Healthcare students are turning to platforms like OnlyFans and prediction markets to cover their tuition and living expenses.

Pursuing a career in medicine and related fields is challenging. The intense responsibility, long hours, and high-stress environment are not for everyone and demand years of dedicated training and adjustment. Moreover, healthcare students face more than just navigating life-and-death situations or preparing for rigorous exams. They also need to support themselves through a lengthy and costly education, leading many to seek alternative income sources, as highlighted by Clasp, a workforce infrastructure company. Clasp’s survey of 1,000 participants revealed insights into how students fund their education and manage their finances. The survey found that over 70% of healthcare students frequently use platforms like Kalshi or FanDuel, with responses collected between June 16 and 28. Concerningly, only half of the participants reported financial gains from these activities, while the other half experienced losses. One student won $50,000, yet another lost the same amount. The survey also indicated that 14 respondents earned more than $5,000, but at least two others faced similar losses, with average gains or losses ranging from $100 to $1,000. Clasp CEO Tess Michaels expressed concern over this pattern, pointing out that students are turning to these platforms not for entertainment, but to try and make a profit. Many are barely breaking even, she noted. Time is very precious in healthcare, and there are different ways to earn extra money. Typically, the quickest ways to access cash will be more appealing, Michaels explained. Interestingly, prediction platforms are more favored by male students, with only a fifth of female students engaging in these activities. However, healthcare students also explore other options like YouTube, TikTok, Substack, and OnlyFans, though these can be challenging to use for consistent income generation. This trend is alarming, as prediction markets and betting platforms should not be viewed as viable strategies for funding education.