Frequently Asked Questions

Please click any of the topics below to if you have a question about:

Questions about pay, onboarding, or eligibility in response to COVID-19, please view FAQ sheet here.


    Work-Study

  • How much can I earn through work-study?

    Students may receive up to 4,000 in federal work-study awards. However, awards are based on the level of financial need and aid by other sources such as scholarships and grants. 

    Am I guaranteed a job if I qualify for Work-Study?

    No, there is not a job placement guarantee for Work-Study students. The Work-Study option allows students the opportunity to apply for Work-Study jobs.

    How do I apply for a work-study job?

    Work-study jobs are posted on Handshake. In Handshake, you can filter by work-study postings. All postings labeled as "work-study" require work-study eligibility and only students with work-study eligibility may apply for those postings. We recommend selecting the "work-study" filter to quickly browse opportunities. Any other posting that is not labeled as "work-study" is eligible for any student to apply. We recommend selecting the "on-campus" filter to quickly browse all on-campus opportunities.

    When can I start a work-study job?

    Students can begin working a work-study job on the first day of Fall quarter. This is typically the week before Fall classes begin. For Fall 23', the first day of Fall quarter is September 23rd, 2023.

    I can’t find work-study jobs in Handshake. Why?

    Work study jobs are only viewable in Handshake to students who have been awarded work-study and have accepted their award offer. To learn how to accept an offer,  see the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office’s website. Once you've accepted your work-study award offer, it may take up to a week for this update to be reflected in Handshake.

    If you do not see a Work-Study award in your MyUCSC portal and would like to be reconsidered for Work-Study,  fill out the Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm located in MyUCSC.

     To locate the eForm:

    1. Log into myUCSC
    2. Go to the Undergraduate Student eForms tile
    3. Locate and submit the Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm
    4. You will be notified on next steps as your eForm is evaluated and processed

    Can I apply for a non work-study job if I have the work-study option?
    Yes, you are allowed to apply for non work-study jobs, but we highly recommend you apply for work-study postings to utilize your work-study award.

    What is the difference between a work-study and a non-work-study job?

    Students who receive the Work-Study option are awarded a set dollar amount which their wages for the academic year may not exceed. Only students who qualify for Work-Study may apply for Work-Study positions.

    Non-Work Study refers to jobs that are open to any student and do not require a work-study award. These positions are not federally funded and are paid directly from the budget of the department you are working for. 

    What are the benefits of working on campus?

    Some of the benefits of working on campus include:

    • Convenient work location
    • Flexible work schedules to accommodate students' class schedules and study needs

    How can I use my work-study in a job I have been hired for?

    For on-going jobs, work-study authorization is provided by completing the 2023/2024 Work-Study Authorization Form.

    • If work-study authorization is received before work-study has begun, work-study will be applied to the job effective 9/4/23.
    • For authorization received on or after 9/4/23, work-study will be effective the date the authorization is received and cannot be made retroactive.
    • Work-study is not applicable to Resident Assistants or any BYA job.
    • This process is not applicable to academic Reader or Tutor jobs; please contact your Academic Division business office.

    If students have any questions or concerns, please have them contact their timekeeper.

    Questions about Work-Study?

    General questions concerning how to locate work-study jobs can be directed to the work-study coordinator at ucscel@ucsc.edu. Visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships website or in person at 205 Hahn Student Services Building for information regarding work-study financial decisions.

     


  • Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)

  •  How do I know if I am eligible for LAEP?

    Submit a Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm. To access this form, log into MyUCSC then go to the Undergraduate Student eForms tile. Locate and submit the Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm to determine if you are eligible for LAEP. You will not be able to submit the form if you are ineligible.

    If I submit the Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm, do I have to obtain a LAEP job in order to work on campus?

    Your Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm allows you to view and apply to LAEP positions in Handshake, but you are able to apply to non-LAEP jobs on Handshake as well. 

    What should I expect to happen once I fill out a Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm?

    If you are not eligible for LAEP, you will automatically receive a response when you attempt to submit the Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm. If you are eligible for LAEP, you will be able to submit the eForm. Within 1-2 weeks of submission, you will receive an email letting you know of your revised financial aid offer. Once you accept the offer, it will take 1 week before you can view LAEP jobs in Handshake. Once you apply to a LAEP job posting, you may be interviewed by the employer. If you are selected for hire, you will receive a LAEP Agreement Form in your To Do List in MyUCSC. Once your agreement form has been submitted, you will be emailed to begin onboarding within 1-2 weeks.

    ***The Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm is currently not available.***
                *** Requests will reopen during early Fall 2023***

    Do LAEP awards affect my overall financial aid package? 

