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Federal Student Loans
Federal student loans are available to most students regardless of income and provide a range of repayment options including income-driven repayment plans and loan forgiveness benefits, which other education loans are not required to provide. Federal loans will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by student, loan servicers, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system.
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Federal Direct (Stafford) Loan
Federal Direct (Stafford) Loan Info Interest Rate First disbursed on or after 7/1/2023 First disbursed on or after 7/1/2024 7.05% 8.08% Fees First disbursed on or after 10/1/2020 First disbursed on or after 10/1/2020 1.057% 1.057% Grace Period 6 months Interest Accrual Begins At disbursement Deferrable During Residency No Repayment Begins At the end of grace period Can Be Included in Federal Consolidation Loan Yes The federal Budget Control Act of 2011, passed by Congress, eliminates in-school loan interest subsidizes for graduate and professional students effective July 1, 2012. It also contains provisions that eliminate Direct Loan repayment incentives. Therefore, graduate students are eligible for the unsubsidized loan only.
The federal government does not pay interest on unsubsidized loans. However, students can choose to make no interest payment on the Direct Unsubsidized loan while enrolled in school. Interest will accrue while in school and during the six-month post-enrollment deferral period, and the Department of Education will add it to the unpaid principal amount when student enters repayment.
Federal Direct (Stafford) Annual Loan Limits (Effective July 1, 2007)
School of Medicine
School of Medicine Loan Limits Program and Level Annual Total Unsubsidized Direct (Stafford) Limit Medicine 1 $42,722 Medicine 2 $42,722 Medicine 3 $47,167 Medicine 4 $44,944 School of Dentistry
School of Dentistry Loan Limits Program and Level Annual Total Unsubsidized Direct (Stafford) Limit Dentistry 1 $40,500 Dentistry 2 $47,167 Dentistry 3 $47,167 Dentistry 4 $47,167 School of Pharmacy
School of Pharmacy Loan Limits Program and Level Annual Total Unsubsidized Direct (Stafford) Limit Pharmacy 1 $35,776 Pharmacy 2 $37,167 Pharmacy 3 $35,776 School of Nursing
School of Nursing Loan Limits Program and Level Annual Total Unsubsidized Direct (Stafford) Limit All Nursing Levels $20,500 Department of Physical Therapy
Department of Physical Therapy Loan Limits Program and Level Annual Total Unsubsidized Direct (Stafford) Limit All Physical Therapy Levels $20,500 Graduate Academic Programs
Graduate Academic Programs Loan Limits Program and Level Annual Total Unsubsidized Direct (Stafford) Limit Graduate Academic $20,500 Health Administration Interprofessional & Leadership $37,167 The Annual Direct (Stafford) limits apply to students enrolled in all quarters required for that specific year in their program. Students enrolled less than the full academic year will have a lower annual limit.
Federal Direct (Stafford) Aggregate Loan Limits
The following chart shows the aggregate limits for subsidized and unsubsidized Direct (Stafford) Loans. These aggregate limits include loans received during undergraduate studies.Aggregate Loan Limits Aggregate Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan Limit Aggregate Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan Limit Graduate Student in Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, HAIL $65,000 $224,000 All Other Graduate Students $65,000 $138,500 This loan will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by student, loan servicers, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system.
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Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan Info Interest Rate First disbursed on or after 7/1/2023 First disbursed on or after 7/1/2024 8.05% 9.08% Fees First disbursed on or after 10/1/2020 First disbursed on or after 10/1/2020 4.228% 4.228% Grace Period No grace period, but there is a 6-month post-enrollment deferment Interest Accrual Begins At disbursement Deferrable During Residency No Repayment Begins 6 months after ceasing being enrolled at least half-time Can Be Included in Federal Consolidation Loan Yes Some students may require additional funding beyond what the annual or aggregate Federal Direct Stafford limit allows. The Federal Graduate PLUS Loan is available to students who have not met their full financial aid budget for the year and have met the limits on the Federal Direct Stafford Loan and other financial aid resources. The maximum loan amount students can borrow is the school’s approved cost of attendance minus other financial aid (i.e., scholarships, grants, Federal Direct Loan, and other loans). This loan is not based on financial need.
