BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT UC Santa Barbara

2024 - 2025

UCEAP Reciprocity Information

Education Abroad Program
Student Affairs and Administrative Services Building (SAASB) 2201
Reciprocity Student Resources
Contact Aubree Orzechowski

Visa & Immigration Information

Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)
Student Resources Building (SRB) 3130 (third floor)
Contact OISS
International Student Resources
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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 an 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.
UCSB housing is open to students only during the time that they are taking classes. Early arrivals before classes start or late stays after they end are not allowed.

  • Apply as soon as you receive your NetID and set up your Umail account.
  • Fall deadline: June 15, 2024
  • Winter deadline: November 24, 2024

Tropicana Student-Living Communities (UC-Affiliated Housing)

Undergraduate students attending 1 or 2 quarters

Apply to Tropicana Student Housing
Contact Tropicana

  • 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.

Student Room Stay

Abrego Apartments in Isla Vista are similar to dorm-style on campus living. Applications are open for 2024-25: First-come, first-served basis.

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 UCHS staff about their list of preferred providers for UCEAP students.

Facebook housing pages 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 25, 2024
  • Winter: January 5, 2025

No earlier than

  • Fall: August 27, 2024
  • Winter: December 7, 2024

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 26, 2024
  • Winter: January 6, 2025

Office of International Students and Scholars Events

CALI Training 
You are required to complete the online CALI training but are not required to attend the UCSB new student orientation. CALI Training prepares you for UCSB and provides critical information on how to maintain your visa status.

  • Fall: Complete before arrival, but no later than September 26, 2024.
  • Winter: Complete before arrival, but no later than January 6, 2025.

Orientation Fee: $75 (subject to change)

New Student Check-in
Deadline: On arrival at UCSB; Your UCSB program will be terminated if you do not check-in by the deadline.
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 address and phone number in GOLD

UCEAP/OISS Events

Welcome Reception 
  • Fall: September 25, 2024
  • Winter: TBD

Move-In Dates

University-owned Housing
 

Temporary Accommodation (UC-Housing)

  • On-campus house - 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 22, 2024 to September 4, 2024
    • Winter: November 4, 2024 to November 10, 2024
  • Next enrollment period begins
    • Fall: September 9, 2024 to December 6, 2024
    • Winter: November 13, 2024 to November 17, 2024

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.

2024-2025 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: $1,254 each quarter
  • Graduates: $2,891 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 22, 2024 - January 5, 2025
  • Winter: January 6, 2025 - March 30, 2025
  • Spring*: March 31, 2025 - September 20, 2025

*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

Contact Student Health Service for immunization compliance questions.

Deadline
  • Fall: September 1, 2024 
  • Winter: December 1, 2024

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: August 1, 2024 - September 6, 2024
  • Winter: November 6, 2024 - December 27, 2024
  • Spring: February 1, 2025 - April 1, 2025 

 

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