Can I get EDD benefits after my campus job ended due to graduation?

Unfortunately, you probably won't qualify. Work-study positions are federally funded educational programs and aren't usually covered by unemployment insurance. For the non-work-study portion, it gets complicated. The reason you're not working anymore is because you're no longer a student, which EDD might consider a voluntary separation since you chose to graduate (I know that sounds ridiculous). Additionally, you need to be able and available for full-time work, and if you tell them you're waiting to start a specific job in a few months, that could disqualify you too.

i was in the exact situation last year and got denied!! they said since i knew the job would end when i graduated it wasn't eligible... total bs but whatever

There's a lot of confusion about this topic. Here's the deal: whether you qualify depends on a few specific factors: 1. How your employment was classified - was your non-work-study portion paying into UI? (Check your pay stubs for CA SDI deductions, which often indicates UI contributions too) 2. Whether the university reported your separation as a layoff vs. voluntary quit 3. If you're truly available for immediate full-time work in your field You should apply anyway - the worst they can say is no. Make sure to explain that you were laid off because the position ended (not because you chose to leave). Emphasize you're actively seeking immediate employment and available to work. Don't mention you're waiting for a specific future job. Also, campus employment often DOES qualify for UI benefits if it wasn't exclusively federal work-study. Many universities pay UI taxes on their student employees.

Im gonna disagree with some others here. My daghter got benefits after her university job ended at graduation. Key was she filed right away and told them she was LAID OFF because position ended, not that she quit. Try it!!!! Worst they say is no. Also depends what kind of student job it was. If they took taxes out of ur checks u might be eligible.

This is actually a common situation with a somewhat complicated answer. The key factors that will determine your eligibility: 1) Whether your employer (the university) paid into the UI system for your position. Most do for their regular student employees, but work-study portions are often exempt. 2) How the separation is classified. "Position ended" or "laid off due to program completion" is different from "voluntary separation." 3) Your availability for work. You must be actively seeking work and available to accept suitable employment immediately. The good news is that "position termination due to program completion" language works in your favor. That indicates an involuntary separation rather than a quit. I recommend applying and being completely honest about your situation. During your phone interview (which you'll likely get), emphasize that: - You didn't choose to end employment; the position ended - You're actively seeking work in your field now - You're available and willing to accept suitable work immediately Don't volunteer information about expecting to start a job in a few months unless directly asked. In many cases, students in your situation do qualify, especially for the non-work-study portion of their employment. The key is proper documentation and how you frame the separation.

just wondering did u ever get 2 talk to anyone at EDD when u called? im trying 2 get thru 4 a different issue but they NEVER pick up!!!!

I went through this EXACT situation in 2023 after graduating from UC Davis. My campus job was 80% university-funded and 20% work-study. I applied for unemployment and was initially denied, but I appealed the decision and won. Here's what worked for me: 1. I gathered documentation showing that my position was explicitly for enrolled students only and that I couldn't continue even if I wanted to. 2. During my appeal hearing, I emphasized that my separation was involuntary - I didn't choose to leave; the position ended by design. 3. I brought pay stubs showing the university paid into the UI system (the SDI deductions were my proof). 4. I documented my job search activities extensively to prove I was genuinely looking for work. The judge ruled that while the work-study portion wasn't eligible, the university-funded portion (80%) was. I received benefits calculated on that portion of my wages. Don't give up if you get initially denied! The appeal process was actually pretty straightforward.

One more important point: even though your situation might be complicated, you should absolutely apply anyway. EDD can only make an eligibility determination after you've filed a claim. Many students don't apply because they assume they won't qualify, but that's letting EDD make the decision before you even try. The application process is free, and if you're approved, benefits would be calculated based on your highest-earning quarter during your base period (typically the 12-month period ending just before your last quarter of work). If you're denied, you preserve your right to appeal, which as another poster mentioned, can often be successful in situations like yours where there are legitimate arguments for eligibility. And regardless of outcome, you should be actively job searching and documenting all your applications, interviews, etc. - both for potential EDD requirements and for your own job search success.

I just want to emphasize what was mentioned earlier about how you describe your separation. This is CRITICAL. Never say you "had to leave because you graduated." Always frame it as "the position ended" or "I was laid off because the position is only available to enrolled students." The difference seems subtle but it's extremely important for how EDD classifies your case. Also, when you file, you'll be asked about your availability for work. Make sure you indicate you're available for full-time work immediately. If you say you're only available part-time or have restrictions, that can disqualify you. Good luck! And let us know how it goes - your experience could help future students in the same situation.

