College is becoming increasingly expensive, and many young people are concerned about taking on a large amount of debt in the form of student loans. Even if you will need to use loans to pay for some of your college tuition, it’s a good idea to look for ways you can save money to help cut down on what you need to borrow.

You may not realize it, but there are plenty of innovative ways that students can start to earn money to pay for their education. In some cases, you may not even have to leave your dorm to find a side job or a scholarship program that can help you manage the rising cost of going to college. Read on to learn more about three unique ways to earn money for college.

1. Become a professional gamer.

If you have elite skills in some of the more popular games like League of Legends, Dota 2, or Fortnite, you can even try getting involved in the competitive scene. The prize money for large tournaments can be significant. Even if you aren’t interested in competing at the highest level, many people make substantial side income streaming games on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Streaming is a particularly great job for a student, as the hours are flexible and you can work from the comfort of your own home.

You’ll need to get the right equipment if you want to start streaming or gaming professionally. A high-end camera and microphone setup will be necessary, and you’ll need to find a quiet place to film. Take the time to research the best mic for streaming, as you want to make sure that your viewers can hear you clearly. Sound and video quality are important to viewers, and if you play multiplayer games, being able to communicate with your teammates is essential to winning on a consistent basis.

2. Look for interesting scholarships.

Scholarships can help you pay for a significant amount of your college tuition, so it’s a good idea to start looking for them early. You can receive scholarships for a number of achievements, from exceptional performance in certain extracurricular activities to awards based on academic merit. National honor society scholarship opportunities often have specific requirements for your GPA, so make sure you keep your grades up. Your high school counselor can talk to you about what college scholarships you might be eligible for and help you with your scholarship applications.

3. Start your own small business.

The internet has made it easier than ever for anyone to become an entrepreneur. No matter what your hobby or skill is, there are probably ways you can monetize it. If you’re a talented student or writer, you could tutor younger kids or offer to help edit papers and essays. Artistically inclined students can look into opening a shop on a platform like Etsy to sell their crafts. You should also ask family members and neighbors if they have any odd jobs, tasks, or errands that you can help with in exchange for money.

If you want to avoid the burden of hefty student loans, you should start thinking about ways to help pay for your degree early. You might be surprised by the ways you can use your interests and talents to generate income or even start your own business. Don’t neglect to look for scholarships: you may have better chances of winning than you think. An academic advisor can help you find need-based and merit scholarships that you qualify for. No matter how you plan to finance your education, there are few things more worth investing in than yourself and your future.