make sure to make the rounds to local restaurants/fast food places/stores regularly and see if they need any help- people quit those jobs all the time. Something has to turn up- you only need to hang in there for a little while longer.
Oh yeah! Call the utillity companies and tell them you’re having a financial hardship. It will keep them from shutting your utilities off while you come up with paperwork documenting your situation. They should work with you- I’ve done that before. Look into going to a food pantry if there’s one near you- there’s no shame in it. Good luck!

I know you’ve mentioned it, but I would encourage you to look into tutoring undergraduates. I tutored basic sciences for my university’s tutoring/learning center, and while I didn’t make a tremendous amount of money, it was an easy way to make a steady paycheck.