The Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL) is a subsidized loan limited to Optometry graduate students at the UC Berkeley campus. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to be considered for the HPSL loan. Eligibility for the HPSL loan is based on parent(s) income information. UC Berkeley will collect parent(s) information from Optometry students interested in being considered for this loan.
HPSL loans are not renewed automatically every academic year. If you receive an HPSL loan one year, you must complete the FAFSA each subsequent year to be considered for the HPSL loan.
The loan servicer ECSI manages HPSL loans for UC Berkeley students. Please note annual loan amounts can vary and are determined yearly based on the availability of funds.
Students must file the 2025-26 FAFSA and submit HPSL Verification documents.
Please visit your Cal Central account under My Finances and review the task that will be posted under the “tasks” section of View Awards. The link to complete the HPSL task on the Berkeley Financial Aid forms website will open in June 2025.
When you submit the HPSL Verification form, you will be asked to provide your parent(s) income information. You will also upload SIGNED copies of your parent(s) 2023 federal tax return. The priority submission date for documents is July 1, 2025.
You will be offered the HPSL loan and notified of the offer if you meet the eligibility criteria for the HPSL loan.
Health Professions Student Loan Processing
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You will be offered the HPSL loan in your academic year financial aid package based on eligibility.
If you wish to borrow the loan, you can begin by accepting the loan under My Finances in CalCentral.
Beginning in August, the financial aid and scholarships office will inform ECSI of your interest in borrowing the Health Professions Student Loan.
ECSI will email you a link to complete loan requirements (loan entrance counseling and a promissory note). Please use your legal name, SSN, date of birth, and address to complete the loan requirements.
Please complete Health Professions Student 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.
Health Professions Student Loan Disbursement
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After the student completes the Health Professions Student Loan requirements, in approximately 5 days, the financial aid and scholarships office will receive confirmation of the completion of loan requirements.
Once the financial aid and scholarships office receives confirmation from ECSI, the CalCentral task will be completed, and your loan will be disbursed.
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.
Health Professions Student Loan Repayment
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Interest accrual and repayment of the HPSL loan begins twelve months after you graduate, are on a leave of absence, or drop below half-time.
Please 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 Health Professions Student loan at the end of the grace period. The grace period is twelve months after you graduate, are on a leave of absence, or drop below half-time.
HPSL Loans and Federal Student Loans may be consolidated by first contacting ECSI and then the loan servicer listed on Federal Student Aid.
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.