BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT UC Santa Barbara

2023-2024

 

UCEAP Reciprocity Information

Education Abroad Program
2431 South Hall
Reciprocity Student Resources

Facebook group for 2022-23 coming soon!

Visa & Immigration Information

Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)
Student Resources Building (SRB) 3130 (third floor)
Contact OISS
International Student Resources
Read the newsletter

Get Started!

Reminders

  • Housing is not guaranteed.
  • A campus housing rental agreement lasts through the end of the academic year (June). If you leave your housing before the end of the agreement, you may be subject to a cancellation fee. Rental agreements in the community may last through August 31, and may not allow for cancellation. Check all terms and conditions before making a commitment.
  • If you apply for more than one housing option, accept only one. You will be financially responsible for all agreements you accept.

Residence halls and University Housing (UC Housing) 

Undergraduate students

Housing Options
Apply to Campus Housing
Contact Campus Housing

Application Instructions: You do not need to submit a SIR (Statement of Intent to Register); this is done on your behalf by UCEAP.
After you submit your application, you may update or make changes until the deadline.Late applicants will be added to a waiting list.

Application period: Application will open April 25, 2023.

  • Apply as soon as you receive your NetID and set up your Umail account.
  • Fall deadline: June 15, 2023
  • Winter deadline: November 12, 2023

Tropicana Student-Living Communities (UC-Affiliated Housing)

Undergraduate students

Apply to Tropicana Villas (year-long students)
Apply to Tropicana Gardens (students attending 1 or 2 quarters)

  • UCSB ID number will be requested but is not required for you to apply.

Student Housing Cooperatives (Non-UC Housing)

Undergraduate/Graduate students

Explore the Co-op

Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis. Add your name to the waitlist.

Community Housing (Non-UC housing) 

Undergraduate/Graduate students

Explore Off-Campus Listings

The off-campus Rental Listing Service is free to currently enrolled UCSB students. Students can search and/or submit listings for off-campus housing. Check with CHO staff about their list of preferred providers for UCEAP students.

Facebook housing pages administered and monitored by UCSB staff.

Dates

We strongly urge you to purchase airline tickets AFTER you have obtained your visa and confirmed travel conditions to the US from your home country. When you do purchase a ticket, purchase a refundable/changeable ticket.

When should I arrive?

No later than

  • Fall: September 27, 2023
  • Winter: January 7, 2024

No earlier than

  • Fall: August 29, 2023
  • Winter: December 9, 2023

You may arrive no more than 30 days prior to the start date printed on your visa certificate of eligibility (DS-2019). Students who do not have pre-arranged housing are advised to arrive as early as possible.

Start Date on Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019)

  • Fall: September 28, 2023
  • Winter: January 8, 2024

Office of International Students and Scholars Events

CALI Training
CALI is another way to say California, and it also stands for Cultural Awareness, Laws, and Immigration--issues that have special importance for international students. You must complete the online CALI training but are not required to attend UCSB new student orientation. You are invited to attend mandatory webinars, video tutorials and will receive email newsletters.

  • Fall: Online Webinar - August 12, 2023, 8:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. (attend only one)
  • Winter: Online Webinar Recording - You will receive instructions by email

Orientation Fee: $75 (subject to change)

New Student Check-in
Deadline: On arrival at UCSB; Your UCSB program will be terminated October 13, 2023 if you forget to check-in.
Instructions: Upload your passport image and I-94 in UCSBGlobal

UCSBGlobal address update
Deadline: On arrival at UCSB
Update your local address and phone number.

Gaucho On-Line address update
Deadline: On arrival at UCSB
Update your local addrss and phone number in GOLD

UCEAP/OISS Events

Welcome Reception
  • Fall: September 29, 2023; 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Student Resources Building (SRB) lawn and barbeque area. Register Here.
  • Winter: January 11, 2024; 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Student Resources Building (SRB) lawn and barbeque area. Register Here.

