Loans are a type of financial assistance that enable students and parents to BORROW MONEY from the federal government, state government, or private lenders. It is important for students and parents to be well informed of the terms and conditions of loans prior to borrowing.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans are federally guaranteed loans based on financial need. This loan is offered to undergraduate students only. Interest does not accrue on the loan while the student is enrolled at least half-time. Students are not required to start making payments on this loan until six (6) months after they graduate or drop below half time.
For more information, including current interest rates, please see our Undergraduate Loan Guide.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal guaranteed loans that all students, regardless of need, are eligible to receive. Interest begins accruing after the first disbursement. Students are not required to start making payments on this loan until six (6) months after they graduate or drop below half time.
For more information, including current interest rates, please see our Undergraduate Loan Guide.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
The Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a loan option for parents with dependent students to help pay for their educational costs. Parents can borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid the student is receiving. Interest begins accruing after the first disbursement. Parents are not required to start making payments on this loan until sixty (60) days after the loan is fully disbursed. Parents may also defer payment if the student is enrolled at least half-time, or during the six (6) month period after the student has graduated or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.
For more information please see our Undergraduate Loan Guide or our video guide to the differences between PLUS and Private loans.
University Loans
University loans are awarded to undergraduate students, BASED ON FINANCIAL NEED. University loans have FIXED INTEREST RATES, currently set at 5%. Interest on loans begins to accrue 6-9 months after graduation or 6-9 months after the student drops below half time enrollment. This can vary between types of loans. If you get a university loan, we will send you more info of the loan’s terms. This is given as part of the students Financial Aid Notification.
California DREAM ACT Loan Program
The California DREAM Loan Program allows for UC and CSU campuses to administer non-federal loans to undocumented students who meet the DREAM Act Application requirements.
Students who demonstrate financial need can borrow up to $4000 through the Dream Loan Program.
Interest rates will be fixed at the same rates as Federal Direct Loans, with no loan fees. You must submit your DREAM application by the March 2 deadline to be eligible for a DREAM loan.
Private Loans
Choosing how to finance your education is one of the most important decisions you will make — and the impact of that decision will follow you well beyond graduation. Once you have exhausted your eligibility for Federal, State, and University financial aid and loans, you may need to consider applying for a private educational loan — this is called an ALTERNATIVE LOAN. These loans are NOT federal student loans. They are offered by private lenders, and are used to supplement other types of financial aid. The interest rates and repayment terms on these loans may vary.
Students may refer to the UC Preferred Lender List. This includes lenders found to provide competitive rates and loan terms to students by President of UC.
To find out more information regarding the terms and the application process for private loans go to our Undergraduate loan guide. You can review our short video, for a quick comparison of the two different types of loan.
UC Code of Conduct for Preferred Lender Arrangements
Calculate Federal Loan Origination Fee
Federal Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent PLUS, and Graduate PLUS Loans include an origination fee which is part of the principal loan amount (the total amount to be repaid). The fee is deducted from the amount disbursed (applied to your Bruin bill) with UCLA.
The origination fees for loans disbursed after October 1, 2020, are as follows:
- 1.057% Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
- 4.228% Parent PLUS and Graduate PLUS Loans
The Federal Loan Origination Fee Calculator can tell you the amount that will disburse/be paid to your Bruin bill after the origination fee OR the amount you should request to borrow to get a specific amount disbursed/applied to your account. Keep in mind that the calculator rounds to the nearest dollar and actual amounts may vary slightly because of this.