This story was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity and flow. 

“Definitely check around to see if your kid has any local opportunities like this. Good luck!” – Julia R. 

Getting a part-time job is a rite of passage for many high school students. It turns out some part-time jobs can provide more than extra cash–they can also provide scholarships. 

A Job That Pays in More Ways Than One

PFC 101 member Julia R. wanted to let other parents know that her son received a $3,500 employee scholarship from the local business where he’s been working for the past four years. 

Julia’s son started as a dishwasher when he was 15 years old and was eventually promoted to a pantry chef. Now in college, if he works during his summer and winter breaks, he can receive up to $20,000 in scholarships. 

Teen Jobs That Pay for College 

After Julia posted about her son, parents in our group said they were excited to learn about the possibility of their students earning scholarships from jobs. “This is just icing on the cake!,” said Sandi H. 

Several more parents shared that their students also acquired similar scholarships through part-time jobs. 

“My son was a caddy and received a caddy scholarship of $5,000 a year for four years. So, $20,000 in total.”  – Elizabeth K. 

A few fast-food companies give hourly employees tuition reimbursement for degree programs. Chipotle, Taco Bell and McDonald’s all offer tuition assistance for workers. 

Sheri M. said that her daughter started working at Chick-Fil-A when she was 14 years old and received a $2,500 scholarship. 

Benefits Other Than Scholarships 

Even if a scholarship isn’t attached, a part-time job gives students the opportunity to put a paycheck toward their higher education learning. 

Jennifer K. shared that her daughter started working at a local diner when she was 15 years old. She received good pay and worked a lot. While she didn’t get a scholarship, her employer did give her a graduation gift and a Christmas bonus for her work. 

Other parents were quick to note that a part-time job can be about more than the money and scholarships you earn. It’s a great way to learn financial responsibility. 

There’s more…parent Castle A. pointed out that many colleges value prospective students who work part-time because it shows they’re hirable and can work with others. 

“I never thought of making my kids work the summers until an admissions counselor said how highly it is perceived by admissions and scholarship boards. It’s a good thing to have them get a job.” – Castle A. 

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