Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)

What is the Learning Aligned Employment Program?

The Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) is an internship program that 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.

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

Student Resources

Employer Resources

For Employers, LAEP can help to offset the cost of hiring a student intern. This allows students to earn a wage and gain experience in their field, while assisting employers to get the help they need at a reduced cost. Which employers are eligible? The following entities may employ students:

Nonsectarian, nonpolitical organizations capable of providing full-time employment after graduation or connection to another employer able to provide full-time employment after graduation.

Research centers and institutions operated by public postsecondary educational institutions, if their learning-aligned employment opportunities provide participating students with direct opportunities to participate in the research that is undertaken by the respective research centers and institutions.

Public schools operated by school districts, county superintendents of schools, the Department of the Youth Authority, or the Department of Education.

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