Mortgage Origination Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are some of the FAQs about the MOP. If you have questions or need information not included below, you are encouraged to use the contact forms on the MOP home page to ask for assistance or attend the monthly MOP Office Hour, held on the first Thursday of each month.
Q: How do I request to apply for the MOP?
Q: Can I use my FRAP/ZIP when I am selected to apply for MOP?
A: Yes. FRAP and ZIP eligibility periods have been extended through June 30, 2028, to be used either in conjunction with a MOP, or however best fits the faculty’s needs (by EVC blanket exception to APM 190). These programs may be used individually or as a combo, with the total not to exceed the allowance provided in the Resource Letter. ZIP loans must be used for homes within San Diego County even when using a non-MOP lender. FRAP disbursements may be used for housing costs, childcare expenses, or education/tuition assistance. Appointments prior to the campus ZIP effective date of November 1, 2022, are not approved to use ZIP without an EVC-approved ZIP Exception. Contact the FHAP/MOP Team with questions or for instructions.
Q: What are the deadlines associated with each quarter that I may request to apply for the MOP loan?
Q: I was selected to apply for the MOP loan in a target quarter, but my circumstances have changed and I am no longer ready to apply in that quarter. May I defer my application to a future quarter?
A: No, you may not defer, but you are still eligible to submit additional Readiness Requests for subsequent quarters during your eligibility period, through June 30, 2028.
Q: I have submitted a Readiness Request, it has been verified, and I am waiting to hear if I am selected to apply in the upcoming quarter. Once the next quarter becomes available can I also submit a Readiness Request for that quarter in case I am not selected to apply in the upcoming quarter?
A: No. Faculty may only have one request in the system at a time. The selection process for each quarter will be completed with adequate time to resubmit a Readiness Request for the next quarter. The selection status notification email includes instructions on how to quickly and easily duplicate, edit and resubmit a Readiness Request.
Q: My letter shows a MOP amount up to $1.3M, but I heard that my Dean will approve up to $1.7M. Can I apply for the higher amount?
A: No. Dean approval to update MOP language in pre-existing letters is not active at this time.
Q: I received tenure/SOE effective 7/1/24, but my letter did not include MOP language. May I apply now as part of Phase 2?
A: No. Dean approval to update MOP language in pre-existing letters is not active at this time.
Q: I am part of Health Sciences and did not receive MOP language in my Proposal/Pre-proposal letter, but prior to the pause, the process allowed me to request MOP language after my appointment. May I apply now as part of Phase 2?
A: No. Dean approval to update MOP language in pre-existing letters is not active at this time.
Q: Can I ask my Chair/Dean to increase the amount of FRAP/ZIP shown in my startup/resource letter?
A: Yes. Any requests to your Chair/Dean to increase your FRAP/ZIP amount should be completed prior to submitting a Readiness Request form. The Dean’s endorsed approval memo is a required attachment, or you will be limited to the FRAP/ZIP amount shown in your startup/resource letter.
Q: My letter including MOP language was dated November 18, 2024. May I apply now as part of Phase 2?
A: Yes. November 18, 2024, was the final date that letters were allowed to include MOP language.
Q: My appointment was July 1, 2022. May I apply now as part of Phase 2?
A: Yes, the prior program typically added 3 months to the period quoted in the letters, so July 1, 2022 appointments were still considered in their initial eligibility period as of August 16, 2024.
Q: I currently own a home in San Diego County (or have owned a home in the last 12 months), but I have not previously used the MOP. May I apply now as part of Phase 2?
A: No MOP exception requests are being considered during Phase 2.
Q: My MOP eligibility period ended before August 16, 2024, but I was not able to apply at that time due to extenuating personal circumstances. May I apply now as part of Phase 2?
A: No. The current interim programs for Phase 1 and Phase 2 faculty ('In-Pipeline' and 'MOP Language' respectively) strive to rectify the damages caused by the pause and remain as consistent with the prior program as practical for the impacted faculty. With the current high level of demand for the MOP, these interim programs are not intended to create new opportunities that would not have existed in the prior program.
Q: I have a letter with MOP language and my start date is in the future (or I have not yet received my Active Directory credentials). May I apply now as part of Phase 2?
