2023-2024 Academic Year
The interest form is now closed for Spring 2024. Students eligible for LAEP funding for next academic year will receive communication in August to confirm for Fall 2024.
This is not a competitive application process where students will be ranked or scored. If you are eligible for the funding and have a faculty mentor confirmed ou will be enrolled in the program.
Interested in getting paid to conduct research during the academic year?
The Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) is funded by the California Student Aid Commission to support students with financial need. LAEP provides funds to participating public postsecondary educational institutions to offer eligible students opportunities to earn money to help pay their educational costs while gaining career-related experience in their fields of study.
You will be hired as a UROC RA – Research Assistant - and will be paid to conduct research with faculty at UC Merced. Students will also enroll in a one-unit asynchronous, remote course (USTU 030: Research Skills) to ensure they are getting updated information and make progress to complete their research project.
Students may not enroll in more than 18 units without the permission of their academic advisor. Each advising unit has a different protocol for requesting excess units – students should check their academic advising office’s website for more information.
LAEP is managed by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC). For questions, please email uroc@ucmerced.edu
The program's success in its inaugural year was highlighted recently in a campus news article with a few scholar stories. News Article
Eligibility:
- Eligible to work in the United States (work authorization paperwork required to be hired)
- California resident
- Meet financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
- Demonstrate financial need
- Be in good academic standing with your school and major
- Enrolled at least half-time at UC Merced as an undergraduate student
- First-generation college students, low-income students, students who are current or former foster youth, homeless students or those at risk of becoming homeless, students with disabilities, displaced workers, students with dependent children, formerly incarcerated students, undocumented students, students meeting the requirements of AB 540, and veterans.
LAEP RA Position Details
- Funding: up to $7,900, depending on your financial need and award eligibility
- Time/semester: Fall 2023 and Spring 2024
- Faculty Endorsement Required: UC Merced Faculty mentor will reply to a confirmation email from UROC after the student submits their application.
- Wage: $17 per hour
- Weekly Hours: 5 - 18 hours a week.
Will typically be approximately 10 hours per week.
(This is combined with any other campus employment, not exceeding 18 hours per week for all campus employment.) - Reminder - You cannot be paid with LAEP funding for your research if you are receiving course credit (research units/independent study/Honors/Capstone) for that research. Research must NOT conflict with academic year studies.
The application for this academic year is now closed. We will open an application for Spring semester based on funding availability and program capacity.
Looking for a faculty mentor?
Faculty conduct research in all disciplines but the capacity to mentor undergraduate students varies. Contact faculty you are interested in working with to confirm a project and their availability to mentor a student.
Tips to Find a Faculty Mentor
Projects for Spring 2024 (click link to open in new window)
These are a few projects faculty have asked us to promote and the list is not exhaustive of all potential research available. Other faculty could be looking but we do not have their project descriptions.
Have questions about the program?
Attend virtual (zoom) open office hours with the UROC team to learn more about the program or have your questions answered.
- Wednesday, December 6: 9:30am - 10:30am
- Wednesday, December 6: 2:30pm - 3:30pm
- Thursday, December 7: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Meeting ID: 841 1177 6597 | Passcode: UROC
LAEP General Information
The Learning Aligned Employment Program 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.
UC Merced launched the program for Fall 2022 with undergraduate research opportunities as the initial offering. LAEP funding allows a participating student to conduct research related to their area of study, career objective, or the exploration of career objectives. Research is not limited to scientific research and can take place outside of an academic discipline. Students from all disciplines are conducting research with faculty across the campus.
You can learn more about the program and funding development at csac.ca.gov/laep.
Letter from President Drake and Chancellors regarding the program purpose and intended outcomes.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)?
LAEP provides funds to participating public postsecondary educational institutions to offer eligible students opportunities to earn money to help pay their educational costs while gaining career-related experience in their fields of study.
At UC Merced, UROC will oversee the students engaged in research and be a resource for ongoing development. p>
How do I find a faculty mentor?
If you do not already work with a professor, you can search for faculty on the Graduate Division website by graduate group or by searching for faculty in your major. Here is a video that will help explain the process and how to navigate the website.
UROC will also host Faculty Flash Talk events to highlight current projects available and for students to network with faculty. Check this website for updates or scroll up to see the event details.
Students are not assigned a faculty mentor at UC Merced. It is the responsibility of the student to connect with professors to confirm a project and have their commitment to mentor them during the academic year. Students can connect with professors in class, during office hours, or by emailing faculty AFTER researching their research.
Can students participate in other work study programs or the Dreamer Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) concurrently?