As someone who works in HR at a California university, I can add some insight here. Universities are required to pay into the UI system for student employees in most cases - the main exception being pure work-study positions funded entirely by federal dollars. Since you mentioned yours was part regular employment and part work-study, the university-funded portion should definitely have UI contributions. The "position termination due to program completion" language in your separation letter is actually really good for your case. We use similar language specifically because it indicates the separation was due to program requirements, not a voluntary quit. A few tips for your application: - Apply online ASAP since there's often a waiting week - Keep copies of everything (pay stubs, separation letter, job applications) - When asked about work availability, be clear you're seeking full-time employment now - Don't mention future job prospects unless specifically asked Even if initially denied, many students win on appeal with proper documentation. The fact that you have SDI deductions on your pay stubs is a strong indicator you should be eligible for the non-work-study portion of your wages.

I'm in a very similar situation right now - just graduated last month and my campus job ended for the same reason (student-only position). Reading through all these responses has been super helpful! I've been hesitant to apply because I wasn't sure if I'd qualify, but seeing that Emma Wilson successfully appealed and got benefits for the university-funded portion gives me hope. One question I have - for those who have gone through this process, did EDD ask for any specific documentation from the university beyond the separation letter? I want to make sure I have everything ready before I apply. Also, has anyone had experience with how long the initial determination usually takes? Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's really reassuring to know other students have navigated this successfully!

I just wanted to add one more piece of advice based on my experience helping students with this issue - timing matters! Since you mentioned you're in that 2-3 month gap before starting your career job, make sure you apply for benefits as soon as possible. There's typically a one-week waiting period before benefits can begin, and the sooner you get the process started, the sooner you'll know where you stand. Also, I noticed several people mentioned keeping detailed records of your job search activities. This is crucial! EDD requires you to make a certain number of job contacts each week (usually 3-5 depending on your field), and you'll need to report these when you certify for benefits every two weeks. Keep a spreadsheet or log with company names, positions applied for, dates, and contact information. One last tip: if you do get approved, don't be surprised if your weekly benefit amount seems lower than expected. Since part of your wages were from work-study (which likely won't count), your benefit calculation will only be based on the university-funded portion. But hey, something is better than nothing during this transition period! Good luck with your application - you've gotten some really solid advice in this thread from people who've been through the same situation.

Just wanted to share my recent experience as it might help! I graduated from CSULB in December and was in the exact same situation - my campus job ended because it was student-only. I was terrified to apply for EDD because I thought I wouldn't qualify, but after reading similar advice online, I decided to try anyway. I applied in January and was initially approved! My position was about 60% university-funded and 40% work-study. EDD calculated my benefits based on the university-funded portion only, but it was still enough to help with expenses while job hunting. The key things that helped my case: 1. My pay stubs clearly showed CA SDI deductions 2. My termination letter said "position ended due to completion of degree requirements" 3. I was genuinely available for immediate full-time work and could document my job search The process took about 3 weeks for the initial determination. I had to do a phone interview where they asked about why I left my job, my availability for work, and my job search efforts. I stuck to the script everyone mentioned here - emphasized that the position ended (I didn't quit), and that I was actively seeking employment. Don't let fear of rejection stop you from applying! The worst they can say is no, and at least then you'll know for sure. But there's a real chance you could qualify, especially with that separation letter language you mentioned.

Reading through all these responses as someone who just went through this exact situation last year - I want to emphasize how important it is to actually APPLY rather than assume you won't qualify. I was a grad student TA and my position ended when I finished my degree. Initially got denied, but won my appeal because I had good documentation. The appeal hearing was honestly not scary at all - just me, a judge, and a university representative on a phone call. The judge asked straightforward questions about why my job ended and whether I was looking for work. Having that separation letter with the right language ("position ended due to program completion") was huge. One thing I don't see mentioned much - make sure you understand the difference between being "able" and "available" for work. EDD will ask about both. "Able" means you're physically/mentally capable of working. "Available" means you're ready to accept suitable work immediately without restrictions. Some people trip up on the availability part if they mention they're only looking for jobs in their specific field or have scheduling restrictions. Also, pro tip: if you do get a phone interview, answer promptly when they call. They usually only try once or twice before moving on, and missing that call can delay your case significantly. Hope this helps someone! The system can seem intimidating but it's really designed to help people in legitimate transition situations like graduating students.

