Learning-Aligned Employment Program Launches; provides 100% funding for on-campus, student research positions

Career Success and Financial Aid & Scholarships are excited to announce the launch of the Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP). LAEP is a nine-year, state-funded, work-based learning program similar to federal work-study. The program offers eligible students the opportunity to earn money to help defray their educational costs while gaining education-aligned, career-related employment.

LAEP will fund 100% of eligible student wages for on-campus, research-focused employment until the students' award is exhausted. Research is not limited to scientific research and can take place outside of an academic discipline. The research must be directed and supervised by a “research mentor”. A research mentor is a faculty, staff or another mentor (non-graduate student) who will determine research requirements.

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office will determine eligible students, all of whom will come from underrepresented backgrounds and meet the following criteria: 

  • Maintain at least half-time academic enrollment
  • Classified as a California resident
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress in their undergraduate degree program
  • Have demonstrated financial need 
  • Are eligible to work in the United States.

We encourage you to submit a LAEP job posting request for any research-based opportunities you think may qualify as a LAEP on-campus opportunity for the 2022-2023 academic year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and LAEP jobs will start on or after February 1, 2023 and end by June 15, 2023. You can visit the Career Success website to learn more about LAEP. All questions can be directed to the Experiential Learning and Student Employment Team at Career Success: ucscel@ucsc.edu

We strongly encourage you to share this announcement with any on-campus colleagues who might be interested in hosting LAEP students.