The California Dream Loan is available to eligible undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in at least six units, qualified for AB 540, and demonstrate financial need based on their California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
Students who meet Eligibility for Financial Aid will be offered the California Dream Loan.
- California Dream Loan Processingadd
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The California Dream Loan will be offered on your academic year financial aid package based on eligibility.
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If you wish to borrow the loan, you can begin by accepting the loan under My Finances in CalCentral.
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Beginning in August, the financial aid and scholarships office will inform ECSI of your interest in borrowing the California Dream Loan.
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ECSI will email you a link to complete the loan requirements (loan entrance counseling and a promissory note). Please use your legal name, Dream ID, date of birth, and US address to complete the promissory note.
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Please complete California Dream Loan requirements by December 1st 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.
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- California Dream Loan Disbursementadd
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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.
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Once the financial aid office receives confirmation from ECSI, the loan requirements task in CalCentral will be completed, and the loan will be disbursed.
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Student billing will notify you if your loan disbursement exceeds your outstanding charges and if you are eligible for a refund. If you would like any potential refund to be deposited directly into your bank account, please sign up for Direct Deposit.
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- Summer Berkeley Loanadd
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The Summer Berkeley loan is offered to California Dream Act Applicants in the summer term.
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Summer Berkeley loan is offered to students enrolled in six or more units, qualified for AB 540, and meet Summer Aid eligibility requirements.
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Students may qualify for a maximum of 6,000 in the combined academic year California Dream Loan and the Summer Berkeley loan.
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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.
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You may complete the 2024-25 California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for Summer 2025 by June 1, 2025.
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Please complete Summer Berkeley loan requirements by priority processing deadlines.
Summer enrollment Summer Berkeley loan processing deadlines Session A Last Friday in June Any Session ending August 15th First Friday in August Special Session ending before August 15th Second Friday in July -
- California Dream Loan Repaymentadd
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Interest accrual and repayment of the California Dream Loan begins six months after you graduate, are on a leave of absence, or drop below half-time.
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Please complete loan Exit Counseling if you graduate, are on a leave of absence, or drop below half-time.
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ECSI will send you information regarding repayment of the California Dream Loan at the end of your grace period. The grace period is six months after you graduate, are on a leave of absence, or drop below half-time.
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Please keep your contact information up to date with ECSI and UC Berkeley.
- The interest rate of the California Dream Loan is the same as the interest rate for the Federal Subsidized Loan each year.
- California Dream Loan is $4,000.00 annually for both Undergraduate & Graduate students, with an aggregate limit of $20,000.00
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- 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.