Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)
The Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) provides funds to participating public colleges and universities to offer eligible students opportunities to earn money while gaining career-related experience in their fields of study. LAEP was established in the 2021-22 California State Budget and is administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC); this program will end by 2030-2031.
Information Sessions
For more information on LAEP, you can attend an information session.
For Students
The Career Development Center and Financial Aid and Scholarships will host three information sessions for students during the month of November. Please register via this Student Information Qualtrics form.
For Employers
The Career Development Center and Financial Aid and Scholarships will host three information sessions for employers during the month of November. Please register via this Employer Information Qualtrics form.
Student Eligibility for LAEP
In order to be eligible for LAEP, you must be:
- an undergraduate student or a teaching credential student, and
- enrolled at least half-time, and
- classified as a CA resident, and
- be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and
- eligible to work in the United States, and
- demonstrating financial need, as determined by Financial Aid and Scholarships, and
- from an underrepresented background
You will be considered from an underrepresented background if you are at least one of the following:
- First generation college student
- Current or former foster youth
- Student experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless
- A student with an Expected Family Contribution in the Pell Grant-eligible range (either FAFSA or CADAA)
- Student with a disability
- Displaced worker
- Student with dependent children
- Formerly incarcerated student
- Undocumented students / students meeting the requirements of AB540 (eligible to work in the US)
- Student who is a veteran
LAEP Timeline
- LAEP applications open for interested students to self-identify
- On-Campus employers will post eligible positions for Spring 2023
- Eligible students can apply for on-campus positions for the spring
Students can begin working in on-campus LAEP positions starting the first day of the semester
- LAEP applications open for interested students to self-identify
- On- and Off-Campus employers will post eligible positions for Fall 2023
- Eligible students can apply for on- and off-campus positions for the fall
Students can begin working in on- and off-campus LAEP positions starting the first day of the semester
Frequently Asked Questions
You are able to work up to 20 hours per week, as long as the hours are not during your scheduled class time.
Students must have room within their Cost of Attendance and financial aid in order to be eligible for LAEP funding. Depending on your individual circumstances, eligible students will be awarded between $4,000-$10,000 for an academic year.
No, you cannot work at both a LAEP and a Federal-Work Study position.
If you meet all of the eligibility criteria listed above, you can apply for a LAEP position. When you submit a Program Application through Career Development Center (coming soon), Financial Aid and Scholarships will review your financial need to confirm that eligibility criteria. You will be notified of your eligibility and ability to apply for LAEP positions, after you submit the Program Application.
You can always attend an information session during November 2022; register for the sessions at the Qualtrics link at the top of the page. You can also submit a question via the LAEP email address: LAEP@csulb.edu