Steps to Enrollment | UCSB Admissions

University of California, Santa Barbara Fall 2021

Steps to Enrollment

Table of Contents

Before you Decide

› View the Conditions of Admission and keep us informed of changes……………… 2

› Review your options for financial aid…………………………………………………..….. 2

› Virtually visit UCSB….…………………………………………………………………………... 2

› View your options for housing…………………………………..…………………………… 2

› Campus safety……………………………………………………..…………………………… 3

Accepting Your Offer of Admission

› Submit your Statement of Intent to Register.……………………………….….…………. 3

› Submit your Statement of Legal Residence (SLR).…………………………………...….. 4

› Establish your UCSB NetID and your UCSB U-Mail email account……………...…….. 4

› Complete the housing application….……………………………………….…….…….... 5

› Review and agree to UC requirements for health insurance……………………….… 5

› Submit your immunization information………………………………….………….…..….. 5

› Satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement…………………………….………….…..….. 6

After You Accept

› Reserve your space for online Orientation……….…………………….………….…..….. 7

› Submit official transcripts and test scores……….………………………..……….…..….. 7

› Log into My Aid Status to review the status of your financial aid……..……...…..….. 8

› Consider an early start at UCSB with Summer Sessions………….……..……….…..….. 8

› Consider EOP’s Summer Transitional Programs………………………………………..…... 9

› Enter your parent or guardian contact information……….…..………..……….…..….. 10

Get Ready to Start!

› Register for classes & customize GOLD……………………………………………………... 10

› Pay fees…………………………………………………………………………………………... 10

› Don’t miss important dates and deadlines.……………………………….….…………... 11

› Please review important support systems online………………………….….…………... 12

University of California, Santa Barbara Fall 2021

Before you Decide

View the Conditions of Admission and keep us informed of changes

Your admission to UCSB is provisional. Read the Freshman Conditions of Admission or Transfer

Conditions of Admission carefully before you submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).

Signing your SIR certifies that you understand and agree to comply with all the conditions.

› Deadline: Ongoing

Review your options for financial aid

Review Financial Aid Offer (if applicable)

Each applicant who filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or

California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and indicated UCSB as a college of choice may

view a Financial Aid Offer from UCSB. The offer will be available in late March and will provide

a preliminary estimate of your aid eligibility. To access your Financial Aid Offer, log in to the

Admissions Applicant Portal and select the “Check My Financial Aid Status” link. After

submitting your statement of intent to register at UCSB, be sure to check “My Aid Status” on

the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website to review your financial aid status and to

make sure no required documents are due. For more information about financial aid,

including options for students who may qualify for aid under the California Dream Act, visit the

UCSB Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website.

Virtually visit UCSB

› Virtual Open House: March 22-25 and April 26-30 from 3-7 p.m. PST

UCSB's Open House will take place virtually this spring with two weeks of exciting

programming. Interactive workshops, faculty lectures, college presentations, student

panels, and more will be available. Register online!

› Virtual Tours and Panels: The Office of Admissions offers virtual tours and student panels. For

more information and to register, visit the Virtual Campus Visits page.

› Admitted Student Presentations: The Office of Admissions will be offering Admitted Student

Presentations for both freshmen and transfers to provide more information on enrolling at

UCSB. Visit our Virtual Admissions Events page for available dates and to register.

View your options for housing

› Freshman students:

› Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021-2022 UCSB housing capacity remains

uncertain. However new freshmen will be able to submit a housing application between

March 16-May 10. Information about the allocation and contracting process will be

shared via email as soon as it is available.

› Transfer students:

› Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021-2022 UCSB housing capacity remains

uncertain. However new transfer students will be able to submit a housing application

between April 21-June 15. Information about the allocation and contracting process will

be shared via email as soon as it is available.