Yes, but it may not be in the students’ best interest because it may be an excessive number of work hours in addition to the student’s coursework. The hours would be separate for each program; the student could not use the same hours for multiple programs.
I have been matched and accepted a LAEP position by UROC, what should I do next?
Your employer (UROC) must complete the LAEP Employment Eligibility form and all other necessary hiring paperwork with you before the first day of work. You will not get to claim hours for work without being cleared to start. Your hiring department (UROC) will direct you to the Student Employment office to complete new hire documents. If this is your first job on campus, make sure you bring proper identification and other required documents.
What is an “underrepresented” student?
For the purpose of determining LAEP eligibility, “underrepresented” students include first generation college students, low-income students, students who are current or former foster youth, homeless students or those at risk of becoming homeless, students with disabilities, displaced workers, students with dependent children, formerly incarcerated students, undocumented students, students meeting the requirements of Assembly Bill 540 of the 2001–2002 Regular Session of the Legislature, and students who are veterans.
Can students also get academic credit/units for their research?
Students cannot count their research work for multiple programs/opportunities. “Double dipping” is using the same work for academic credit and also be paid for the same work, which is not allowed.
How much can I earn?
The LAEP Work-Study award listed on your Work-Study Eligibility form represents the maximum amount you may earn under the work-study program during the academic year. If you work in an on-campus position, you may continue to work and earn more than your work-study award. However, UROC will notify you of your balance to prevent earning over your work-study award. Any earnings over the award will not be paid under the LAEP program and will be charged to UROC so we will notify you to not submit any more hours prior to spending your remaining balance. Any portion of your award that remains unearned at the end of the academic year will be forfeited, as it cannot be transferred to a subsequent award period.
Can a dependent student qualify for LAEP if their parent is a displaced worker?
No. For the purpose of determining LAEP eligibility, the student must meet the qualifications, even if the student is a dependent.
Can graduate students participate in LAEP?
No, the program is only open to students pursuing an initial undergraduate degree. As with Cal Grant, students enrolled in a mandatory 5-year undergraduate program can participate.
Will Social Security, Medicare, and Unemployment Insurance be withheld from my paycheck?
No, as long as your appointment is less than 50% time (not actual hours worked).
Can I hold more than one (1) LAEP/FWS job?
No, you may hold only one work-study job, either under LAEP or Federal Work-Study, at a time. Therefore, you should select a job that provides enough hours to earn the total amount of your award. You may work under another campus employment position but not under work-study. Campus employment policy allows a student to work up to two jobs.
What can be possible reasons for the termination of my LAEP job?
Your employer may find it necessary to discharge you before the end of the employment period. Examples of reasons for separation: 1) Your Work-Study award has been depleted, 2) Your Work-study award was canceled because you:
- did not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- withdrawn from school
- received additional aid
- taken an approved leave of absence
- dismissed from school
- graduated
What if I drop below half-time enrollment (6 units for undergrad), do not have Satisfactory Academic Progress, or withdraw from UC Merced?
If you do any of the above, it is more likely that you are no longer eligible to be under a LAEP Work-Study employment position and must terminate your employment immediately. Please notify your employer and the Financial Aid Office so they can take the necessary action based on your situation.
What is the one unit course USTU 30: Research Skills?
The course is intended to provide students a structure to conduct their research project. The course is asynchronous and remote. Students will complete trainings, upload certifications, and have access to resources for research skill development. This will also capture assignments such as the final research presentation.
Course information: USTU 030: Research Skills, CRN 38728.
The last day to add a class online was Tues. 8/29/2023. Starting Wed. 8/30/23, you will need to fill out the online Late Course Add Form (Requisite Met). The form will be routed electronically to instructor and, once approved, you will receive a notice to add the course in My Registration in your connect.ucmerced.edu portal.
Students may not enroll in more than 18 units without permission of their academic advisor. Each advising unit has a different protocol for requesting excess units – students should check their academic advising office’s website for more information.
Does the funding cover the cost of research supplies for the project?
The LAEP is paid to the student directly for the hours they work on research. The funding will not provide materials or supplies for the project. The faculty mentor will need to confirm they have a project available and are responsible for covering the cost of the project.
Why do I need to sign a LAEP Work-Study Eligibility Form when I get hired?
The LAEP eligibility form is used to authorize your participation in the program, and it indicates the amount of your LAEP award eligibility. You also certify that this position relates to your area of study and/or your career objectives. Your LAEP employer must complete this form and sign it with you before you can start earning your LAEP work-study award.
