One of the most typical attributes associated with college students is the fact that they are “broke.” It’s hard to work a part-time job and go to school. Most students put what money they do make toward books, rent, and loans. They also typically want a low effort job that gives them the money they need, which is why many of them turn to unconventional ways of making money. And I don’t mean selling drugs – I mean selling their blood, or more specifically their plasma.

Plasma is the clear liquid portion of blood that remains once red and white cells as well as platelets have been removed. Plasma is collected through a process called plasmapheresis. The procedure of donating plasma is similar to that of donating blood. A needle is placed into your arm, and whole blood is drawn. The plasma is separated from all other cellular components - which are then returned to your body with a sterile saline solution to help the body replace the plasma removed from the whole blood. The entire process takes about 2 hours to complete.

According to thepennyhoarder.com, a student can make $60-$70 a week by donating their plasma, or $20-$30 a visit. While this may not seem like a lot, think about the fact that you’re basically being paid just to sit around. Some plasma centers offer sign-up bonuses that significantly increase the amount you can earn for your donation. Many students will bring books and homework to do while they donate. You can be productive with school work and get paid at the same time.

Donating any part of your body can be risky; however, plasma donation is one of the least dangerous. It poses about the same risks as giving blood. Before you opt in, there are some eligibility requirements you have to go through, which vary by each state. At the very least, you must be at least 18 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. Some organizations require passing two health screenings and testing for transmissible viruses. To make sure your health and fitness levels are suitable for donation, the American Red Cross suggests maintaining a healthy iron level by eating foods like red meat, beans, spinach, and poultry, drinking lots of water, and avoiding fatty foods before your appointment.

While this could seem like a great way to make some quick cash, there is a dark side to this industry. Most of the companies that pay for plasma are for-profit companies that prey on people in struggling situations – like college kids and underprivileged communities. According to ABC, nearly 80 percent of the plasma centers in the U.S. are located in America’s poorer neighborhoods. Most of these clinics say you can safely donate plasma twice a week. This is considered safe by the FDA; however, the American Red Cross recommends people only donate every 28 days. So, there are some inconsistencies with the safety and time between donations which make the profit companies look suspicious.

If you are thinking about donating plasma for some quick cash, make sure you consider all the possibilities before doing so. Be safe – make an educated decision about the clinic you choose and how often you donate. Do your research and probably don’t donate anywhere that looks questionable - $30 may or may not be worth it depending on the potential risks to yourself.