Frequently Asked Questions:
WLG 2026 - 2027

→  What is WLG?

WLG, or Work, Learn & Grow, is a paid internship program that runs from October 26th, 2026  - April 3rd, 2027. WLG offers youth ages 16 - 19 the opportunity to take a CUNY Course and earn a CUNY college credit for stipend pay, and gain work experience while earning wages.

To participate, youth must:

• Be between the ages of 16 and 19 on October 26th, 2026

• Have been enrolled in SYEP 2026

• Currently attend a CareerREADY High School

• Have a minimum 65% Average (GPA)

• Be legally allowed to work in the U.S.

• Submit WLG required enrollment forms and documents

Spots are limited and youth are enrolled first come, first serve according to the forms and documents turned in.

→  Is WLG online? When and where does WLG take place?

CUNY classes are remote (online). Provider-Led Activities may take place remotely or in-person (depending on whether we acquire spacing or not). Internships can be either remote, in-person, or hybrid (a mix of remote and in-person days). 

Exact days, times, and locations for WLG are pending and will vary between participants. Details will be emailed to enrolled participants shortly after the program begins. WLG will not take place during the school day. Instead, it will take place after school hours and/or during the weekends.

→  How do I know if I am eligible for WLG?

You must:

• Be between the ages of 16 and 19 on October 26th, 2026

• Have been enrolled in SYEP 2026

• Currently attend a CareerREADY High School

• Have a minimum 65% Average

• Be legally allowed to work in the U.S.

• Submit WLG required enrollment forms and documents

You may also view the requirements on the WLG 2026 - 2027 Online Application site: https://worklearngrow.yepsonline.org/

If you are still unsure, please contact your provider to verify your eligibility, application status, and your next steps.

→  I graduated from high school last semester, can I still do WLG?

Unfortunately no, WLG is only available to high school students attending a CareerREADY high school.

→  I turn 16 shortly after the start date of the program, can I still do WLG?

Unfortunately no, you must be between the ages of 16 and 21 on the age cut off date of the program: October 23rd, 2023.

→  I was a Younger Youth participant of SYEP 2026, but I will be 16 by the age cut off date. Can I still do WLG?

Yes! Please double-check the required program documents and forms: Older Youth (ages 16+) have more requirements, such as the 16-17 years of age Working Papers (obtained through your school).

→  I applied to SYEP 2026 but was not enrolled, can I still do WLG?

Unfortunately no, it is a DYCD requirement for WLG 2026 - 2027 participants to have been enrolled in SYEP 2026.

→  I was enrolled in SYEP 2026 with a different provider, can I still do WLG?

Yes! Please contact your CareerREADY WLG Provider and share your SYEP 2026 ID with them so they may verify your enrollment.

→  I am missing a required document, can I still do WLG?

Unfortunately no, youth must present all required documents before their provider can enroll them. Due to limited spots, youth are enrolled first come, first serve according to the documentation & forms turned in.

→  What does the work authorization question on the application mean?

Work authorization is connected to your U.S. citizenship status. Always ask your parent/guardian for confirmation, but please see more information below and ask your provider if you are still unsure.

• Not Applicable; U.S. Citizen: If you were born in the United States, you automatically have U.S. citizenship. Even if you were born outside of the U.S., you may have obtained U.S. citizenship. You should have at least one document verifying this, such as a U.S. Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport (unexpired), or Certificate of Naturalization.

• Applicable; USCIS Document Available: If you are not a U.S. citizen, but have a permanent resident card, employment authorization card, Form I-94, or other document issued by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), please select this option.

• Other: Only select this option if you are a noncitizen National of the U.S..

→  How can I verify my provider received my application?

Please go to (https://worklearngrow.yepsonline.org/Home/StatusLogin) and enter your WLG 2026 - 2027 application ID (a 7-digit number). If your application was successfully submitted, you'll receive the following information:

• Your provider's name: HANAC, Inc.

• The status of your application: Submitted to a Provider (Complete), Selected, OR Enrolled

If you do not receive this information, your application was NOT turned in or you do not have the correct ID. Please email your provider and let them know your application ID and what email you used to apply. This information will help them locate your application and get you started on the next steps.