University of California, Santa Barbara Fall 2021

Campus safety

The university is committed to providing a safe and secure campus environment for our

students, faculty, staff, and visitors. In accordance with the federal Clery Act, UC Santa

Barbara publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR). The ASFSR provides

information regarding UC Santa Barbara safety and security policies, campus crime statistics,

and resources for students and employees. It also contains information regarding campus fire

safety policies and fire-related statistics for on-campus student housing facilities. To access the

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, visit www.police.ucsb.edu/asfsr. A copy of the ASFSR

may also be requested by contacting the UC Santa Barbara Police Department at (805) 893-

3446 or by visiting 574 Public Safety Bldg., Santa Barbara, CA 93106 during business hours.

Accepting Your Offer of Admission

Submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)

To reserve your enrollment space at UC Santa Barbara, you must submit a Statement of Intent

to Register (SIR) by the specified deadline.

Deadline: For most students, the SIR deadlines for fall quarter are May 1 for freshmen and June

1 for transfers. The deadline to submit (or postmark) your SIR is displayed when you log in to the

Applicant Portal.

To accept online:

› Log in to the Applicant Portal and click the “Accept or Decline Admission” button.

› Follow the instructions to complete the form and submit it electronically with your non-

refundable $250 SIR deposit by the deadline noted in your Applicant Portal or your

admission letter. Deposits can be made via credit card (2.75% fee applies) or e-check.

Students who qualify for a deposit deferral (to be billed later) are provided additional

information in the payment section.

› Wire transfers are NOT accepted for SIR deposits.

To accept by mail:

› If you prefer, you may download and print a PDF file of the SIR form to mail. Mail

submissions must be postmarked by the SIR deadline printed on your SIR form.

Otherwise, you may risk denial of enrollment due to space limitations.

› Follow the steps above to file online.

› Under Submission Options on page 4, select “Complete SIR and Payment by Mail.”

› Fill out and return the printed SIR along with the non-refundable $250 SIR deposit, a

check payable to the "Regents of the University of California." Please write your

permanent UCSB student identification number (“Perm” number), which is printed on

your admission letter, on your check to help us credit the deposit to your account.

› Send your SIR and check to: UC Santa Barbara, Office of Admissions, Attn: SIR

Processing, 1210 Cheadle Hall, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2014.

University of California, Santa Barbara    Fall 2021 
 
4 
 
          
Notes: 
›  If you have been admitted to more than one University of California campus, you may 
only return one positive SIR.  
›  If you have decided not to register at UCSB, please log in and complete the SIR 
indicating your alternate plans.  
›  If you are a freshman applicant who wishes to change your major, follow the 
instructions on the Major Changes page. Please note that transfer applicants can only 
change their major within their college after enrollment on the campus.      
›  If you have questions, contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected].   
 
Submit your Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) when you complete your online SIR 
Submitting the online Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) is mandatory for all students who 
attend UCSB, regardless of the residency information you provided on your UC admission 
application. The information you provide on your SLR is used by the Office of the Registrar to 
determine your residency classification for fee purposes. Therefore, all students are considered 
non-residents until they have submitted the SLR and California residency is confirmed. PLEASE 
NOTE: Failure to submit the SLR will result in the assessment of out-of-state fees and may 
prevent disbursement of financial aid and course enrollment. 
 
You may access the Statement of Legal Residence directly from your SIR confirmation page or 
from the Office of the Registrar website. SLR is available online only. If you have questions 
regarding residency requirements, please visit the Office of the Registrar website and click on 
“Fees & Residency” or email [email protected].  
 
Establish your UCSBnetID and UCSB U-Mail email account 
All new students are required to have a UCSBnetID and a UCSB U-Mail account to conduct 
university business. Your UCSBnetID will give you access to the majority of the online services 
you will need to use during your academic career. U-Mail is UCSB's student email service, to 
which all official correspondence is sent. Once activated, all University business will be sent to 
this email address, and students are expected to check this account regularly. U-Mail 
messages may be forwarded to another account if you choose to do so. 
  
A few days after you submit your SIR you will be eligible to activate your UCSBnetID and U-Mail 
account. To do so, sign in to the UCSB Identity Manager. The Identity Manager service will 
activate both your UCSBnetID and U-Mail account. The UCSB Student Support Center is 
available for assistance if you have any problems activating your account. Do not click any 
links from senders you do not recognize. Visit the UCSB Information Security site for more 
information. 
 
