# Loans

**Source**: https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/index.html
**Parent**: https://fas.ucsd.edu/

Loans are a form of financial aid that you can borrow and must be repaid with interest. We strongly advise students to only borrow what they need and to pursue [outside agency scholarships](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/scholarships/outside-agency-scholarships.html) before committing to a loan.

There are three types of loans for which students may be eligible:

- Federal and university need-based loans
- Federal non-need-based loans
- Alternative loans

### **Facts About Loans**

- Taking on a loan is a **serious responsibility** and can affect your future credit rating.
  - Make sure you understand the [obligations to](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/repaying-your-student-loan.html) repay your loans and any accrued interest.
  - Stay in close touch with the holder of your loan.Details about your loans and loan servicers are available through the [Federal Student Aid website](https://studentaid.gov/).
  - Be sure to always make your loan payments on time. You can estimate your monthly payments under the standard repayment plan using this [debt management tool](https://finaid.org/calculators/loanpayments/). Carefully determine how much educational debt you can reasonably afford to pay back each month.
- Review important [loan consolidation information for graduating borrowers](https://studentaid.gov/app/launchConsolidation.action).
- You’re required to sign promissory notes and attend loan counseling sessions before you can receive disbursements of your loans.
- Make sure you're eligible to receive loans: Review the eligibility requirements for [undergraduates](https://fas.ucsd.edu/applying/current-undergraduates/eligibility-enrollment-requirements.html), [graduate and professional school students](https://fas.ucsd.edu/applying/current-undergraduates/eligibility-enrollment-requirements.html).

### **Loan Types**

Select a specific loan type below to learn more and find out if you are eligible.\

- **[Federal Direct Loans](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/federal-undergraduate-loans.html)**
  - Federal student loans include Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, as well as PLUS loans for eligible graduate/professional school students or parents of undergraduates.\
    \
- **[California Dream Loans](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/california-dream.html)**
  - A state-subsidized student loan available for eligible undocumented AB 540 undergraduates. \
    \
- **[University Undergraduate Loans](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/university-undergraduate-loans.html)**
  - Offered and administered by UC San Diego, university loans provide another loan option for undergraduates. \
    \
- **[Short-Term Emergency Loans](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/short-term-emergency-loans.html)**
  - Limited emergency loan funds are offered in small amounts to help students experiencing critical short-term emergencies. \
    \
- **[Private Education Loan Programs](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/private-loan-programs.html)**
  - Education loans are also available from private lenders, such as banks and credit unions, but often come with higher interest rates and additional eligibility and repayment requirements.

### **Receiving Your Loan**

Completion of entrance loan counseling is required for most loans before funds will be disbursed  to your student account. Follow a few simple steps to ensure your loans can be received.\

[**LEARN MORE**](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/receiving-your-loan.html)

### **Repaying Your Loan**

It’s important to understand your responsibilities as a borrower and the exit loan counseling process.\

[**ABOUT REPAYMENT**](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/repaying-your-student-loan.html)

## UC Private Lender Lists

See the University of California's lists of private lenders, find out how the UC developed the lists, and learn your rights in choosing a lender.

[About Lender Lists](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/private-loan-programs.html)

## Financial Aid and Withdrawing from UC San Diego

Find out what financial aid or student loan recipients need to know about withdrawal at UC San Diego.

[About Withdrawl](https://fas.ucsd.edu/forms-and-resources/withdrawing/index.html)

## To Apply for Loans

- File your 2025-26 [Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)](https://fas.ucsd.edu/forms-and-resources/fafsa/index.html) by the **March 3, 2025** to be considered for all federal and university loans. You may still apply after March 3 for federal and private loans.
- Federal student loans are available to most students regardless of income and provide a range of repayment options including income-based repayment plans and loan forgiveness benefits, which other education loans are not required to provide.
- Follow any additional instructions for specific loan types:

  - [Federal loan programs for undergraduates and parents](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/federal-undergraduate-loans.html)
  - [Federal loan programs for graduate/professional school students](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/federal-graduate-professional-school-loans.html)
  - [University loans for undergraduates](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/university-undergraduate-loans.html)
  - [Private loans](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/private-loan-programs.html)

## [Types](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/index.html)

- [Grants](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/grants/index.html)
- Loans
  - [Repaying Your Loan](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/repaying-your-student-loan.html)
  - [Private Education Loan Programs](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/private-loan-programs.html)
  - [Federal Direct Loans](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/federal-direct-loans-program.html)
  - [California Dream Loans](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/california-dream.html)
  - [University Undergraduate Loans](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/university-undergraduate-loans.html)
  - [Short-Term Emergency Loans](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/short-term-emergency-loans.html)
  - [Private Loan Programs Frequently Asked Questions](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/private-loan-programs-frequently-asked-questions.html)
  - [Receiving Your Loan](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/loans/receiving-your-loan.html)
- [Scholarships](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/scholarships/index.html)
- [Work-Study](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/work-study/index.html)
- [Study Abroad & Exchange Programs](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/study-abroad/index.html)
- [Military Affiliated Students](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/military-affiliated-students/index.html)
- [Other Funding Sources](https://fas.ucsd.edu/types/other-funding-sources/index.html)