The federal government does not pay interest on the Graduate PLUS loan. Students can choose to pay interest while in school. For borrowers who decide to make no payments, interest will accrue while in school and during the six-month post-enrollment deferral period, and the Department of Education will add it to the unpaid principal amount when they enter repayment. Direct Loan Servicing will mail interest statements twice a year (January & July) to students. Students may sign up for Direct Loan Servicing Electronic Mail Services to receive quarterly interest statements electronically through their Direct Loan servicer.
The Department of Education requires a credit check for the Graduate PLUS. Students who are denied due to adverse credit (i.e., 90 days or more delinquent on any debt, or credit report showing default, loan discharge, foreclosure, repossession, and bankruptcy) are notified directly, along with their options. Students can appeal if the adverse credit information is incorrect, or provide document to the Department of Education if there are extenuating circumstances relating to their adverse credit history. Click here for more information. Students may also be able to apply with an endorser (co-borrower) who satisfies the credit requirements. Students should contact Applicant Services for Grad PLUS Loan Borrowers at 1-800-557-7394 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET), Monday to Friday, if their loan is denied.
This loan will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by student, loan servicers, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system.
UCSF is unable to offer another loan to replace the Graduate PLUS loan. Students who are unable to borrow a Graduate PLUS are expected to cover the remainder of their educational expenses with their own resources, family assistance, or a private educational loan. It is the student’s responsibility to secure adequate funding to cover cost of attendance before beginning school.
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Campus-Based Loans
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University Loan
University Loan Info Interest Rate 5.0% Fees 0% Grace Period 6 months Interest Accrual Begins At the end of grace period Deferrable During Residency Yes Repayment Begins At the end of grace period Can Be Included in Federal Consolidation Loan No Over the years, individuals and groups have contributed money to be used for student loans. The interest rate on most University loans is 5 percent. Repayment and interest accrual begin six months after graduation or withdrawal from school.
University loans are considered to be “private” loans even though their interest rates and repayment benefits are often comparable or even better than federal loan rates and benefits.
In compliance with SB 1289, we are providing the following disclosure about 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.
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Health Professions Student Loan
Health Professions Student Loan Info Interest Rate 5.0% Fees 0% Grace Period 12 months Interest Accrual Begins At the end of grace period Deferrable During Residency Yes Repayment Begins At the end of grace period Can Be Included in Federal Consolidation Loan Yes The Health Professions Student Loan program provides 5 percent loans to dental and pharmacy students. Parents' financial information must be analyzed annually, regardless of the student's age or dependency status, to determine whether a contribution to the cost of education is expected. Repayment and interest begin 12 months after the student ceases full time studies or obtains the first professional degree. The maximum that can be borrowed for a nine month period of enrollment is cost of attendance minus expected family contribution and any other aid.
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Loan for Disadvantaged Students
Loan for Disadvantaged Students Info Interest Rate 5.0% Fees 0% Grace Period 12 months Interest Accrual Begins At the end of grace period Deferrable During Residency Yes Repayment Begins At the end of grace period Can Be Included in Federal Consolidation Loan Yes LDS funds are earmarked for medical, dental and pharmacy students from disadvantaged backgrounds. "Disadvantaged background" means that a student comes from an unusually low family income or from an environment that has inhibited him/her from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to enroll in and graduate from a health professions program. The LDS program provides 5 percent loans. Parents' financial information must be analyzed annually, regardless of the student's age or dependency status, to determine whether a contribution to the cost of education is expected. Repayment and interest begin 12 months after the student ceases full time studies or obtains the first professional degree. The maximum that can be borrowed for a nine month period of enrollment is cost of attendance minus expected family contribution and any other aid.
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Nursing Student Loan
Nursing Student Loan Info Interest Rate 5.0% Fees 0% Grace Period 9 months Interest Accrual Begins At the end of grace period Deferrable During Residency N/A Repayment Begins At the end of grace period Can Be Included in Federal Consolidation Loan Yes The Nursing Student Loan program has a 5 percent interest rate which does not accrue until nine months after graduation or if the borrower ceases to be a full-time student. Repayment also starts at that time. The maximum amount students can borrow annually is $3,300 for each of the first two years, $5,200 for each of the final two years, or the amount of the student's financial need, whichever is less. The total aggregate limit is $17,000.