Note: If you are an international student, please enter “0000” as the last four digits of your 
Social Security Number (SSN) when setting up your UCSBnetID. 
 
 
 

University of California, Santa Barbara Fall 2021

Complete the housing application

Freshman students:

› Return your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by May 1.

› After you return your SIR and it is recorded in the UCSB Housing database (usually within

a business day), you will be able to complete your housing application online. The

deadline is May 10 at 4pm PST.

Transfer students:

› Return your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by June 1.

› After you return your SIR and it is recorded in the UCSB Housing database (usually within

a business day), you will be able to complete your housing application online. The

deadline is June 15 at 4pm PST.

Review and agree to UC requirements for health insurance coverage by September 1

All registered UC students are required to have medical health insurance that meets minimum

coverage limits. It is a condition of enrollment AND a non-academic requirement of

registration. Please log on to the Student Health Gateway Portal and follow the “Medical

Clearances” menu to acknowledge the University of California’s insurance requirement.

UCSB students are automatically enrolled in Student Health Insurance Plan (UC-SHIP), which

includes medical, vision, and dental coverage, and access to UCSB Student Health with most

services having no additional charges. The premium for UC-SHIP will be factored into your cost

of attendance and will therefore be included in your Financial Aid Award. The insurance

premium will automatically be included in your quarterly BARC bill.

If you have adequate private insurance and do not wish to be enrolled in UC-SHIP, you must

take action and submit a waiver online. The act of waiving requires the student to upload

insurance documentation into a secure website and receive written email confirmation that

their waiver was approved. Please note that your Financial Aid Award will change if you waive

out of UC-SHIP. For more information, please review the Office of Financial Aid and

Scholarship’s Policy Information page. The waiver deadline is September 1. Once a waiver

request has been approved, it remains in effect until the beginning of the next academic

year.

Students with approved waivers may purchase pre-paid access to most Student Health

services through the Gaucho Access Plan (GAP).

Submit your immunization information by the first day of the quarter

All incoming and re-admitted students are required to complete a Tuberculosis (TB) screening

and satisfy immunization requirements as mandated by the UC Office of the President. The

recommended due date is before the start of your first quarter. Failure to comply with the

requirements will result in a registration block for the following quarter. We strongly encourage

you to start this process early, as you may be required to complete additional steps prior to

arrival on campus.

Instructions for completing these requirements can be found on the Student Health website.

Students can complete tuberculosis (TB) screening, enter required immunization dates and

University of California, Santa Barbara Fall 2021

upload immunization records on the Student Health Service (SHS) Gateway portal. Note: If

there are any changes due to COVID-19 you will be notified via email.

Satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement

All students who enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their

command of the English language by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR).

To satisfy the ELWR, all students must take UCSB’s Collaborative Writing Placement (CWP)—or,

for international students, the ELPE—to enroll in any UCSB writing course unless they have

satisfied the ELWR requirement in one of the ways described on the Writing Program website.

Students at UCSB may not satisfy ELWR with the Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE).

Most students will be able to satisfy the ELWR by taking Writing 1 (Approaches to University

Writing). However, some students for whom English is not their first language may require

assessment via the English for Multilingual Students (EMS) Program. Students placed into EMS

Program courses will satisfy the ELWR by taking Linguistics 12 (Approaches to University Writing

for Multilingual Students). Students whose written performance indicates a need for additional

academic writing instruction will be required to take from one to three sequential pre-ELWR

courses (Linguistics 3A, 3B, or 3C).

• Out-of-state students: Out-of-state students should take the Collaborative Writing

Placement program if they have not satisfied the ELWR requirement in one of the ways

described on the Writing Program website.

• International students: International students will take the English Language Placement

Exam (ELPE) online in June. The ELPE will place students into the appropriate course(s) in

order to satisfy the ELWR. Students who take the ELPE may be placed into Writing 1,

Linguistics 12 or, if written performance indicates a need for additional academic

writing instruction prior to the ELWR courses, into one of three pre-ELWR courses

(Linguistics 3A, 3B or 3C).

