At Los Rios, we're committed to building valuable connections between students and the workforce by making internships more accessible for both employers and students. We're thrilled to offer a wage reimbursement program designed to help employers cover the costs of hiring a student intern, providing financial support to organizations that may not have the resources for paid positions. This initiative allows businesses that typically offer unpaid internships – or those looking to expand their current paid internship offerings – to enrich their teams with dedicated, motivated interns from Los Rios.
Whether you're a small business, nonprofit, or department within a larger organization, this wage reimbursement program helps you enhance your capacity, foster a learning environment, and support the next generation of professionals in meaningful, hands-on roles. Join us in creating impactful opportunities for students, while bringing fresh talent and energy into your workplace.
Benefits of PIE
The PIE Program:
- Enhances the affordability of higher education
- Promotes equity
- Better aligns higher education with workforce needs
- Bridges the gap between college and career
- Brings fresh perspectives to the work environment
- Builds a pipeline for new hires
Employer Eligibility
The following organizations are eligible for wage reimbursement for PIE-eligible interns.
Nonprofit employers are defined as tax-exempt organizations that further a social cause or provide a public benefit. All non-profits qualify, except those with a sectarian or political focus.
90% of compensation for positions with this type of employer.
Private sector employers are defined as organizations organized to generate a profit. All private sector employers qualify except those with a sectarian or political focus.
50% of compensation for positions with this type of employer.
District office and campus departments can participate in the PIE program.
100% of compensation for positions with this type of employer.
Agencies or departments that identify as government agencies and that make decisions and take actions that affect the public.
50% of compensation for positions with this type of employer.
Employer Requirements
The PIE Program intends to provide students with an educationally beneficial position that relates to their area of study or career exploration, as well as connect students to full-time employment opportunities after graduation. To participate, employers are required to complete/adhere to the following:
- Complete the PIE Interest Form to start the process of hiring a PIE Program intern.
- Sign an Employer Agreement (MOU) with the District Office before participation, facilitated by the PIE Program Coordinator.
- Complete the required Los Rios vendor paperwork.
- Post an educationally beneficial position in Handshake.
- Hire a PIE-eligible student whose area of study or career objectives align with your internship description. You may check with your candidates or the PIE Program coordinator to confirm PIE Program eligibility.
Note: Term limits will be applied to internships and students. The number of hours of employment the student is allowed to work shall be determined by the institution per its standards and practices, taking into consideration the extent of the potential harm of the combination of work and study hours on a student's satisfactory academic progress. Eligible students may participate in a total of two PIE-funded internships. The maximum duration for each internship is 16 weeks, depending on the student's academic considerations.
Student Eligibility
To be eligible for the PIE Program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be eligible to work in the US
- Be enrolled at least half-time across all Los Rios campuses (six units for spring or fall; three units for summer)
- Have a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher
- Not be a dual enrollment student
Contact
PIE Program Coordinator:
- Haley Lepper
- Workforce & Economic Development Department
- Email: PIE@losrios.edu
- Phone: (916) 563-3216
Info for Students
Are you a student looking to get an internship through the PIE Program?