Educational Loans

Loans provide students with the opportunity to defer the cost of educational expenses by borrowing now and paying later. By borrowing wisely students, can use competitive interest rates and repayment terms to their advantage. We encourage you to borrow only what you need.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, we recommend you apply for the Federal Stafford Loans first, because of favorable interest rates and origination fees. Students qualify based on financial need. These are variable, low interest educational loans. These loans do not require a co-signer and are not based on your credit history. Refer to www.edfund.org for additional information.  Deferment options are available.

The Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) is required to determine what loans may be available. The FAFSA should be completed and filed as early as possible in order to ensure timely processing of your application. International students are not eligible to receive federal funding through these loan programs.

In addition, students may choose private educational loans. Private loans are available to both domestic and international applicants. For international applicants, some lending institutions may require that a U.S. citizen co-sign. The Access Comprehensive Loan Program is available to international students without the requirement of an eligible U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-borrower, if the student meets the required credit criteria. Refer to the UCSD Recommended Lenders  summary for details. Refer to the UCSD Other Approved Lenders for a summary of alternative/private loan programs with which UCSD works. Working professionals may also find that they have access to non-educational loans with competitive rates and terms.

UCSD's Financial Aid Office Web site provides helpful information, including step-by-step application directions, downloadable forms and answers to frequently asked questions.

Refer to The UCSD Financial Aid Fact Sheet for further information.