Multiple sections of Writing 1 and Linguistics 12 are offered during fall, winter and spring

quarters. Qualified students may also take Writing 1 at UCSB during the Freshman

Summer Start Program or Linguistics 12 during Summer Sessions. Prior to a student’s first

quarter at UCSB, including during the summer term, transferable college English

composition courses taken at a community college and completed with a grade of C

or better, will also satisfy the requirement. All students must fulfill the Entry Level Writing

Requirement by the end of their third quarter at UCSB.

If you have any questions regarding the Collaborative Writing Placement program, please

contact [email protected].edu.

If you have any questions regarding the English Language Placement Exam (ELPE), please

contact EMSplacement@linguistics.ucsb.edu.

University of California, Santa Barbara Fall 2021

After You Accept

Reserve your space for Orientation (online program for summer 2021)

Orientation session registration opens in mid-May.

› Two-day online freshman orientation sessions: June 24 through August 6

› One-day online transfer orientation sessions: August 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13

› Transfer online module: Opens June 1

You are strongly encouraged to attend orientation. While not mandatory, orientation gives

you an important head start in preparing for your college career. UCSB offers approximately

17 orientation sessions each summer for new students and their parents. These sessions are two

days for freshmen and one day for transfer students. They include extensive academic

advising, and students who complete orientation are given a priority status to register for

classes. Detailed information is available on the Orientation Programs website.

Beginning in mid-May, all new students who have returned their Statement of Intent to Register

(SIR) can sign up for orientation by submitting a reservation on the Orientation Programs

website. Space in each orientation session is limited and session dates will close when full.

International Students: International students currently outside of the U.S. will not be able to

enter the U.S. with their student visa more than 30 days prior to the start of classes. Online

orientation sessions for international freshmen will be offered during the summer; additional

information will be sent via University email. International transfer students should complete the

transfer module and are strongly encouraged to attend an online transfer orientation session.

All incoming international students are required to attend mandatory CALI Training (Cultural

Awareness, Laws, and Immigration Training) hosted by the Office of International Students &

Scholars. CALI Training takes place in September. Please visit the OISS website for more

information about online or in-person CALI Training. Also, please visit the International Students

page on the Orientation website for information on both required and optional pre-fall

programs.

Submit official transcripts and test scores

› Transcript submission deadline: July 1

› Test score submission deadline: July 15

› Summer session transcripts are due September 1.

The Office of Admissions must receive the following:

› Official final high school transcript: Final high school transcripts are required of new

freshmen. Your final high school transcript must show the exact date of your graduation.

"Class of 2021" is not acceptable. Transcripts are considered official when they are

delivered directly from the school.

› Transfers are also required to submit a final high school transcript unless the student is

submitting an official full IGETC certification from a community college. UCSB will

continue to require your high school transcript until an official full IGETC certification is

University of California, Santa Barbara Fall 2021

received by the Office of Admissions. An official high school transcript or full IGETC

certification is due to the Office of Admissions by July 15, 2021.

› Official transcripts from all colleges you have attended.

› Official Advanced Placement (AP) exam, International Baccalaureate (IB) score

reports, and Duolingo English Test (DET) results, if applicable. The results must be sent

directly from the testing agency to the Office of Admissions.

› If you plan to take courses during the summer, submit transcripts by September 1 to

avoid a delay in receiving transferable credit for completed coursework.

Official transcripts can be submitted electronically using Credentials Solutions/eSCRIP-SAFE,

eTranscript CA, JST DoD Military Transcripts, Kiteworks, National Student Clearinghouse,

Parchment Exchange1, Scribbles Software, SCOIR, SPEEDE, or by physical mail. Send transcripts

and test scores to: Office of Admissions, UC Santa Barbara, 1210 Cheadle Hall, Santa Barbara,

CA 93106-2014.

Missing transcripts and/or test scores will result in your registration being blocked and ultimately

the withdrawal of your admission offer. Delays in receiving official transcripts may also

jeopardize your financial aid and/or housing possibilities, will disadvantage you in the

academic advising process and can affect enrollment in appropriate courses.

