Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Santa Barbara, CA
How students pay for UC Santa Barbara
Sticker price $44,833 a year. After grants, the average student pays $16,807, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $9,523 to $36,658.
- 33%admitted
- 23,113undergraduates
- 84%graduate
- 44%get a grant from the school
What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $54,591 a year versus $16,989 for California residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
44%grant from UC Santa Barbaraavg $10,142
28%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,585
41%state grantavg $11,579
23%federal student loanavg $4,326
Scholarships from UC Santa Barbara
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Regents Scholarship$5,000 a year for four years (entering freshmen)
Fall-admitted freshmen who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or AB 130/131 students with outstanding academic records; UCSB typically picks the top two percent of admitted freshmen and recipients must keep a 3.20 GPA and 12 units a quarter.
- Domestic Nonresident Scholarship$10,000 or $15,000 a year tuition reduction, same amount for four years
Fall-admitted first-year freshmen who are domestic out-of-state residents and file a FAFSA by the March 2 priority deadline; the top eight percent of admitted nonresident freshmen are chosen.
- UCSB scholarships through ScholarshipUniverseVaries
UCSB students searching and applying for supplemental campus and outside scholarships in one portal.
Priority FAFSA deadline: March 2 (FAFSA or California Dream Act Application).
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · California
Cal Grant A
Up to $15,588 a year at a UC campus and $6,838 at a CSU campus (2026–27 tuition awards)
Who qualifies: California residents who meet the income, asset and minimum-GPA limits.
How: File the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and submit your GPA by the 2 March priority deadline.
Official rules →State grant · California
Middle Class Scholarship
Varies: covers part of the cost left after other aid at UC and CSU
Who qualifies: California residents (or AB 540 students) at a UC or CSU campus with family income and assets up to $250,000 each.
How: Automatic with the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by 2 March.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Santa Barbara
| Studio | $2,680/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $2,930/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $1,680/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 93106. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$16.90/hour minimum wage in California
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $7,605 before tax. That covers about 5 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: statewide since 1 January 2026; many cities set a higher local minimum. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$11,776median federal debt≈ $134/month over 10 years
$82,568median earnings10 years after enrolling
84%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for UC Santa Barbara
What scholarships does UC Santa Barbara offer?
Regents Scholarship ($5,000 a year for four years (entering freshmen)); Domestic Nonresident Scholarship ($10,000 or $15,000 a year tuition reduction, same amount for four years); UCSB scholarships through ScholarshipUniverse (Varies). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does UC Santa Barbara really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $16,807 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $9,523 to $36,658. The full cost of attendance before aid is $44,833.
Does UC Santa Barbara give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 44% of first-year students received a grant from UC Santa Barbara itself, averaging $10,142. 28% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,585).
How much is rent near UC Santa Barbara?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (93106) is $2,930 a month for a one-bedroom and $3,360 for a two-bedroom, about $1,680 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at UC Santa Barbara?
Yes. The minimum wage in California is $16.90 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $7,605 before tax.
How much debt do UC Santa Barbara graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $11,776, about $134 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $82,568.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with University of California-Santa Barbara. How these pages work.
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