Eligibility for UI is not related to the BLS classification of "unemployed": https://www.bls.gov/cps/definitions.htm#unemployed https://www.bls.gov/cps/definiti

Eligibility for UI is not related to the BLS classification of "unemployed": https://www.bls.gov/cps/definitions.htm#unemployed https://www.bls.gov/cps/definitions.htm#unemployed A college student may be considered unemployed if it is actively looking for a job, but does not have one. Similarly, it may be considered employed if it does have a job.