Log into My Aid Status to review the status of your financial aid, view any pending

documents, and make note of any upcoming deadlines

My Aid Status serves as the financial aid login portal for UCSB students who have filed a Free

Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

Students will be able to access their aid status by logging into My Aid Status with their UCSB

Net ID and password. Once logged in, students can review any required documents, evaluate

the Official Financial Aid Award Letter, accept student loans and view scheduled financial aid

disbursements for upcoming terms. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships encourages

students to utilize “My Aid Status” frequently in order to stay up-to-date on their financial aid.

Consider an early start at UC Santa Barbara with the Freshman Summer Start Program

or Transfer Edge

The Freshman Summer Start Program (FSSP)

› Program Dates: July 30 - September 11, 2021

› Applications Open: April 15, 2021

The Freshman Summer Start Program (FSSP) is designed to help admitted first-year students

successfully transition from high school to UC Santa Barbara. This innovative, six-week program

offers freshmen a unique opportunity to take UC Santa Barbara courses for full academic

credit and participate in a wide range of academic and social activities. FSSP participants

earn between 7 and 13 units and benefit from small class sizes that foster a personal

connection with esteemed faculty. FSSP students build a supportive community through social

activities. Students live together in the San Nicolas Residence Hall, forging friendships that

endure long past the program’s conclusion. Financial aid is available for eligible students. Out-

of-state/international students pay the same fees as California residents during FSSP. To learn

more about the steps to summer enrollment and to apply, click here.

University of California, Santa Barbara Fall 2021

› Freshman Summer Start Program (FSSP) - EOP Satellite Office Support

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) program (read more about EOP in the next

step, below) provides support during Freshman Summer Start Program (FSSP) by

including two EOP Counselors and four Peer Mentors who provide counseling/advising

that specifically addresses the needs of first-year students who are identified as

members of EOP enrolled in FSSP. Additionally, EOP works in collaboration with campus

partners by designing and providing specialized programs and activities for student

participation. In line with our EOP mission, we focus our services towards our first

generation and income eligible students, however we assist all students enrolled in FSSP

regardless of EOP membership.

Transfer Edge

› Program Dates: August 1 – September 11, 2021

› Applications Open: April 20, 2021

Transfer Edge is specially designed to help incoming transfer students make a successful

academic and social transition to UC Santa Barbara. Newly admitted transfer students will get

a head start on their degree objectives by enrolling in major and required courses and

receiving individualized advice from campus experts. Participants will be exposed to unique

professional development opportunities, build a supportive community with peers through fun

social activities, and exchange ideas with faculty and graduate students. A summer start helps

students gain an academic edge, preparing them for the rigors of a full course schedule in the

fall quarter. Financial aid and incentive opportunities are available for eligible students. To

learn more about the steps to summer enrollment and to apply, click here.

Consider Participating in EOP’s Summer Transitional Programs

1. EOP Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP) for First-year Freshmen Students

› STEP dates: Late July – Early August (exact program dates TBD)

› Application deadlines: June 1, 2021: https://eop.sa.ucsb.edu/summer-

programs/step

› Note: STEP 2021 will be a virtual/stay-at-home program

The Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP) is a FREE, one-week summer

residential program (STEP 2021 will be held virtually) for incoming first-year students in the

Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) held in late summer before students begin their

first fall quarter. EOP is a program that provides counseling, advising, peer mentorship,

workshops and programming primarily for undergraduate students who are income

eligible and of the first generation in their families to attend and graduate from a four

year university.

The purpose of STEP is to facilitate the transition of EOP students to UCSB. During STEP,

students receive an introduction to college-level courses and coursework and various

valuable resources available to them on campus. Workshops, lectures, and other

programs provide opportunities for students to learn outside the classroom. Students

discover ways to enrich their college experience while creating social and support

University of California, Santa Barbara Fall 2021

networks on campus in order to cultivate a sense of belonging to the university

community. Note: STEP does not replace New Student Orientation.

