The California Dream Loan is available to eligible undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in at least six units, qualify for AB 540, and demonstrate financial need based on their California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
Students who meet Eligibility for Financial Aid, including SAP, will be offered the California Dream Loan.
- California Dream Loan Processingadd
-
The California Dream Loan will be offered on your financial aid package if you are eligible.
-
If you wish to borrow the loan, you can begin by accepting the loan under My Finances in CalCentral.
-
UC Berkeley will inform the loan servicer ECSI of your interest in borrowing the California Dream Loan in August.
-
ECSI will email you a link to complete the loan requirements (loan entrance counseling and a promissory note), beginning August 1st.
-
When completing the entrance counseling and promissory note, please use your legal name, Dream Id, date of birth, and US address.
-
Please complete California Dream Loan requirements by December 5th to receive a disbursement before the end of the Fall semester, and by May 1st to receive a disbursement before the end of the Spring semester.
-
- California Dream Loan Disbursementadd
-
After the student completes California Dream Loan requirements, in approximately 5 days, the financial aid office will receive confirmation of the completion of loan requirements from ECSI.
-
Once the financial aid office receives confirmation from ECSI, the loan requirements task will be completed, and the loan will be disbursed to your student account.
-
Please Sign up for Direct Deposit if you would like your refund deposited in your bank account.
-
- Summer Berkeley Loanadd
-
The Summer Berkeley loan is a subsidized loan offered to California Dream Act Applicants in the summer term.
-
The loan is available to students enrolled in six or more units that qualify for AB 540 and meet Summer Aid eligibility requirements, including SAP.
-
You may qualify for a maximum of $6,000 in the combined academic year California Dream Loan and the Summer Berkeley Loan.
-
For example, if you utilized $3,500 in the California Dream Loan during the academic year. You may qualify for a maximum of $2,500 in the Summer Berkeley Loan.
-
Summer is the last term in the current 2024-25 academic year. Non-US citizens eligible for in-state tuition under AB 540 may complete the 2024-25 CADAA.
-
- California Dream Loan Repayment Termsadd
-
The interest rate of the California Dream Loan is the same as the interest rate for the Federal Subsidized Loan each year.
-
Interest accrual and repayment of the California Dream Loan begins six months after you leave school or drop below half-time.
-
You must complete loan Exit Counseling if you graduate, are on a leave of absence, or drop below half-time.
-
ECSI will send you information regarding repayment of the California Dream Loan at the end of your grace period. Please keep your contact information up to date with ECSI.
-
The annual loan maximum for undergraduate students is $4,000, and the aggregate limit as an undergraduate student is $20,000.
-
The annual loan maximum for graduate student is $20,500, and the aggregate limit as a graduate student is $118,500.
-
The overall aggregate limit for students who received the California Dream Loan both as undergraduate and graduate students is $138,500.
-
- Cal Student Central - Services & Area of Supportadd
- Cal Student Central is your destination for key university business related to financial aid, fees and billing, payments, disbursements, registration, and enrollment. Please open a case with Cal Student Central if you have questions.