Is it posible for a freshman to earn $5,000 per year, taking summer into account?

<p>I live outside USA, so I really do not have an idea of what can be possible to earn there.
I will study in California and my college (Harvey Mudd) expects me to contribute with about $2,000 of work study. I suppose that that quantity can be achieved during the academic year.</p>

<p>Do you think it may be possible to earn besides the 2K, $3,000 more? </p>

<p>I may need them to complete the EFamilyContribution. In the summer, I may go to New York to my uncle's house expecting to earn more there. </p>

<p>I need a GOOD estimate. A conservative figure.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>Yes, you can make 3,000 over the summer, but it depends.</p>

<p>Say you get a job that pays 8 dollars an hour (assuming after taxes), which is a pretty good job. Now, how much will you work? If you decide to work, lets say 30 hours a week and for 12 weeks. This ends up being 2,880 dollars after less than 3 months at a bit under a full time job. </p>

<p>I think you could definetly make 2,500 - 4,000 in the course of 3 months at most jobs available for college students. The higher figure would be for a higher paying job (if lucky enough for something around 10 dollars an hour) and for working full time. </p>

<p>If you could only land some minimum wage job, at say 6 an hour after taxes, this would fall in the 2,000 - 2,500 range in 3 months of working say 30ish hours a week. </p>

<p>It's definetly a possiblity though, so I wish you luck.</p>

<p>Hmm... My junior year of high school, I took home about 10k working in a restuarant (no tips). I worked about 45 (? i'm approximating)/week hours during the summer, 30-35 during the school year. That's way too much for college, though. If I calculate my hourly wage by a more reasonable 20 hours a week during the school year and 35 hours during the summer, I get $7980, or $6783 after 15% is taken off for taxes. So you could work less.</p>

<p>However, I'll warn you about a few things... Chances are you'll be stuck in some crappy no skill job. You might not get a regular 20/hour a week or 35/hour a week schedule. Sometimes employers will start you off working for less hours per week and then increase your hours as you gain experience/seniority. Some people don't have problems with that, but it's just a warning... Get your hours in writing if need be.</p>

<p>Another thing-- do you have the move during the year? It would such a hassle. You'd have to start looking for summer NY employment as early as March, worry again about your hours, and then go without pay for the while you're "between" jobs. Argh... While it's not impossible, it sounds like a major headache.</p>

<p>Short answer: yes, very possible. :)</p>

<p>Kid from here got 7k freshman year during the summer for reseach (Carnegie Mellon) as well as food/living.</p>

<p>The way that work study usually works (at least at colleges that I got in to) is that you can find a job a campus and the employer pays half your salary, while the college pays half. This will usually give you a higher wage. Also, these jobs are usually pretty easy to find but you can only work at them until you made your 2000.</p>

<p>Easily possible. I expect to make about $2500 for 6 weeks of work this summer. And that's only because I've sacrified money for a job I actually enjoy. Some of my friends make a lot more doing more tedious jobs.</p>

<p>Also, find out if the money you make doing work study is taxable income. If it's not, you might be able to earn another $5k on top of that and still be exempt from federal income tax. Not sure though, you'll have to dig through the IRS site.</p>

<p>YES, definitely. get a job in the food industry; try to get a job at a country club or some other high-end establishment. if you're willing to sacrifice the hours (especially the weekend nights...ergh), you can make that 5000$ easily.</p>

<p>yes. quite possible</p>

<p>Yes. Start your own business.</p>

<p>i'm pretty sure minimum wage is higher on the west coast, my friend goes to school in Seattle, Washington and minimum there is like $11 or $12 something. So california might be around the same. Plus if you get a job as a waiter/waitress out there i've heard you get something like $5 or $6 an hour PLUS tips, which could work out really well.</p>