Move-In Dates

University-owned Housing
 

Temporary Accommodation (UC-Housing)

  • On-campus house  (Check back after July 20, 2023) This low-cost, on-campus option is available only to UCSB students with valid PERM numbers who are seeking permanent local housing or while they wait for their fall housing to begin. Rooms are booked on a first-come, first-served basis.

Temporary Accommodation (Non-UC Housing)

Ground Transport to Campus

Costs and times are subject to change.

Enrollment Resources

About ID Numbers at UC Santa Barbara

Your perm number is your UCSB student identification number. Use it to create your UCSBnetID and activate your Umail account.  You will need both your UCSBnetID and Umail to get started on registration, so complete these tasks right away.

Multi-factor authentication keeps your information safe.

Registering for Classes

Undergraduate Students

Plan to register at the beginning of your pass times to take full advantage of allotted time for registration.

  • Enrollment period begins
    • Fall: May 23, 2023 to September 6, 2023
    • Winter: November 6, 2023 to November 12, 2023
  • Next enrollment period begins
    • Fall: September 11, 2023 to December 8, 2023
    • Winter: November 13, 2023 to November 21, 2023

All times are California time.

  • View your appointment time in  GOLD. Select "Registration", then select the enrollment term.
  • Locate the course in GOLD under "Find Courses".
  • Select "Course Info" to check if the course has any prerequisites or restrictions.
  • Using your Umail account, contact the academic advisor or instructor to request permission to enroll (consult the listing of department webpages for the undergraduate department advisor contact information).
  • Include your PERM number with your request.
  • Include information regarding your academic preparation for any course prerequisites using the prerequisite clearance request form. Be prepared to provide your transcript and English translations of  course syllabi from your home university.
Advising for specific majors

Graduate Students

Graduate students usually register after consultation with the department’s graduate advisor. Check with your host department for registration advising.

Student Account

Check your account regularly to pay your fees and avoid late fees.  

  • Log-in to access the Billing Accounts Receivable Collections (BARC) portal: BARC

Fees

  • International Student Orientation Fee: $75 (subject to change) will be billed to your account.
  • College of Letters and Sciences Technologies Fee (Tech Fee): $2.50 per unit fee is capped at 15 units (for a maximum of $37.50) is assessed only to courses in the College of Letters and Science. The fee will be billed to your student account after the course add/drop deadline in the fourth week of the term.
  • ACCESS (IDcard): $30 will be billed to your student account.
  • UCSA (UC Student Association) fee: $7; this fee is not mandatory, and you may opt-out (choose to not participate).
  • Health Insurance Fees: Fees will be billed to your account each quarter. See Health Insurance and Services information below.

2023-2024 costs and information are listed below. 

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

You will automatically be enrolled in your host university health insurance plan. No action is required.

Insurance Information

  • Undergraduates: $1,064 each quarter
  • Graduates: $2,067 each quarter
Payment Deadline

Students may pay insurance fees at the cashier’s office on arrival. Fees should be paid by the end of the first week of classes.

Effective Dates
  • Fall: September 24, 2023 - January 6, 2024
  • Winter: January 7, 2024 - March 30, 2024
  • Spring*: March 31, 2024 - September 21, 2024

*If you are a registered student spring quarter, your spring SHIP fee provides coverage through the end of the summer.

Immunization and TB Screening

COVID-19

Health Requirements and Recommendations

Deadline
  • Fall: Prior to arrival on campus
  • Winter: Prior to arrival on campus.

Waiving SHIP

To waive SHIP, you must apply for waiver by submitting documentation of comparable health insurance. Waiver must be approved by your host UC.

Waiver Deadlines

  • Fall: July 31, 2023 - October 2, 2023 (submissions after October 16 will be subject to a $50 late fee)
  • Winter: November 1, 2023 - January 2, 2024 (submissions after January 15 will be subject to a $50 late fee)
  • Spring: February 1, 2024 - April 1, 2024 (submissions after April 15 will be subject to a $50 late fee)

 

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