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Financial Aid and Scholarships

The Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) offers eligible students at public colleges and universities the opportunity to earn money to help defray their educational costs while gaining education-aligned, career-related employment. LAEP allows a participating student placement in an educationally beneficial position that relates to the student’s area of study, career objective, or the exploration of career objectives. The program includes and emphasizes positions for students with employers that are capable of providing them with full-time employment opportunities after graduation, or opportunities to connect with other employers that are capable of providing them with full-time employment opportunities after graduation, within their areas of study.

Our Campus will have around 250 positions available under this program and student must meet and maintain program eligibility requirements

Attention: We are no longer accepting request for LAEP - The funding and efforts allocated for 23/24 AY are now spent . You may inquire about this program later in 2024 summer for the 24/25 AY

Program Requirements

Eligible students must meet all the following criteria:

  • Must be enrolled at least half-time
  • California resident classification
  • Satisfactory academic progress
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Eligibility to work in the United States
  • Employed in an approved research position on campus
  • High need defined as:
    Qualifies for Pell Grant,
    OR
    Expected Family Contribution of $6657 or lower for Dreamers

All eligible students will see a link on their financial aid notification (FAN) stating student qualifies for LAEP.

For UCLA LAEP questions contact us via Message Center and make sure to include LAEP in the subject.

NOTE: Positions managed by UCLA Health that participate in "volunteer service" are not eligible for LAEP funding. This may refer to departments in the School of Nursing, Dentistry and Medicine

CSAC webpage for additional program resources

FAQs

Prospective Students

The Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) offers eligible low-income students the opportunity to earn money to help defray their educational costs while gaining education-aligned, career-related employment. This state-supported program will allow UCLA to offer about 250 positions in the 23/24 academic year.

How do I check my eligibility for the program?

Review your latest academic year financial aid notification (FAN). If you are eligible for LAEP, when you open and see your aid letter, on the upper section of the letter, above the “awards offered’ section you will see a blue link stating “You may qualify for the Learning-Aligned Employment Program”. Click on the link for more information and instructions on how to apply.

Example of eligible LAEP student’s FAN letter

Where can I find jobs?

All approved Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) jobs will be posted on Handshake. Please use “LAEP” in the search area to identify any positions posted.

Employers will begin posting LAEP job about 2 months before the start the academic year. If you are an employer or have an employer interested in LAEP, please review the “Learning-Aligned Employment Program” under the “For UCLA Staff” tab.

Please note: Faculty with positions in the David Geffen School of Medicine are not able to participate in the LAEP program.

View jobs on Handshake

Can I have more than one job?

You can only have one position at a time. This means you cannot have a LAEP job and a non LAEP job on campus at the same time due to program limitations.

How many hours can I work in this position?

You can work up to 12 hours per week during the academic year. You cannot work in this program during finals week, summer, holidays or breaks. You must be enrolled at least half time participate.

Can I receive academic credit for work performed in a LAEP position?

Yes, you can enroll in an SRP 99, 196, 198, 199 while working in a LAEP position.