Learning-Aligned Employment Program

The Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) is a state-funded grant program that provides employment for eligible students to help with the cost of education while gaining education-aligned, career-related employment. Student eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office.

LAEP offers eligible students opportunities to earn money while gaining career-related experience in their fields of study.
  • LAEP offers eligible underrepresented students at public colleges and universities the opportunity to earn money to help defray their educational costs while gaining education-aligned, career-related employment.

  • The California Student Aid Commission (Commission) is responsible for developing the program guidelines and supporting campuses in implementing LAEP. 

  • In total, LAEP was allocated $500 million in state funds.

  • Funds were distributed to institutions based on their share of students receiving a federal Pell Grant in the most recent prior fiscal year for which data was available (2019-20).

  • The Commission allocated 100% of the funds in 2022. Funds roll over each year and will be available to participating campuses until June 30, 2031.

For Students

Upcoming webinar information sessions will be held in Fall 2023 semester. Please check back for the schedule. 

In order to be eligible for LAEP, you must be:

  • an undergraduate 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

  • 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)

  • A student with a disability

  • Displaced worker

  • A student with dependent children

  • Formerly incarcerated student

  • Undocumented students/students meeting the requirements of AB540 (eligible to work in the US)

  • A student who is a veteran

Prioritization

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 STEM discipline.

If you meet all of the eligibility criteria listed above, you can apply for an LAEP position.

  1. Submit a Student LAEP Program Application and the Office of Financial Aid will review your financial need to confirm the eligibility criteria.

  2. You will be notified of your eligibility and ability to apply for LAEP positions that will be posted on Handshake.

Once the SF State LAEP coordinator contacts you to confirm your LAEP eligibility, you will be directed to view the LAEP available positions that will be posted in SF State's Handshake. You then will have to apply and interview for your desired LAEP position. Available LAEP positions are dependent on entities who completed an LAEP Employer agreement with SF State. 

Additionally, SF State will be implementing the LAEP in phases and this will affect the available LAEP positions. LAEP positions on campus will not be fully implemented until Fall 2023.

For your information and program background: Based on the LAEP requirements, only the following entities are eligible to participate in the LAEP program.

  • SF State units/departments whose learning-aligned employment opportunities provide participating students with direct opportunities to participate in research.

  • Public schools operated by a school district, county superintendent of schools, the Department of the Youth Authority, or the Department of Education. Administrative offices of school districts, county superintendents, etc., are not eligible employers. The job must be at a public school campus.   

  • Nonprofit nonsectarian, nonpolitical organization or corporation licensed to conduct business in California, if they are capable of providing participating students with full-time employment opportunities, or opportunities to connect with other employers capable of providing participating students with full-time employment opportunities, within their areas of study after graduation.

  • For-profit nonsectarian, nonpolitical organization or corporation licensed to conduct business in California, if they are capable of providing participating students with full-time employment opportunities, or opportunities to connect with other employers capable of providing participating students with full-time employment opportunities, within their areas of study after graduation.

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.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Each student's final LAEP fund award will vary depending on their existing financial aid packages! Additionally, LAEP wages count as income and must be reported on the FAFSA/CADAA.  

FUNDING AWARD = HOW MUCH CAN WORK 

LAEP sample award earnings

No, you cannot work at both an LAEP and a Federal-Work Study position.

  • Learn more through our upcoming webinar information session.

  • Email: laep@sfsu.edu

For Employers

Upcoming webinar information sessions will be held in Fall 2023 semester. Please check back for the schedule. 

 

Among additional responsibilities, each participating employer shall:

  • Collaborate to identify learning-aligned employment opportunities.

  • Sign a written agreement with the institution prior to participation.

  • Provide each student with reasonable supervision.

  • Ensure that the employment of a learning-aligned employment student does not displace workers currently employed by the participating employer, or impair existing contracts for services.

The following entities are eligible to participate in the Learning Aligned Employment Program:

  • SF State units/departments whose learning-aligned employment opportunities provide participating students with direct opportunities to participate in research.

  • Public schools operated by a school district, county superintendent of schools, the Department of the Youth Authority, or the Department of Education. Administrative offices of school districts, county superintendents, etc., are not eligible employers. The job must be at a public school campus.   

  • Nonprofit nonsectarian, nonpolitical organization or corporation licensed to conduct business in California, if they are capable of providing participating students with full-time employment opportunities, or opportunities to connect with other employers capable of providing participating students with full-time employment opportunities, within their areas of study after graduation.

  • For-profit nonsectarian, nonpolitical organization or corporation licensed to conduct business in California, if they are capable of providing participating students with full-time employment opportunities, or opportunities to connect with other employers capable of providing participating students with full-time employment opportunities, within their areas of study after graduation.

  • LAEP costs may be used to cover a percentage of the student's compensation based on the type of employer.

  • Maximum hours and compensation will be set by SF State and will be included in the Employer Agreement.

LAEP Funding by type of employer

Eligible students are from an underrepresented background and meet all the following criteria:

  • an undergraduate 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*

*Underrepresented background is defined as being at least one of the following:

  • First-generation college student
  • Current or former foster youth
  • Students 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)
  • Students with a disability
  • Displaced worker
  • Students with dependent children
  • Formerly incarcerated student
  • Undocumented students/students meeting the requirements of AB540 (eligible to work in the US)
  • A student who is a veteran

Prioritization

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 STEM discipline.

  1. Please complete the Employer (both on campus and off) Interest Form (link to this form will be posted late summer 2023)

  2. Once an Employer Interest Form is completed, the LAEP coordinator will contact you with more information and the next steps:

  • Orientation for eligible employers

  • Employer Agreement Packet (includes the following):

    • Signed LAEP Employer Agreement

    • Submitted detailed Job Description(s) for each student position (which will then be posted on Handshake, SF State's job board.)

    • Be able to provide a W9

    • Certificate of Insurance (if applicable).

SF State will be implementing the LAEP in phases. Below is a working draft implementation timeline of the SF State Learning-Aligned Employment Program.

LAEP Implementation timeline
  • Learn more through our upcoming webinar information session.

  • Email: laep@sfsu.edu