→  What do the different application statuses mean?

Complete: Your application is submitted and your provider has access to review it, but it has not been selected and you cannot turn in the required forms and documents. If your provider determines you are eligible for the program, your application will be selected. Please keep in mind that this is only the case with CareerREADY programs: Community-Based programs implement a lottery (random) selection process.

Selected: Your application is turned in and your provider has selected it, giving you access to turn in the required forms and documents on the Participant Site (https://participant.yepsonline.org/). Your spot in the program is not yet secured.

Enrolled: Your application is turned in, your forms and documents have been reviewed by your provider and determined valid, and your provider has enrolled you in the program. Your spot in the program is secured (provided that you complete the remaining pre-program steps, such as attending orientation).

→  How much can I earn from WLG?

WLG Participants can earn up to $4,250 during WLG 2026 - 2027 (before tax withholdings).

WLG is divided into two phases:

• CUNY Class & Provider-Led Activities: Stipend pay (untaxed).

• Internship: Wages (taxed).

Participants will be paid at a rate of $17/hr.

To earn full payment, all hours must be worked. Youth must pass the CUNY Class to move on to the internship.

→  How many hours do I have to work for WLG?

WLG Participants work up to 250 hours during WLG 2026 - 2027.

WLG Hour Breakdown:

• Orientation: 5 Hours

• CUNY Course: 15 Hours

• Provider-led Sessions: 10 Hours

• Reflection: 5 Hours

• Internship: 215 Hours

To earn full payment, all hours must be worked. Youth must pass the CUNY Class to move on to the internship.

Enrolled Participants Only
→  When do I get paid?

The pay cycle for WLG 2026 - 2027 is biweekly, meaning you will receive your paycheck once every two weeks. For example, you will receive your pay for Week 1 (beginning Monday, October 26th) and Week 2 (beginning Monday, November 3rd) on Friday, November 13th.

Enrolled Participants Only
→  Do I have to sign up for direct deposit again if I already signed up during SYEP 2026?

Yes! You must sign up for direct deposit with each program cycle. Direct Deposit sign-ups do not carry over after a program has ended.

The deadline for Direct Deposit sign-up for WLG 2026 - 2027 is pending. To receive your first paycheck (and subsequent paychecks via Direct Deposit), you must sign up as early as possible. You will be paid on a payroll card delivered to your application’s address until your direct deposit sign-up is processed (which can take 1-2 weeks).

Enrolled Participants Only
→  I cannot/don't want to sign up for direct deposit, what are my options?

Youth who do not sign up for direct deposit will automatically have a payroll card created and mailed to their provider's office address. Please verify the name of your provider by logging into the Participant Site: https://participant.yepsonline.org/

Enrolled Participants Only
→  I didn't get paid the correct amount, what should I do?

If you are missing pay from the CUNY Class or Provider-Led Activity component of WLG, please contact your facilitator ASAP.

If you are missing pay from the Internship component of WLG, please contact your worksite monitor ASAP.

There is a deadline to contact your provider for missing pay, shortly after the paycheck for the final week of the program. Exact dates still pending.

Enrolled Participants Only
→  When can I pick up my payroll card?

Payroll cards can take up to 2 weeks to arrive after the program's start date. You'll receive an email inviting you to pick up your payroll card in person, with ID. Only the participant may pick up their payroll card with ID - no third party pickups will be permitted.

Enrolled Participants Only
→  I lost my payroll card, what should I do?

Please contact your provider and explain that you received your payroll card, but have lost it. Please expect to pick up your replacement card in up to 2 weeks (or 14 business days) after your card has been reported lost. Alternatively, the payroll card distributor may mail your replacement card to your home (shipping fee may be applied).

→  Is the CUNY Class in-person or online?

The CUNY Class is online. WLG Participants are required to join a Google Classroom, attend weekly virtual classes, and complete coursework through Google Classroom. For accurate credit to be given, participants must join the Google Classroom and virtual classes with an account name identical to their legal name.

