header image

Policies and Consumer Information

Here you will find SBCC Financial Aid Policies and SBCC Consumer Information

SBCC Financial Aid Policies

In accordance with federal regulations set forth by The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, below is a summary of consumer information that must be made available to all students at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC). Each topic listed gives a brief description of the information that must be disclosed and explains how it can be obtained. If you need assistance obtaining information listed or you would like a paper copy, contact the Financial Aid Office.

I.Overview of Financial Aid Programs

Santa Barbara City College has a full array of Title IV programs and California State Programs.

Important Note: Your financial aid can be used to pay all college expenses including: enrollment & tuition, fees, textbooks & supplies, off-campus food & housing, transportation, and personal expenses. It is important to understand that you are responsible for any expenses your financial aid does not cover.

Alternative Loans offered by private lenders, Santa Barbara City College Foundation Scholarships and off campus scholarships are also administered by the SBCC Financial Aid Office.

Prospective or enrolled students who have questions about obtaining SBCC Scholarships or federal or state financial aid should contact the Santa Barbara City College Financial Aid Office at (805) 730-5157. Additional contact information for specific staff members can be found on our Financial Aid Contact page.

Santa Barbara City College has a full array of aid programs. Some are need based and some are non-need based as determined by the information provided and verified on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the SBCC Scholarship Application.

If you enroll in a Santa Barbara City College sponsored study abroad program, you may apply for financial aid through the SBCC Financial Aid Office. You will be considered for all aid programs (Pell Grant, Cal Grant (California Residents), CCPG (California Residents), Foundation Scholarships and Loans) except Federal Work-Study.

Depending on the cost of your study abroad program, the financial aid you receive may or may not meet your full demonstrated financial need. To make up the gap between your aid and the cost of your program, you may want to apply for a private scholarship or an alternative loan. Please also contact the Study Abroad Office about application procedures and deadlines for Study Abroad Scholarships. You are responsible for making any payments for the program by the appropriate deadlines.

Terms and conditions of Direct Loans are included in the Borrower’s Rights and Responsibilities Statement, which the borrower receives upon completion of a Master Promissory Note with the Department of Education. The borrower may request another copy of their Borrower’s Rights and Responsibilities Statement at any time by contacting the Direct Loan Servicing Center.

The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education’s central database for student financial aid records. Federal loans disbursed to students or parents will be submitted to NSLDS and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system. Student and parent borrowers can track and manage their federal student loans and grants online at www.nslds.ed.gov. The secured site displays information on loans and grants, including amounts, outstanding balances and status. Student and parent borrowers can also find contact information for their loan servicer.

Information regarding the various deferments available to student and parent loan borrowers is available at the Department of Education web site under  “Manage Loans”  click on “Lower My Payments”

Generally, borrowers will have 10 to 25 years to repay their loan, depending on the repayment plan they choose. The loan servicer will notify the borrower of the date the first payment is due. If a repayment plan is not chosen by the borrower, the borrower will be placed on the standard repayment plan, with fixed monthly payments for up to 10 years. Repayment plans can be changed at any time by contacting the loan servicer. Information about standard repayment, extended repayment, graduated repayment, income contingent repayment (not available for parent PLUS loans), and income-based repayment can be found at www.studentloans.gov under “Managing Repayment”. Click “Repayment Plans & Calculators”.

The Federal Government requires first-time student borrowers to complete loan entrance counseling to ensure that the student borrower understands the responsibilities and obligations they are assuming. In order to provide the required comprehensive information on the terms and conditions of the loan and the borrower’s responsibilities, first-time student loan borrowers at Santa Barbara City College are required to complete online entrance counseling at www.studentloans.gov as part of their Direct Loan application with SBCC.

Santa Barbara City College is required to provide counseling to federal student loan borrowers when the student ceases at least half-time study at SBCC. Student borrowers who fall below half-time units at SBCC are sent an email directing them to www.studentloans.gov to complete exit counseling and to receive information on monthly repayment amounts, repayment plan options, options to prepay or pay on a shorter schedule, debt management strategies, use of the Master Promissory Note, the seriousness and importance of student’s repayment obligation, terms and conditions for forgiveness or cancellation, terms and conditions for deferment or forbearance, consequences of default, options and consequences of loan consolidation, and tax benefits available to borrowers, as well as other necessary information.

Any student applying for a private education loan at Santa Barbara City College must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) with the school in order to ensure that all available waivers and grants are available to the student, as well as to encourage students to make use of low-interest loans available through the Department of Education (subsidized if eligible). Student borrowers at Santa Barbara City College are counseled to compare the terms and conditions of Department of Education loans with the terms and conditions of private education loans to determine the more favorable borrowing option.