2. EOP Summer Transfer Transition Program (STTP) For First-year Transfer Students

› STTP dates: August 2021 (exact program dates TBD)

› Application Deadlines: http://eop.sa.ucsb.edu/summer-programs/sttp

The Summer Transfer Transition Program (STTP) is a free ten-day virtual summer program

for incoming transfer students in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). The

purpose of STTP is to facilitate the transition of EOP transfer students to UCSB. Students

will be attending academic, social and career focused workshops and programs to

provide opportunities to learn outside the classroom. Students discover ways to enrich

their college experience and cultivate a sense of belonging at UCSB. Note: STTP does

not replace New Student Orientation.

Enter your parent or guardian contact information

› Deadline: Ongoing

Students must provide contact information for a parent, guardian or other contact to be used

in case of an emergency and for periodic official campus communications. To add a parent

or guardian contact, log into the Applicant Portal and click on “Complete the

Parent/Guardian Contact Form” in the “Steps to Enrollment” tab. If you do not have a parent

or guardian, the form will allow you to select “other” in the “Relationship” field and include an

alternate contact.

Get Ready to Start!

We strongly encourage you to attend orientation, where new students are assisted in the

registration process. New students who do not attend orientation should register online during

their Pass 2 registration appointment time in September. You will receive an email from the

Office of the Registrar with a link to Orientation’s website, which has information about

registering for classes online. International students will receive an email with information about

registering for courses.

The UCSB General Catalog contains major requirements, course descriptions and prerequisites.

Twelve units per quarter is the minimum to maintain full-time registered status. UCSB

undergraduates typically register for an average of 15 units per quarter.

For important enrollment information, deadlines, and to search for classes, log into GOLD.

Please note that to use GOLD (Gaucho On-Line Data System) you must have activated your

U-Mail account and UCSBnetID (please see the “Accepting Your Offer” section above for

information). To see enrollment information and search for classes without logging into GOLD,

visit the Class Search page.

University of California, Santa Barbara Fall 2021

While you are in GOLD, visit the My Personal Information page where you can ensure that the

information there is current and complete. Scroll down to the Pronouns section and choose

from the drop-down menu. The pronouns you select will appear on course rosters and in

GauchoSpace, the online learning environment for UCSB. To learn more about pronouns,

review Pronouns 101. All students are encouraged to select their pronouns in GOLD.

Pay fees

› Deadline: September 15

The exact cost of attending the University of California, Santa Barbara will vary. A detailed

breakdown of estimated expenses is available on the UCSB Office of Financial Aid and

Scholarships’ Cost of Attendance page.

The university's billing system (known as Billing, Accounts Receivable and Collections, or

“BARC”) consolidates all of the financial transactions related to attending UCSB into one

account. This includes all debts owed to the university such as fees, campus housing expenses,

lab fees or library fines as well as all credits such as your Financial Aid and Scholarship

transactions and payments made by you or by your family. Gaucho E-Bill is the electronic bill

presentment system employed by the university to notify students of their financial obligations

to the university. Billing statements are not mailed to students or parents. Each month an email

is sent to students’ U-Mail addresses notifying them that their bill can be viewed and paid. In

order for parents to receive email notifications and gain access to Gaucho E-Bill, students must

first authorize parent users to their account. More information can be found on the BARC

website, including step-by-step instructions on how to add a Parent User. New students can

expect their first billing statement notification during the month of August, with payment due

September 15. Failure to meet financial obligations on time will result in a $50 late payment fee

and/or being dropped from your classes. Fee payment deadlines are published quarterly in

the Schedule of Classes.

Don’t miss important dates and deadlines

It is your responsibility to check your U-Mail for information and to meet all deadlines. See the

Office of Admissions Dates and Deadlines page and don’t miss a deadline!

Event/Task

Deadline

Financial Aid Documents Deadline

June 15

Submit Transcripts

July 1

Insurance Waiver Deadline

September 1

Pay Fees

September 15

Move In Weekend (Tentative)

September 18-19

New Student Convocation

September 20

Instruction Begins

September 23

University of California, Santa Barbara Fall 2021

Please review important support systems online

There are important student support systems throughout the university. A useful list of support

services and web pages is available online. Please review the information as part of your Steps

to Enrollment and bookmark the page for your future reference.