→  What CUNY Classes does WLG offer?

There are five CUNY classes offered by Kingsborough Community College through WLG. Classes, listed in order of level, are:

• SD 10: Introduction to College Planning (1 CUNY credit)

• SD 11: Career and Life Planning (1 CUNY credit)

• SD 12: Strategies for College Success (1 CUNY credit)

• HE 14: Critical Issues in Personal Health (1 CUNY credit)

• EDC 6001: Social Emotional Learning Through Puppetry and Play (1 CUNY credit)

• EDC 6002: Creating Classroom Culture Through Successful Management (1 CUNY credit)

Most new participants of WLG are assigned to SD 10. The other classes are only open to participants who have already taken and passed the lower-level classes.

→  When is the CUNY virtual class and how long is each class?

Exact dates and times for CUNY virtual classes vary and will be emailed to participants shortly after the program begins. They will take place after school once a week and are two hours long.

→  How to earn full pay from the CUNY Class?

Full Pay: Arriving on time and staying until the end of class.
Partial Pay: Arriving late or leaving early.
No Pay: Not attending class.

For their attendance to be taken, WLG participants must join the virtual class with an account name identical to their legal name. Joining the class with an unidentifiable name will result in No Pay for that class.

→  Hypothetically, what happens if I don't pass the CUNY Class?

WLG Participants who do not pass their CUNY Class will not be able to participate in the internship component of WLG. However, class grades for WLG Participants who did not pass will not be listed under CUNY records.

Enrolled Participants Only
→  Where can I find my CUNY Class information?

Your CUNY Class information (instructor, curriculum, Google Classroom code, virtual class link, and schedule) will be emailed to you shortly after the program begins. Please Contact Us ASAP if you have not yet received this information by November 1st.

Enrolled Participants Only
→  How do I know if I am passing the CUNY Class?

To pass the CUNY Class, you must maintain good attendance to weekly virtual classes and complete the coursework in Google Classroom. Your CUNY instructor will be able to provide more information about your class standing.

Enrolled Participants Only
→  What happens if I miss a virtual class?

You will not receive pay for the class you miss. Your absence may also impact your class grade. Please note that CUNY instructors do not determine WLG pay and providers do not determine your class grade.

Enrolled Participants Only
→  What happens if I don't complete a class assignment?

Your pay for attending the weekly virtual classes is not affected by CUNY class assignments. However, assignment grades impact your class standing. To participate in the internship component of WLG, you must pass the CUNY class. Your CUNY instructor will be able to provide more information about your class standing.

→  What are Provider-Led Sessions?

Provider-Led Sessions are 2-hour meetings hosted by a provider staff member (the facilitator). Sessions aim to educate participants on important topics including college, finances, and personal health.

During Provider-Led Sessions, participants can ask for and receive assistance with their CUNY Class assignments.

→  Are Provider-Led Sessions online?

Provider-Led Activities may be online or take place at your school. Exact details (facilitator, location, and schedule) will be emailed to WLG Participants shortly after the program begins.

For accurate credit to be given during online meetings, participants must join with an account name identical to their legal name. Proof of attendance is needed for payment.

→  How to earn full pay from Provider-Led Sessions?

Provider-Led Session Rubric:
Full Pay: Arriving on time and staying until the end of the session.
Partial Pay: Arriving late or leaving early.
No Pay: Not attending the session.

If the session is online, WLG participants must join with an account name identical to their legal name. Joining the online session with an unidentifiable name will result in No Pay for that class.

Enrolled Participants Only
→  Where can I find my Provider-Led Session information?

Your Provider-Led Session information (facilitator, location, and schedule) will be emailed to you shortly after the program begins. Please Contact Us ASAP if you have not yet received this information by November 1st.

→  Are internships in-person or online?

Internships are in-person, remote, or hybrid (remote and in-person days). Remote and hybrid internships require laptop/desktop access and internet connection.

→  What types of internships does WLG offer?

WLG internships in the retail, restaurant, marketing, educational services, childcare, healthcare, engineering industries, and more!