The California Dream Loan is a Subsidized Loan program for Undergraduate and Graduate AB 540/SB 68 status Dream students who successfully completed a California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for the academic year they are attending. This award are borrowed funds that must be repaid with interest at a later time.
Content Breakdown
Who can be awarded the CA Dream Loan?
Before every academic year, our office will determine every qualified Dream student's eligibility based on these factors:
- CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) submission date - Must have successfully submitted one before the designated State priority deadline of the academic year attending
- Dream students living on-campus
- Graduation date
- Other reasons as decided by the AB 540 Dream Financial Aid Counselor
NOTE: Funding for the California Dream Loan is limited each academic year. Students will be notified directly if they are selected and awarded the Loan for the school year.
How do I complete my Dream Loan Requirement?
In order for the Dream Loan to disburse, Dream students who accepted the award are required to complete additional Loan items with ECSI. They should receive the link to complete these items 1 week after accepting the Loan. If they do not receive an e-mail from them 2 weeks after accepting the Loan, please contact our office.
For more information on how to complete this Loan checklist item, please review the guide provided right below.
1.) After accepting the CA Dream Loan in your Student Center, you will receive an e-mail from ECSI to complete additional items for the Loan. You should receive this e-mail a few days after accepting the Loan.
2.) Click on the first link given in the e-mail message to access the log-in page for the Loan items that need to be completed.
3.) After reviewing the information listed, click on the "Get Started" button to begin the Master Promissory Note (MPN)
4.) Fill in the personal information and click “Submit” in order to log-in.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: In the Social Security Number section, please enter your SF State ID Number instead!
5.) Go through all seven steps to complete the required Loan items required by ECSI.
6.) After going through all the steps, you should receive an e-mail confirmation from ECSI that the Loan items have been successfully completed.
Interest Rates & Loan Limits
The CA Dream Loan is a "Subsidized Loan." Meaning, the Loan is not charged with interest while the Dream student is enrolled in college at least half-time and during any other periods of approved deferment.
| Academic Year | Rate |
|---|---|
| 2024-2025 (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, & Summer 2025) | 6.53% |
| 2025-2026 (Fall 2025, Spring 2026, & Summer 2025) | TBD |
| Annual (Per Year) | Lifetime |
|---|---|
| $4,000 ($2,000 per semester) | $20,000 |
Who and when do I repay my Dream Loan?
Repayment of the Dream Loan begins 6 months after the Dream students graduates or drop below half-time. Dream Loans are set-up to be repaid in monthly installments over a 10-year period and have a minimum payment of $50 a month. Students can pay off their Loan earlier without penalty.
To contact the servicer in charge of receiving the repayment for Dream Loans, please click on the link provided right below.