A: You may request to apply for a MOP Loan up to 180 days prior to your start date. If a final/signed Offer Letter is not yet available, you will need to attach an Every Expectation Letter to the Readiness Request form. An Every Expectation Letter, endorsed by the Department Chair, may be requested through your department. Please provide them with the following template. All <<data>> must be included:
- Full Name
- Title Code
- Effective Date
- Academic Review Date
- Approval Date
“Professor/Dr. <<FULL NAME>> is proposed for appointment as <<Position Name>> (Title Code <<TITLE CODE>>) in the <<Department>> effective <<EFF DATE>>. The appointment packet was submitted for academic review on <<ACAD REV DATE>>. The Department has every expectation that this appointment will be completed and approved at all levels of review no later than <<APVL DATE>>.”
Q: I received tenure/SOE effective between August 16, 2024, and July 30, 2026. May I apply now as part of Phase 2?
A: Yes. Upon final confirmation of your tenure/SOE effective date, you may request to apply for a MOP loan up to $1.7M, using the Readiness Request form.
Q: I received my Pre-Approval from OLP after only 3 months. How much time do I have to use it?
A: Each Pre-Approval is valid for 90 days, but may be extended multiple times up to the full 15-month period (if you receive your first pre-approval in less than 12 months, you don't lose any time). Please note that the initial Pre-Approval must be received within 12 months from the end of the application quarter.
Q: I was selected to apply for a MOP loan in my target quarter, but I was not able to submit my application within my target quarter. May I get an extension on my application period?
A: No, this opportunity to apply will be withdrawn in order to serve another faculty member. You may submit a new Readiness Request form for a subsequent quarter, through June 30, 2028.
Q: I was selected and applied for a MOP loan in my target quarter, but I was not issued a pre-approval within 12 months. Can my underwriting period be extended?
A: No, your application will be withdrawn in order to unencumber the funds to serve another faculty member. You may submit a new Readiness Request form for a subsequent quarter, through June 30, 2028.
Q: I received my Pre-Approval within the 12 months, but I don’t think I can find and complete the purchase of a home within the 15-month period. Can I get an extension?
A: No, your application will be withdrawn in order to unencumber the funds to serve another faculty member. You may submit a new Readiness Request form for a subsequent quarter, through June 30, 2028.
Q: I have been submitting Readiness Request forms for several quarters and have not been selected to apply. What happens if I’m not selected to apply during the eligibility period, through June 30, 2028?
A: If Phase 2 faculty are still waiting for their initial opportunity to apply as of July 1, 2028, due to sustained and unresolved Phase 2 demand, individual circumstances may be evaluated by the EVC.
Q: Does the 15-month limit apply to Phase 1 (In-Pipeline) faculty?
A: Phase 1 (In-Pipeline) faculty will need to complete the purchase of their home either by April 30, 2026, (15 months from MOP reactivation) or by the end of the original eligibility period quoted in their offer letter, whichever is later. Thereafter, the application will be withdrawn in order to unencumber the funds to serve another faculty. The faculty may join Phase 2 and submit a Readiness Request form for a subsequent quarter, through June 30, 2028.
Q: What are some things my realtor may want to know?
A: Realtors may want to know the following:
- The MOP does not dictate a maximum purchase price, however it must be in the first loan position, which (depending on the faculty's situation) may limit the maximum price.
- $1.3M is the standard MOP loan limit. The faculty's offer letter should specify the value they are authorized to apply for.
- Second and third-position loans are allowed (at the discretion of the UC underwriter) and must comply with all MOP terms.
- UC offers a ZIP (zero interest zero payment) loan as the second (or third) position loan, which the faculty may be authorized to apply for based on their offer/resource letter.
- The ZIP is not tied to the MOP and may be used with outside lenders (at the discretion of the UC underwriter).
- UC San Diego does not endorse or maintain a list of outside lenders.
- The MOP may fund up to 90% of the purchase price. The ZIP (or other second/third loan) may fund up to 5% of the remaining balance. A minimum of 5% must be paid in cash.
I’ve read all the FAQs and I still have questions.
A: FHAP/MOP Office Hours will be held monthly on the first Thursday, (usually) 10 - 10:45 a.m. to cover MOP and related topics. Office Hours will include process overviews, brief updates and plenty of time for Q&A. The Zoom location for office hours is: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/91931602881. Visit the MOP web page for the 2025 schedule and to learn about any extra sessions that may be added.
Contact the FHAP Team with additional questions. If you have a UCSD AD/email, use this UCSD form. If you do not have a UCSD AD/email, use this Pre-UCSD form.