Upon request, Santa Barbara City College will provide the self-certification form for private education loans required under Sec. 128(e)(3) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1638(e)(3) and the information required to complete the form, to the extent that Santa Barbara City College possesses the information.

II. Information About Santa Barbara City College

The Disability Services and Programs for Students (DSPS) provides support services to students with disabilities in an effort to ensure equal opportunity and participation at the college. For more information about the facilities and services available to students with disabilities, visit the DSPS department's website.

SBCC regularly reports this information to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Follow these steps to access this information:

  • Go to the IPEDS College Navigator at nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
  • In the “Name of School” box type Santa Barbara City College
  • Click on the Santa Barbara City College link that appears.
  • For gender and race/ethnicity data, click on the Enrollments link to expand the selection
  • For information about Pell Grant recipients, expand the Financial Aid link

Gender, demographic, and other data is also available in the Student Profile documents published regularly by the SBCC department of Institutional Assessment, Research, and Planning can be found on our website at sbcc.edu/institutionalresearch

Student can access each semester's book list at sbccbooks.com. Every class in the schedule has a link to the booklist. Not all classes listed require texts.

Each semester's booklist is posted at the same time the class schedule is made public. Book information is listed as it becomes known through the submission of book orders from faculty. The list is updated daily.

 The book list is subject to substantial change prior to, and through the course of a semester. A disclaimer listing various reasons for these changes can be found at  sbccbooks.com/site_disclaimer.asp . The Textbook Refund Policy is listed on the same page.

Santa Barbara City College encourages eligible students to register to vote. Students may access the California Voter Registration website by logging onto Pipeline and selecting “Register to Vote” on the Student Registration tab. Students wishing to register via voter registration card may pick one up in Admissions & Records, Student Services Building, SS 110 or in the Office of Student Life, Campus Center. The Office of Student Life also organizes voter registration events periodically. Additionally, voter registration cards are provided to all graduates at the time of diploma distribution.

The college provides the instructional, laboratory, and physical plant facilities needed to support each of its academic programs. Contact the chairperson for the department for specific information about the facilities and resources available to support the academic program. Departments can be found online here.

Information on the college's faculty and instructional personnel is available through Santa Barbara City College’s online catalog and through the Office of Human Resources.  The office is located in Santa Barbara City College’s Student Services Building, Room 230, 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109.

Illegal Distribution of Copyrighted Materials

SBCC supports the Higher Education Opportunity Act and Digital Millennium Copyright Act, including efforts to eliminate the illegal distribution of copyrighted material. SBCC Board Policy 3710 and SBCC Administrative Procedure 3710, developed through the consultation process, provide guidelines to students, faculty and staff to assist in compliance with federal copyright laws. BP and AP 3710 are posted on the college website at sbcc.edu/boardoftrustees/board_policies_procedures.php

In order to comply with the new federal regulation requiring the development of educational programming to celebrate Constitution Day on September 17 of each year, Santa Barbara City College’s Office of Student Life provides faculty, students and staff with access to U.S. Constitution Day educational resources, movies, toolkits and free pocket size U.S. Constitution books.

BP and AP 5500 - Standards of Student Conduct

III. Information Regarding Student Outcomes

SBCC regularly reports this information to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).Follow these steps to access this information:

1. Go to the IPEDS College Navigator at nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/

2. In the “Name of School” box type Santa Barbara City College

3. Clink on the Santa Barbara City College link that appears.

4. Click on the Retention and Graduation Rates link to expand the selection.

Graduation and retention rates must be provided to student-athletes, their parents, high school coaches, and guidance counselors when an athletically related student aid offer is made. Santa Barbara City College does not offer financial aid to students based on athletic ability. For information on graduation and retention rates or student success programs for student-athletes, please contact the Athletic Department, 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109-2394.

As part of federally mandated Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, information on annual participation rates and financing of men's and women's sports in intercollegiate athletic programs is available by request to students and the general public. For more information or to receive a copy of the report, contact the Athletic Department, Santa Barbara City College, 721 Cliff Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93109-2394 or you can find the data online: ope.ed.gov/athletics

IV. Information Regarding Health and Safety

The Annual Security Report including the college's crime statistics is available online before October 1st of each year. An email to staff, faculty and students will proceed the report informing them where to view the report and how to request the report to be delivered by mail.

Timely warnings which alert staff, faculty and students whenever a serious crime takes place on campus and the suspects are at large leaving a potential risk to the college's employees, students and guests. Staff, faculty and students would be alerted by campus wide email as well as notices posted on building entrances campus wide.

The Daily Crime Log is available for review at the Campus Safety Office.

Santa Barbara City College Health Services Center offers The Anchor: Alcohol and Substance Abuse Awareness Program for students. View complete program description and contact information at their website.