Work-Study Program

Learn More about the Work-Study Program

The Work-Study Program is now offering two opportunities to gain valuable experience during your college career. If you are Work-Study eligible, you now have the opportunity to apply this award for a student employment position through the Federal Work-Study Program and/or the Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP). Learn more about eligibility requirements and important dates and deadlines below .

Federal Work-Study Program

Federal Work-Study eligibility is a need-based employment program created by the federal Department of Education. It is based on financial need and the availability of funds for each award year. Renewal allocations are available to students with Federal Work-Study earnings in the previous award year. When sufficient funds are available, it is sometimes possible to request replacement of a student loan with Work-Study.

Eligibility

For the 2023-2024 academic year, students must have an Expected Family Contribution between $0- $6,657 (based on their FAFSA) to be considered for the program and also meet the following requirements: 

 At least half-time enrollment
 California resident classification 
 Maintain satisfactory academic progress 
Demonstrate financial need 
Eligibility to work in the United States

Process

Step #1: Determining Your Eligibility: Review your financial aid offer to see if you were awarded Work-Study. If you are not currently Work-Study eligible, but have the a qualifying EFC and meet the eligibility criteria, contact our office to review your eligibility at finaid@ucr.edu.

Step #2: Finding a Work-Study Position : For students who are looking for a new Work-Study position, Work-Study positions will be posted on Handshake. Be sure to check regularly for any openings. They will be labeled Work-Study and are only visible to students who have accepted their award on R’Web. See steps below to get started.

Getting Hired

Once you have been offered a Work-Study position by an employer, fill out the Work-Study New Hire Form and continue the onboarding process by completing any necessary paperwork and/or appointments. 

Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)

The Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) is a new, state Work-Study program that provides eligible students with the opportunity to earn money to help offset their educational costs while gaining career-related employment experience. On campus LAEP positions must be research-based and help the student with career exploration, their career objectives, or related to their area of study.

Eligibility

For the 2023-2024 academic year, students must have an Expected Family Contribution between $0- $6,657 (based on their California Dream Act Application or FAFSA) to be considered for the program and also meet the following requirements: 

At least half-time enrollment  
California resident classification 
Satisfactory academic progress in a program leading to a degree or certificate 
Demonstrate financial need 
Eligibility to work in the United States

Priority will be given to eligible students who are first-generation college students, current/former foster youth, homeless, or at risk of being homeless. Further priority will be given to eligible students majoring in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) discipline. 

Process

Step #1: Determining Your Eligibility  :Review your financial aid offer to see if you were awarded Work-Study. If you are eligible for Work-Study, you are likely LAEP eligible as well. If you are not currently Work-Study eligible, but have the a qualifying EFC and meet the eligibility criteria, contact our office to review your eligibility at finaid@ucr.edu .

Step #2: Finding a LAEP Position : For students who are already participating in research at a location that may qualify as a LAEP employer, please connect your employer with the Financial Aid Office at finaid@ucr.edu to get started. You may use the subject line ‘Potential LAEP Employer’. This approach may be beneficial for students who are currently participating in unpaid research and that can be funded through LAEP.  For students who are looking for a new LAEP position, LAEP positions will be posted on Handshake. Be sure to check regularly for any openings. They will be labeled LAEP/Work-Study. See steps below to get started.

Getting Hired

Once you have been offered a LAEP position by an employer, fill out the Work-Study New Hire Form and continue the onboarding process by completing any necessary paperwork and/or appointments. 

Accessing Work-study Jobs on Handshake

Accessing Work-Study Jobs on Handshake: 
To view work-study positions on Handshake, you will have needed to accept your award first on R’Web.   Within 48 hours, you should be able to access Work-Study or LAEP jobs through the following instructions:  
- Go to Jobs, click on Filters, and select Work-Study, and Show Results. (Work-Study positions are only viewable on Handshake to Work-Study eligible students). 
Here you will find opportunities for both on-campus and off-campus Work-Study approved sites.  Positions will continue to be posted throughout the year. If you are not seeing what you are looking for, be sure to visit often for updated positions. 

PLEASE NOTE: If you are being rehired for an on-campus Work-Study position, the department will need to post this position on Handshake as a RESERVED position. This position will not be viewable on Handshake. Please refer these questions to careercenter@ucr.edu for questions related to this process. 
If you are invited for an interview: 

Be sure to download your 2023-2024 Federal Work-Study Eligibility Notification form at https://wswf.ucr.edu/ prior to your interview, and share this form with the employer.

Work-study Student Orientation Recording

Work-study Program Student Guide

Work-study New Hire Form

Work-study FAQs

Important Dates & Deadlines 

Federal Work-Study Program Dates & Deadlines

2023 – 2024 Dates & Deadlines
August 21, 2023	Work-Study Job Postings Live on Handshake Students may begin to apply for 23-24 Work-Study positions
September 18, 2023	Work-Study eligibility period begins Students able to work up to 19 hours per week
September 27, 2023	Student Employment Fair Open to all UCR Students, on- and local off-campus employers. Work-Study employers encouraged to attend. Hosted in HUB 302. Registration open until September 20, 2023.
December 11 – 21, 2023	Winter Break Classes not in session; Students able to work up to 39 hours for winter break
March 25 – 29, 2024	Spring Break Classes not in session; Students able to work up to 39 hours for spring break
June 22, 2024	Work-Study eligibility period concludes Last day students may use Work-Study funds

LAEP Program Dates & Deadlines

2023 – 2024 Dates & Deadlines
July 1, 2023	LAEP eligibility opens for Summer 2023 (start of new AY 23-24) Student must be enrolled in Summer Sessions (at least ½ time) OR enrolled in Fall 2023. Student must also have 23-24 financial aid offer.
September 1, 2023	LAEP eligibility period concludes for Summer 2023
September 18, 2023	Work-Study eligibility period begins for Fall 2023 Students able to work up to 19 hours per week
December 11 – 21, 2023	Winter Break Classes not in session; Students able to work up to 39 hours for winter break
March 25 – 29, 2024	Spring Break Classes not in session; Students able to work up to 39 hours for spring break
June 22, 2024	Work-Study eligibility period concludes Last day students may use Work-Study funds

Contact us

Career Center

Work-Study Program

Learn More about the Work-Study Program

Federal Work-Study Program

Eligibility

Process

Getting Hired

Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)

Eligibility

Process

Getting Hired

Accessing Work-study Jobs on Handshake

Important Dates & Deadlines

Career Center