Wow, this thread has been incredibly informative! I'm actually in a very similar situation but with a twist - my campus job was through a research lab and I'm wondering if that changes anything. I was hired as a "student researcher" and paid through university funds (not work-study), but the position explicitly required enrollment status. My contract ended last week when I finished my degree. Reading through everyone's experiences gives me hope, especially @Noah Lee's success story and @Emma Wilson's appeal victory. The language in my termination letter is almost identical - "employment concluded due to completion of degree program." I also have the CA SDI deductions on all my pay stubs. My question is: does anyone know if research positions are treated differently than regular campus jobs for EDD purposes? The work was definitely more like a regular job (set schedule, ongoing projects, performance reviews) rather than typical work-study tasks. I'm definitely going to apply based on all the advice here. The consensus seems clear - apply first, worry about approval later. Even if I get initially denied, the appeal process sounds manageable with proper documentation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing!

I'm reading through all these experiences as someone who works with recent graduates regularly, and I wanted to add a few practical points that might help with your application: First, the fact that you worked 18-22 hours weekly during school and 30-35 hours during breaks for 2 years shows substantial work history - this isn't just casual student employment. Combined with your CA SDI deductions and that excellent separation letter language, you have a solid foundation for your claim. Second, regarding the "available for work" requirement that several people mentioned - you can absolutely indicate you're seeking work in your field while still being available for other suitable employment. Just don't limit yourself to only one specific company or say you're waiting for a particular job to start. One thing I haven't seen mentioned: when you file, you'll create an online account where you'll certify for benefits every two weeks. Even if your initial claim gets delayed or you need to appeal, keep logging in and certifying on schedule. Missing certification periods can create gaps in your benefits even if you're ultimately approved. Your 2-3 month gap situation is actually pretty common for new graduates, and EDD does recognize this as a legitimate transition period. The key is framing it as "I'm actively seeking employment now" rather than "I'm waiting to start my career in a few months." Apply this week if you can - you've got a much stronger case than you might think!

I'm a recent graduate facing the exact same situation and this thread has been incredibly valuable! After reading through all these experiences, I decided to apply for EDD benefits despite initially being unsure about eligibility. Here's my situation: I worked at my university's career center for 3 years, about 20 hours/week during school and full-time during summers. My position was 100% university-funded (no work-study component) and my separation letter states "employment terminated due to completion of academic program." I have CA SDI deductions on all my pay stubs. I applied online last week and just completed my phone interview yesterday. The EDD representative asked straightforward questions about why my job ended, my availability for work, and my job search activities. I followed the advice from this thread - emphasized that my position ended (rather than saying I quit), confirmed I'm actively seeking full-time employment, and provided documentation of my job search efforts. The rep seemed satisfied with my answers and said I should hear back within 7-10 business days. Keeping my fingers crossed! Even if I get denied initially, reading about Emma's successful appeal gives me hope that it's worth pursuing. For anyone else in this situation - definitely apply! The process wasn't nearly as intimidating as I expected, and having that separation letter with the right language plus the SDI deductions really seems to strengthen the case. I'll update everyone once I get my determination.

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm in the exact same situation - just graduated last week and my campus job ended because it was for enrolled students only. Reading through everyone's experiences, especially the success stories from @Emma Wilson, @Noah Lee, and others, has given me the confidence to actually apply instead of just assuming I won't qualify. My situation: worked in the university library for 2.5 years, mix of regular student employment (about 70%) and work-study (30%). Have CA SDI deductions on all pay stubs and my HR letter says "position concluded upon completion of degree requirements." The advice about framing it as "position ended" rather than "I had to leave because I graduated" seems crucial, and I love how multiple people emphasized that the worst EDD can say is no. The appeal success stories are also really encouraging if it comes to that. Planning to apply online this week and will definitely keep certifying every two weeks regardless of initial outcome. Will also make sure to document all job search activities thoroughly. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this community support makes navigating the EDD system so much less intimidating! I'll update with my results to hopefully help other students in similar situations.

As someone who just went through this exact process and got approved, I wanted to share some encouragement! I graduated from SDSU in December and my campus job (academic advisor assistant) ended for the same reason - enrolled students only. I was initially terrified to apply because I thought student jobs didn't count for unemployment. My situation was similar to yours - about 80% university-funded, 20% work-study, worked there for 2 years averaging 20 hours/week. Like you, I had CA SDI deductions on my pay stubs and a separation letter saying "employment ended due to academic program completion." I applied in January and was approved after a phone interview! The key things that helped: - Emphasized the position ended involuntarily (I didn't choose to leave) - Showed I was actively job searching and available for immediate work - Had documentation proving UI contributions via SDI deductions The benefits were calculated only on the university-funded portion (the 80%), but it was still enough to help cover expenses during my 3-month job search gap. Don't let fear stop you from applying - your situation with that great separation letter language and 2 years of consistent work history sounds very strong. Even if you get initially denied, the appeal process has been successful for several people in this thread. The worst they can say is no, but there's a real chance you'll qualify! Apply this week if you can.