Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) 

LAEP is a new state work-study program that provides funding for on-campus, undergraduate student research positions that align with a student’s career goals, objectives, or exploration. Positions must be at least 51% research-based.

• Qualifications for the LAEP Program

  • All on-campus employers who have research-based positions that meet the criteria below are eligible to participate in the LAEP program. 

  • Criteria for LAEP positions:  

    • Research positions will be defined as jobs where students have direct opportunities to participate in academic or scientific research by either conducting and/or assisting their research supervisor/mentor.   

    • Research positions may have other tasks/assignments but the majority of the role must be research based (greater than 50%) 

    • Research must be directed and supervised by faculty or staff member who will determine research requirements 

  • LAEP-funded, research-based positions that meet the above criteria can only be offered to Work-Study eligible students. Student eligibility includes:  

    • Undergraduate students only 

    • Demonstrate financial need (be Work-Study eligible based on FAFSA results) 

    • Enrolled in at least half-time units 

    • Be considered a CA resident 

    • Maintain satisfactory academic progress 

    • Eligibility to work in the US 

    • Self-certify that this role would help them in their future career goals 

  • Off-campus employers from public schools and nonsectarian, nonpolitical organizations will be eligible to participate in the program to host internship opportunities for UCR students utilizing LAEP funding. UCR will be piloting this program in Fall 2023, and are looking for a few organizations who would be willing to partner. Please contact our team at careercenter@ucr.edu to learn more. 
• Parameters of the LAEP Program

  • LAEP Employers must develop research-based positions that will provide students with meaningful learning experiences and help meet their educational or career goals 

  • All positions must be posted on Handshake and will be reviewed by our team to ensure we are meeting LAEP guidelines. See Hiring a Federal Work-Study or LAEP Student to get started. 

    • If you have already selected a student you’d like to hire for the position and have confirmed with the student their Work-Study eligibility via the student’s Work-Study Eligibility Notification Form, you will still need to post your position as a RESERVED position on Handshake.  

  • The LAEP Program is a year-round program which begins a new cycle in the summer quarter (July) and ends in the Spring quarter (June). 

    • The LAEP Program is available during the summer quarter on a limited basis. Reach out to workstudy@ucr.edu to see if your opportunities and/or students meet the qualifications. 

  • Students are eligible to work up to 19 hours per week during school sessions or up to 39 hours per week during any full week when classes are not in session.  

    • PLEASE NOTE: For Summer LAEP positions, a student will need to be enrolled at least half-time either in the summer quarter or in following fall quarter. Student enrollment will be verified by the LAEP team prior to proceeding with the program. 

  • Positions are fully funded up to the student's Work-Study allocation for the academic year (beginning July and ending in June). If they are working in another Work-Study or LAEP position, this may limit the total number of hours they would be available for your position. In the event a student depletes his or her award, the employer may terminate the student employee, or assume 100% of the hourly wage thereafter. 

  • The LAEP Program is a year-round program has been piloted during the summer quarter (July) and will end in the Spring quarter (June). 
    • Due to this year being a pilot year with offering LAEP during the summer, future summers are still pending.
    • Reach out to workstudy@ucr.edu to see if your opportunities and/or students meet the qualifications.