    Yes, adding a LAEP award may affect financial awards from other sources. LAEP awards are added to a student’s financial package when they submit a Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm. Students then must accept the offer before they can view LAEP jobs in Handshake.   Students should consider how adding and accepting a LAEP award may affect their overall package by consulting with the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office before submitting their Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm.

    Can I work in a LAEP job during the summer?

    No, LAEP funding is not available in summer. Students can work up to the last day of Spring quarter each academic year.

    If I have federal work-study, can I apply to LAEP jobs? 

    LAEP has slightly different requirements than Work-Study. For example, LAEP requires students to be a California resident, whereas work-study does not. Please submit a Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm to determine your eligibility, before applying to LAEP jobs. To access this form, log into myUCSC then go to the Undergraduate Student eForms tile. Locate and submit the Request Work-Study or LAEP eForm.

    Can I hold a LAEP job and a Work-Study job at the same time?

    You can either have a LAEP job OR a work-study job at any given time. You may work in another non-work-study job while employed through LAEP, though we highly encourage students to work less than 20 hours per week while taking coursework.

    What are the reasons I may be terminated from my LAEP job?

    Your employer may find it necessary to discharge you before the end of the employment period. The most common reasons for termination are: your LAEP award has been exhausted or your LAEP award was canceled because you no longer meet the eligibility criteria for LAEP. Ineligibility can occur if you no longer meet satisfactory academic progress, withdraw from school, receive additional aid, take an approved leave of absence, are dismissed from UCSC, or graduate.

    What am I agreeing to in the student LAEP Agreement form?

    The LAEP agreement form is used once you have been hired in a LAEP job to provide your agreement that you want to apply your LAEP award toward your job, that you agree to the program requirements, and that you certify the job relates to your area of study and/or your career goals. This agreement form must be completed before you can onboard for the job.

    Can graduate students participate in LAEP?

    No, the program is only open to students pursuing an initial undergraduate degree.

    I’ve been hired into a LAEP job - how do I access my timesheet?

    Within 1-2 weeks of receiving your blue card (which indicates you are fully onboarded and ready to work), you will receive access to log your hours utilizing CruzPay.

    I am currently in a research-related role and eligible for LAEP - can I use my LAEP award for the role?

    Reach out to ucscel@ucsc.edu - we will assist you and your research mentor to review the job and determine its eligibility for LAEP.

    Who do I contact if i have more questions about LAEP?

    Contact the LAEP Coordinator at ucscel@ucsc.edu!


  • Blue Card

  • Where do I get a Blue Card?

    Please refer to our Getting Your Blue Card page. This page has instructions for every step of the onboarding process.

    Do I need another Blue Card?

    If you were employed by UC Santa Cruz, ended that position, and then applied for and was hired for another position, you will need another Blue Card.

    If you are currently employed at UC Santa Cruz and accept another role, that is a continuing hire and you do not need another blue card.

    What if I lose my Blue Card?

    The Blue Card is fully digital - email studentemployment@ucsc.edu if you need to re-confirm your blue card status.


  • Onboarding Process

  • Can I provide a copy of... (a passport, birth certificate, social security card, etc.)?

    NO. The federal government requires that you present your official documents to your authorized representative. They cannot be faxes, photocopies, or scans.

    What is the CANRA form?

    When signing a CANRA (Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act) form, you become a mandated reporter of signs of child abuse and/or neglect.

    What is a Background Check / Live Scan?

    Background checks are required for individuals under consideration for hire or appointment into critical staff and student employment and volunteer positions.

    How can I sign up for a Background Check?

    You can complete the application here - note that you will receive a direct email with instructions regarding how to complete the Background Check.


  • CruzPay

  • Where do I log in my hours?

    You will log your hours on CruzPay.

    What if I need to turn in a late timesheet?

    First, print out a paper timesheet, fill out the hours that you've worked, and then turn it in to your supervisor.

    Please direct all CruzPay-related questions to your department's PAT Timekeeper. You can find their contact information here.


  • Getting Paid / Direct Deposit

  • How often do I get paid?

    As a student employee, you will get paid bi-weekly on Wednesdays.

    Where is my paycheck?

    Paychecks will be delivered to the current address on file in UCPath unless the student has signed up for a direct deposit.

    How can I sign up for direct deposit?

    1. Login to UCPath
    2. From your UCPath Dashboard, use the menu on the left side of the screen to navigate to the Direct Deposit Add/Update page:
    3. Employee Actions > Income and Taxes > Direct Deposit.
    4. The initial Direct Deposit set-up may take up to two weeks to become effective.

      If you choose not to sign up for Direct Deposit, your paycheck will be mailed to the home/mailing address on file in UCPath. Please review your personal information to ensure that the address listed is correct

    Please direct all CruzPay-related questions to your department's PAT Timekeeper. You can find their contact information here.