Tools and Resources

  • Emergency Resources

    Financial Crisis Response Team 

    The UCSB Financial Crisis Response Team exists to assist students who are facing a financial crisis or urgent financial need. Our team assists undergraduate and graduate students who are facing significant financial difficulties that jeopardize their path to graduation through emergency funding and resource connection. We work closely to evaluate, respond, and support students in crisis in a streamlined and timely manner.

    For more information, please see the Financial Crisis Response Team Guide

    Email: sa-finaid.financialcrisis@ucsb.edu

    Student Needs Advising Center (SNAC) 

    The Student Needs Advising Center, also called the Food Security and Basic Needs Advising Center, is a connection point for students to the basic needs resources both on and off-campus. Basic Needs Advocates are ready to assist students with all aspects of basic needs concerns, including (but not limited to) food, finances, and housing. Students who are interested in applying for CalFresh, can also make an appointment to speak with a CalFresh Advisor, who can help answer questions about the process.

    The Student Needs Advising Center (SNAC) is located in the University Center, right next to Jamba Juice and across from the campus bookstore.

    For more information or to speak with someone directly, visit the  Basic Needs website.

    Student Medical Emergency Relief Fund (SMERF) 

    The Jack Canfield Student Medical Emergency Relief Fund (SMERF) provides grants to students with expenses related to medical, dental, psychological, and optical emergencies. For the purpose of this fund, a medical emergency is a condition, injury, or illness that poses a risk to a person’s life, long-term health, or well-being and requires timely intervention. Prescription or medical care costs related to on-going, non-emergency conditions are not covered.

    Visit the SMERF website for eligibility requirements and more information.

    UCSB Graduate Student Association (GSA) Emergency Relief Grant 

    The GSA Emergency Relief Grant was approved by the UCSB graduate student body in 2011 and is designed to help graduate students who are experiencing sudden financial distress due to unforeseen circumstances. Examples of this type of hardship may include but are not limited to, the loss of an immediate family member, medical emergency, or an unexpected loss of employment.

    For eligibility requirements and more information, visit the UCSB GSA Website.

    Associated Students/Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Grants 

    The AS/EOP Grant funds are to be used to meet unusual educationally-related expenses that are incurred by regularly enrolled student members of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). To be eligible, a student must be an EOP member, enrolled at least half time, have need-based aid, and have had at least 50% of the subsidized loan disbursed. EOP follows the by-laws of the Associated Students of UCSB in this process.

    If you are interested in applying for the AS/EOP Grant, speak with an EOP counselor or email eop@sa.ucsb.edu. For more information, visit the AS/EOP Grants. 

    Campus Medical Care Assistance Fund

    The Campus Medical Care Assistance Fund (CMCAF) was established to provide financial assistance, in the form of a grant, to UC SHIP students and enrolled dependents who are experiencing significant out-of-pocket medical expenses due to an unforeseen medical emergency. Grants may be requested for $500 up to the student’s campus in-network individual out-of-pocket maximum ($6,600).

     

  • Financial Aid Tools

    Learning to effectively manage your finances is an important skill to learn while you are in college. In the current economic climate, financial literacy on college campuses is a growing concern. More and more parents and students are turning to loans to fund the increasing cost of a college education. The financial decisions that students make now will impact them for years to come. Here is a list of tools to help students better understand their finances and make informed decisions.

    Financial Aid Matters Guide for Students and Families 

    Our office has created this important resource guide with the hopes of providing students and their families with the information necessary to navigate the UCSB financial aid process successfully. Topics included: Aid Eligibility, Verification Process, Award Letter, Disbursements, Special Circumstances and Policies, etc.

    UCSB Financial Wellness Online Modules 

    UCSB Financial Wellness Training - You will learn some of the most important healthy financial habits you should develop while you are attending college, and also receive an overview of various resources around campus that can contribute to your financial wellness here at UCSB.

    How to Pay for UCSB - You will learn how Financial Aid payments work and how to understand your BARC (Billing Accounts Receivable Collections) account. We will provide important tips and advice on how to manage your student account, avoid potential pitfalls, and also introduce you to other financial resources around campus.

    Moving Off-Campus - You will learn everything you need know about looking for housing, how to plan financially, how to handle roommates, and receive tons of tips and advice for when you are planning to move out of the dorms.

    UCSB's Know Before You Owe Training - You will learn about different kinds of debt, how credit cards work, and how to protect your credit score. You will also learn about the different types of student loans available to students here at UCSB and how to best manage repayment.

