The California Dream Loan Program provides eligible undocumented AB 540 undergraduate and graduate students with the option to borrow loans to help cover the cost of attending UC.


To be eligible for the California Dream Loan, a student must file their California Dream Act Application no later than the March 2nd deadline. CA Dream Loan recipients must also have financial need and be enrolled at least half time.

Through the CA Dream Loan Program undergraduate applicants may receive a maximum of $4,000 per academic year, however offered amounts will be determined from year-to-year based on funding.

Additionally, undergraduate applicants can receive a maximum of $20,000 in CA Dream Loans at UCSB throughout the duration of their academic career.

Beginning in 2026-2027, UCSB will offer a limited number of graduate student Dream Loans, with the annual amount still to be determined based upon available funding. 

  • California State Legislation AB 681 increased the graduate annual limit to up to $20,500 per year, with an aggregate limit of $118,500. However the actual loan amount offered at each school is subject to program funding availability and is not guaranteed.
  • If you receive the California Dream Loan as both an undergraduate and graduate student, the overall aggregate limit is $138,500.

How to Apply

You must follow all steps to receive a CA Dream Loan

  1. Apply for Financial Aid
  2. Be awarded the CA Dream Loan on your award letter
  3. Accept your loan through My Aid Status on the Student Loans tab
  4. Complete both the Entrance Counseling and CA Dream Loan Promissory Note

    • You can expect to receive an email from webmaster@ecsi.net  within 1-3 business days after accepting the loan

    • It may take up to 5 business days for your information to be uploaded into our system after you complete the loan requirements

    • Entrance counseling and promissory note must be completed each year

Once all loan requirements are met and logged into our system, your loan will credit to your BARC account.

Interest Rate and Repayment

The CA Dream Loan interest rate matches the Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan interest rate for the given academic year. For 2025-2026 the rate is 6.39%.

Interest will not accrue on the loan as long as the student maintains a half-time enrollment status (at least 6 units). Once the student graduates, or ceases to be half-time, there is a 6-month "grace period" before repayment begins.

For additional information regarding the CA Dream Loan Program, visit the University of California website.

Exit Requirements

When you leave UCSB, you must complete the Loan Exit Counseling. You should expect to receive an email notification with instructions on how to complete this requirement.

Warning: If your exit counseling is not completed, you will have a block placed on your BARC account which could affect your diploma.

Contact Information

ECSI - UCSB's Institutional Loan Servicer
UCSB Loan, CA Dream Loan, Federal Perkins Loan& UC Regents Loan

UCSB Loan Collections Office
UCSB Loan, CA Dream Loan, Federal Perkins Loan & UC Regents Loan