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California DREAM Loan
California DREAM Loan Interest Rate 5.50% Fees 0% Grace Period 6 months Interest Accrual Begins At the end of grace period Deferrable During Residency No Forbearance During Residency Yes Repayment Begins At the end of grace period Can Be Included in Federal Consolidation Loan No The California DREAM Loan program provides a private loan resource for undocumented AB540 students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. Eligible applicants with financial need can borrow up to $4,000 per academic year (amount offer may vary based on available funding) with a $20,000 aggregate limit. The interest rate matches the rate of the Federal Direct Subsidized Student Loan. Repayment and interest begin six months after the student ceases full-time studies or completes a degree program. Additional details on the California DREAM Loan Program are provided by the University of California.
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Primary Care Loan
Primary Care Loan Info Interest Rate 5.0% Fees 0% Grace Period 12 months Interest Accrual Begins At the end of grace period Deferrable During Residency Yes Repayment Begins At the end of grace period Can Be Included in Federal Consolidation Loan No This program provides 5 percent loans to medical students who plan to practice in primary care. Recipients must complete a primary care residency and then practice in primary care. An independent student is no longer required to submit parental financial information to determine financial need. The determination of need for such information will still be at the discretion of the school's financial services office. The Division of Student Loans and Scholarships (DSLS) defines an independent student as a student who is at least 24 years of age and has not been listed as a dependent on his or her parent's tax forms within the last three years. Dependent students are still required to submit parental financial information to determine whether a contribution to the cost of education is expected. Repayment and interest begin 12 months after the student ceases full time studies or obtains the first professional degree. The maximum that can be borrowed is cost of attendance minus expected family contribution and any other aid. Amounts beyond the annual maximum limit may be available to third and fourth year medical students, if the excess funds are used only to repay outstanding loan balances on loans taken out while the student was in attendance at UCSF.
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Private Education Loan
Although many UCSF students can obtain sufficient funds through Federal and University loans, others need additional help. Comparisons of federal versus private loans are available from the Department of Education and Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Federal loan programs generally offer better terms and conditions than private loans. Students should therefore pursue federal financial aid and other resources such as outside agency scholarships before borrowing a private loan. Private Loans are only awarded after all types of federal student loans have been awarded to the student. In compliance with SB 1289, we are providing the following disclosure about loans.
To help students and families make informed choices, the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) compiles comprehensive Private Student Loans Lists that contain loan terms and interest rates as well as lender contact information. Lenders were invited to compete for placement on each of these loan products. From those who responded, a systemic and equitable method for selecting the top lenders was held. These lenders had to meet a stringent standard of requirements that included, but were not limited to, competitive borrower benefits, lender stability, efficient loan servicing, online support and tools, and customer service.
Below are the lenders who were selected by UCOP, and their most up-to-date loan terms at the date of this publication. Please note that loan terms are subject to change by the lenders. Furthermore, these loan terms are offered to the University of California and not necessarily other colleges.
Private Education Loans for Health Professions, Graduates, & International Students
Private Loans for Residency & Relocation Expenses
While the University carefully considers our selections in order to provide you with the best possible list of suggested lenders, you have the right to use another lender that is not on this list. The choice of a loan lender is your decision. The Student Financial Services Office will certify private loan applications from all lenders.
The Student Financial Services Office does not accept or receive inducements from lenders in exchange for inclusion in the Private Student Loans List, nor do we share in the profits from student loans. Please also see The University of California Policy on Education Loan Practices.
All borrowers are required to complete a self-certification form and submit it to their lender prior to receiving a private education loan. Most lenders provide the form as part of their online loan application.
See Student Financial Services Office for details. It is best to consult with a Financial Aid Advisor before applying for these loans as there may be other resources available.
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CA Medical Association Foundation (CMAF) Loan for Medical StudentsMedical students in their final year of school may borrow up to $3,000 through the CMAF. The interest rate for this loan is 6.5 percent. Repayment of the loan begins six months after graduation from medical school, and the loan is interest free until that time. Recipients must be California residents and have financial need. Parents' income is not considered. For additional information and application materials, contact the Student Financial Services Office.
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Emergency Loan
See the Emergency Funding page for more information.
Loan Disclosures: Terms & Conditions provides more detailed information about each specific loan.