    UCSB's Guide to Balanced Eating on a Budget - You will learn how to eat balanced, healthy meals on a budget, and also receive an overview of various resources around campus that can contribute to your food security here at UCSB. 

    UCSB's Guide to Health Insurance - You will be introduced to how insurance works, general health insurance terminology, and learn all about our UCSHIP plan and other wellness resources through UCSB Student Health and around campus.

    UCSB's Guide to Technology on a Budget - You will learn about technology resources that are offered on campus. You will also discover tools to help assess what best suits your technology needs.

    Estimated Financial Aid Offers

    The UC Net Price Calculator provides an estimate of financial aid for full-time, first-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students only. Graduate students should contact our office or the graduate division directly for information.  

    Budget Planning Tools 

    Our office encourages students to budget their money wisely in order to avoid over-borrowing or the use of high interest loans or credit cards. In an effort to help students track their financial aid, income and expenses we have developed two budget calculators. These budget calculators are Microsoft Excel files, optimized for use on Microsoft Windows.

    Budget Calculator # 1: Simple Budget Planner »

    This simple budget planner allows you to quickly sum the costs associated with each quarter of attendance at UCSB.

    Budget Calculator #2: Monthly Budget Planner »

    This detailed budget planner allows you to compare your monthly income and expenses, including projected and actual amounts.

    CashCourse 

    CashCourse.org is brought to you by the National Endowment for Financial Education, an independent, nonprofit foundation committed to educating Americans on a broad range of financial topics and empowering them to make positive and sound decisions to reach their financial goals.

  • Students with Dependents

    In order to support parenting students while pursuing their education, UCSB students with dependents are eligible for the following resources and services.

    Non-Traditional Student Resource Center

    Part of the Women, Gender, and Sexual Equity department, the Resource Center provides a space to study, eat, relax, or hang-out; a staff to guide you to resources, and help manage the challenges associated with achieving your academic goals. 

    The Non-Traditional Student Resource Center can be your first stop to success at UCSB. Each quarter, students are invited to attend social, academic, and family-friendly events hosted by the NTSRC.

    Gaucho Family Fund

    In order to support UCSB students with dependents, the Division of Student Affairs offers the Gaucho Family Fund, which helps offset education related costs associated with raising a family while also attending college. This annual gift is automatically awarded to undergraduate students who indicate on their aid application that they support a dependent child, demonstrate financial need and who are in good standing with the university. The Gaucho Family Fund is renewable and works in tandem with UCSB’s other robust financial aid programs.

    Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

    Parking Waiver of Requirement

    Transportation and Parking Services grants parenting students with documented dependent(s) a waiver of the two-mile exclusion requirement allowing these students to purchase a “C” (commuter) permit regardless of residential distance from campus. Parenting students must first provide documentation to the NTSRC then visit the Customer Service Window at TPS to purchase the permit.

    Associated Students Childcare Grants for Undergraduate Students

    Associated Students has grants for students who need extra childcare coverage during midterms and finals. Qualifications include: You are currently enrolled as an undergraduate UCSB student during the time of application; You have the responsibility for care of a dependent(s) (proof must be provided);

    You are applying for child care funds due to an upcoming midterm or final. A completed and signed application is also required for each quarter you wish to receive a childcare grant. Grant award amount is dependent on the number of children in the household. Childcare grants include a free annual zoo membership for families.

    Apply quarterly through the Non-Traditional Student Resource Center
    1109 Student Resource Building

    Graduate Student Association Childcare Grants for Graduate Students

    The GSA Childcare Grant for Graduate Students provides general support for graduate students with children, regardless of milestone or specific ‘need events.’ Grant award amount is dependent on the number of children in the household. Grants are limited to one award per graduate student per quarter, with a maximum of five awards allowed during a student’s academic tenure at UCSB. Questions about eligibility, payment, or other aspects of the Childcare Grant may be directed to the GSA VP of Budget & Finances, gsavpbudget@gmail.com. This grant is not managed through the Non-Traditional Student Resource Center. Please visit the website for all details.

    Priority Registration

    Requires a one-time application through the Non-Traditional Student Resource Center

    Undergraduate students with dependents (at least 50% of the time) are eligible to receive priority registration for classes. This eligibility begins after the student’s first quarter at UCSB. Students only need to apply once to receive priority registration during their enrollment at UCSB. Paper applications are available at both the Non Traditional Student Resource Center and the front desk of the Women’s Center. Once documentation is provided to the NTSRC, you can also apply online by visiting the Non Traditional Student Resource Center Forms page .