Your loan from the University of California


UCI offers several loan options, and it is important to be well informed of the terms and conditions prior to borrowing.

Basic Eligibility Requirements:

  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA.
  • You must file the application each year to continue to receive aid.
  • Submit any additional documents requested by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships by the deadline.

University Loan


Basic Eligibility Requirements
A University Loan is a loan provided by The Regents of the University of California to students who demonstrate financial aid eligibility; if you qualify, the loan will be part of your aid package.
Students who are eligible to complete a FAFSA, must apply annually.

Enrollment Requirements
At least half-time status (6 or more units)

Annual Loan
Amounts depend on financial need and other aid received. 

When does repayment start
Six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment.

Interest Rates
5% fixed rates during repayment, no additional loan fees 

Promissory Note
Heartland Educational Computer Systems, Inc. (ECSI) is the loan servicer. Once you accept the loan on “MyAid," you will receive an email from ECSI providing instructions on how to complete your promissory note and other loan documents.

Entrance Counseling
Educational Computer Systems, Inc. (ECSI) will provide you with instructions after you accept your loan.

Repayment
Standard repayment – up to 10 years with a minimum of $90 quarterly

Graduated repayment - repay in graduated installments (instead of equal installments) as determined in accordance with schedules approved by ECSI (subject to lender approval).  Contact ECSI at (888)549-3274).

Exit Counseling
Prior to leaving school or dropping below half-time, borrowers must complete exit counseling.

Other Requirements
Exit Counseling is required when you cease attendance in at least half-time enrollment. Your last quarter may precede graduating, transferring to another school, or taking a leave.
Heartland Educational Computer Systems, Inc. (ECSI), the loan servicer, will contact you with instructions for completing your exit interview.

Before you borrow:
Check our student loan tools, become educated, and think carefully before you accept any loans. You are not required to accept this or any other loan to keep any awarded free money.

The State of California requires that you be told the following:


  • Students considering student loans need to be aware of the differences between federal student loans and private student loans:Federal student loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options including, but not limited to, income-based and income-contingent repayment plans, as well as loan forgiveness benefits that private lenders are not required to provide.
  • Federal direct loans are available to most students regardless of income. Other qualification criteria do apply. For more information, please visit http://studentaid.gov/eligibility.
  • Private student loan lenders can offer variable interest rates that can increase or decrease over time, depending on market conditions.
  • The interest rate on a private loan may depend on the borrower's and/or co-signer's credit rating.
  • Private student loans have a range of interest rates and fees and students should determine the interest rate of, and any fees associated with, the private student loan included in their financial aid award package before accepting the loan. Students should contact the lender of the private student loan or their UC campus' financial aid office if they have any questions about a private student loan.

Some UC campuses offer students their own private (institutional) student loans. Students offered a UC institutional private student loan should know that:

  • Interest rates on UC loans will be fixed, not variable
  • UC loans can have a range of interest rates
  • UC loans are not awarded based on the credit history of the borrower
  • UC loans do not require a co-signer for borrowers 18 years of age or older

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Hop on the QLESS to schedule a phone appointment.