Let's face it, economic strain is everywhere these days. Prices are going up, income is going down, and your college fund may not go as far as you once thought it would -- if it exists at all, that is! But the last thing you want to hear is the word "denied" from your checking account when you're just trying to have a little fun. So, how do you get your hands on that extra cash, balance your school and social life, and maybe have a little bit of fun in the process?

Easy! Score a college job that combines it all. Lucky for you, we've done the legwork and found five college jobs to get you started.

1. Athlete Tutor
You don't necessarily have to be an athlete to hang out with the stars of the team. By becoming an athlete tutor you can brush up on your studies, meet new people, and earn some extra cash in the process. Duke University, for instance, pays up to $11.50 an hour and lets you determine your own work schedule based around your classes. All you have to do is fill out an application, determine what subjects you want to tutor and if your name gets added to the list, athletes will contact you. Most major universities have a similar program, so contact the Athletic Department at your school to get the details.

2. Note Taker
If you're doing well in your classes, it's probably because you're taking detailed notes. But did you know you could get paid for those notes you're already taking? Yes, it's just as easy as that. There are many students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing who could benefit from your diligence, and you could benefit from the extra change in your pocket at this college job. To give you an idea of just how much change, Meredith College pays $150 per semester per course, Canisius College pays $50 a class, Berry College pays $6.55 per hour of notetaking, and St. John Fisher College pays $200 per semester per three-credit course (payment is less for one- to two-credit courses). Qualification and payment for this service varies widely from school to school, so make sure you check with your own Academic Affairs department or Disabilities Services Staff.

3. Usher
You know the people that take your ticket or hand you a program before a game or performance at your school auditorium? Seems simple enough, right? Well, my friends, that could be you and the benefits of such a college job go far beyond the simple monetary factors. The Stephen C O'Connell Center at the University of Florida is one such venue that employs part-time students for three different departments: Usher, Technical, and Security. Students make $7.25 per hour, but get to watch all the events for free if they're posted inside the auditorium. Events include sports such as basketball, volleyball and gymnastics, the infamous Gator Growl, or the upcoming Carrie Underwood concert just to name a few. Think of how much money you'll get to keep in your pocket by not having to pay for the ticket, not to mention the social perks.

4. Personal Trainer
If you've seen the popular show "The Biggest Loser" you know exactly what a personal trainer is. But did you ever think that kind of job could put you through college? Larry Rivers, a premed student at the University of Louisiana at Monroe is doing just that. "I work at a gym called Anytime Fitness. They are everywhere and you have access to all the gyms in the country if you are a member. Any student can find a personal trainer job anywhere -- the possibilities are endless when you pursue a personal training job."

Most gyms will require that you have a certification through either AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) or the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine). This doesn't take long to acquire though, so you can do it over your summer break. But once you obtain it, you enter the world where you control what hours you work and $35 an hour for your services is considered pretty cheap. And talk about fringe benefits: "The best thing about my job is that I'm helping people," says Larry. "It's hard to describe the feeling I get when I see a client's face light up when they fit into a pair a jeans they couldn't wear, or even when I see them feel more confident with themselves."

5. Resident Assistant
What do Hilary Clinton, Adam Sandler, Katie Couric and Wesley Snipes all have in common? You guessed it -- they all were a Resident Assistant (or RA) at some point in their college lives. As an RA, you're not only responsible for enforcing campus rules, you also get to hold floor meetings, dabble in conflict management, and plan fun floor activities for the students. No doubt it's a lot of responsibility, but the benefits are undeniable such as free private housing in the dorm and free meal plans. Not to mention employers find this a very attractive asset on a resume or job application because of all the skills you're learning along the way. Now that's forward thinking!

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