You asked:

I’m lucky because I already landed an internship for the summer. But it’s an unpaid position, and I need to make some money to afford the commute. Any suggestions?

Money problems can be stressful, especially when you’re ... well, working for no pay. But don’t panic. Here are a few ways to pull some dollars together to make your internship stint possible:

Get a part-time job. Many internships aren’t full-time, so you should be able to earn a little extra cash while off duty. Consider seasonal jobs in retail and food businesses. Many catering companies hire extra hands in the summer for the high wedding season -- and those positions usually require working evenings and weekends, which shouldn’t interfere with your daytime schedule.

Apply for scholarships and grants. Many schools offer money to students in internship positions -- but you have to apply! Talk with your advisor to figure out what opportunities might be available. Start this process early, as many grants and scholarships have strict deadlines. Some of these funds issue straight-up dough in the form of a check instead of a tuition waiver, which could greatly ease your financial situation this summer.

Go to the bank of Mom and Dad. Ask your parents (or other relatives) for an educational investment or loan so you can survive the summer. Remember to explain what the money will be going toward so they can see how the money will be spent. At the very least, your folks might be willing to float you a gas card and provide money for lunches.

Name: Sarah Arsenoff
School: UNC Wilmington
Year: Senior
Major: Marine Biology
Her Deal: This is Sarah's third year as an R.A. for freshmen and international students. She writes for Periplus, a university newsletter for students who, like her, are in the honors scholars program.

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