BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT UC Santa Barbara
2020-21
UCEAP Reciprocity Information
Education Abroad Program
2431 South Hall
Reciprocity Student Resources
Visa & Immigration Information
Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)
Student Resources Building (SRB) 3130 (third floor)
Contact OISS
International Student Resources
Receive the OISS newsletter
Subscribe to the international student listserv to receive and send e-mails about housing, items for sale, events and travel.
Subscribe
Unsubscribe
GET Started!
Reminders
- Housing is not guaranteed.
- Rental agreement last 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. Check all terms and conditions.
- 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)
Visit the Apartments
Virtual Tours
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.
If you submit multiple applications, the last one submitted will be considered active. Late applicants will be added to a waiting list.
Application period:
- Apply as soon as you receive your NetID and set up your Umail account.
Tropicana Student-Living Communities (UC-Affiliated Housing)
Apply to Tropicana Villas
Apply to Tropicana Gardens
Student Housing Cooperatives (Non-UC Housing)
Undergraduate/Graduate Students
Santa Barbara Student Housing Co-Ops
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis. Add your name to the waitlist.
Community Housing (Non-UC housing)
Undergraduate/Graduate Students
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.
California Housing Board
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, 2020 (not applicable)
- Winter: Not applicable
No earlier than
- Fall: September 1, 2020 (not applicable)
- Winter: December 5, 2020
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: October 1, 2020
- Winter: January 4, 2021
Office of International Students and Scholars Events
CALI Training
CALI stands for California, and it also stands for Cultural Awareness, Laws, and Immigration--issues that have special importance for international students.
Fall: September 28, 2020 (not required for students not entering the US)
Orientation Fee: $50 (Does not apply for fall)
Winter: To be announced
Orientation Fee: $50
Online CALI Training
Deadline: Complete before the In-Person CALI Training (not required for students not entering the US)
New Student Check-in
Date: During the CALI Training (not required for students not entering the US)
Instructions: Bring your passport, DS-2019 and I-94 with you. Update your local living address and phone number in Gaucho On-Line Data (GOLD)
UCEAP Events
Welcome Reception
Fall: Not applicable
Winter: Not applicable
Move-In Dates
University-owned Housing
Fall: September 26, 2020
Winter: January 3, 2021
Temporary Accommodation (Non-UC Housing)
Ground Transport to Campus
Costs and times are subject to change.
Enrollment Resources
- Department links
- Class schedule
- Course catalog
- MyUCSB
- U-Mail Account University correspondence will be sent to this account.
- Enrollment
- Waitlist Policy (Enrollment in 12 units is required before you can add your name to a waitlist.)
- Prerequisite Clearance Request Form
- Enrollment calendars
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 and apply for housing, so complete these tasks right away.
Registering for Classes
Undergraduate Students
- Initial pass period
- Fall: June 25 - September 16, 2020 (11:45 p.m.)
- Winter: Begins November 9, 2020
- Next pass period
- Fall: begins September 21 - December 11, 2020 (11:45 p.m.)
- Winter: Begins November 23, 2020
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
- Biology: Contact the course instructor directly to request prerequisite clearance. The instructor might ask to speak with you during the first week of instruction to clear prerequisites.
- Economics majors: Contact the department for assistance with enrollment. Enrollment is restricted to students who are economics majors at their home university.
- Engineering: contact information and enrollment instructions
- Psychological and Brain Sciences majors: Contact PBS Advising for assistance with enrollment. You will not be able to enroll through GOLD in this major. Send a Umail with your request listing your top four course choices. Visit the department webpages for information about waitlists, prerequisites, and more. Use the projected course list to plan your schedule.
- Sociology: If a course requires enrollment authorization, contact the course instructor directly.
- Technology Management Program: Contact TMP Advising with your enrollment request.
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: $50 will be billed to your account; orientation includes refreshments. (Does not apply fall 2020.)
- 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 in the fourth week after the course add/drop deadline.
- ACCESS (IDcard): $30 will be billed to your student account.
- Health Insurance Fees: Fees will be billed to your account each quarter. See Health Insurance and Services information below.
2020-2021 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.
- Undergraduates: $1,151 each quarter
- Graduates: $1,431 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 27, 2020 - January 3, 2021
- Winter: January 4, 2021 -March 28, 2021
- Spring*: March 29, 2021 -September 18, 2021
*If you are a registered student spring quarter, your spring SHIP fee provides coverage through the end of the summer.
Immunization and TB Screening
Health Requirements and Recommendations
Deadline
- Fall: September 1, 2020
- Winter: January 1, 2021
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 Information
- Waiver Criteria
- Glossary of Insurance Terms
- Information for International Students
Waiver for international students staying in their home country
- Submit a waiver application explaining that you will remain in your home country and study remotely.
- If your waiver is denied, contact UCEAP.
Waiver Deadlines
- Fall: September 1, 2020 (accepted September 2-26, 2020 with $50 late fee)
- Winter: December 1, 2020 (accepted December 2, 2020 - January 3, 2021 with $50 late fee)
- Spring: March 1, 2021 (accepted March 2-28, 2021 with $50 late fee)
