University undergraduate apartments* are available for continuing students that will be in their third year attending UCSB or higher. We keep it simple. Our nine-month contract includes your apartment with kitchen, utilities, wireless internet access, and furnishings, so no figuring out bills with various roommates, no deposit or first and last month rent, and no co-signing leases. If you are interested in privately-owned accommodations in the community, be sure to contact Community Housing Services before securing a place to stay.
*Apartment options include 1- and 2-bedroom apartments (double and triple occupancy bedrooms) in El Dorado, Santa Ynez, and Westgate Apartments; 2- and 3-bedroom apartments (double and triple occupancy bedrooms) in Sierra Madre Villages; and 3-bedroom apartments (double and triple occupancy bedrooms) in San Joaquin Villages. Please note that studio apartments and single occupancy bedrooms in shared apartments are extremely limited and require undergraduate students to contact our office for more information.
Important Dates
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Early January | Fall Housing Info sent to all Current Undergrads
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January 27 | 2025-26 Housing Application Opens
The continuing undergraduate student housing application opens on January 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. You will have the option to indicate your preference for a Living Learning Community at this time. There is no application fee. Applying for housing is not a guarantee that you will receive a contract. Please check your U-Mail account directly and frequently to avoid missing any important messages from UCSB. It is unreliable to forward your U-Mail to an alternate email (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.) If you don’t receive a confirmation email from us within a few minutes of submitting your application, check your spam folder. View our Housing Videos playlist on YouTube for more helpful information.
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January 31 | 2025-26 Academic Year Housing Application Closes
The application deadline for Priority consideration for Continuing Students closes on January 31. Students who apply by January 31, 2025, will be considered on-time applicants for housing. All students applying on or after February 1 will be added to the late applicant list for consideration after our new student application processes are concluded. Academic Year.
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Late Feb-Early Mar | Contracts Offered
Late February Early March-Contract offers will be sent out to applicants based upon their place in the lottery and based upon housing availability. Students who do not receive an offer will also be notified of their status.
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Early April | Self-Assignment Notices Sent
Contract holders receive times for self-assignment.
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Late April-Early May | Self-Assignment Process Begins
Students with contracts will have the option to log in to select from available bed spaces for the 2025-26 academic year. You will be able to hover over each room and see if another student has selected that room and view their preferences. If you are in an optional roommate group, assigning the Roommate Group Captain role to the student with the earliest self-select date is advantageous. Students who opt not to complete this process will be assigned based on availability. Watch our how-to-video on YouTube.
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Late April | Bed Space Retention Begins
Current residents with a contract for 2024-25 may have the option to log in and retain their current bed space for the 2025-26 academic year. Please note, you are still expected to move out of your space in conjunction with your 2024-25 contract at the conclusion of Spring Quarter, even if you are returning to the same space in the fall.
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July 14 | Cancellation Deadline for $100
There is a $100 cancellation fee from the time of signing the contract until July 14. Starting July 15 there is a $350 cancellation fee until September 1.
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Mid August | Formal Assignment Letters
Formal Assignment Letters are sent out to all students with a 2025-26 housing contract to sign up for a move-in time.
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September 1 | Cancellation Deadline for $350
September 1 is the deadline to cancel for a $350 fee. After September 1 contract holders will be held rent responsible until a replacement is found, or unless otherwise notified.
Personal Property Insurance
UC Santa Barbara requires renters insurance for all residents of campus housing. Renters insurance provides valuable protection if your personal belongings are stolen or damaged, including laptop computers, smartphones, bicycles, game consoles, textbooks, clothing, and other personal items. If your laptop or other valuables are stolen or damaged, you are responsible for replacing them - not the school. Renter’s insurance may also protect you financially for unintentional damage to the apartment and/ or bodily injury for which you are liable. The GradGuard insurance policy was designed for University of California students. Alternatively, you can check with your private homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy about coverage. If you don't have your housing assignment when you sign up, please use the following address:
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93107
If you have questions about the online application process, please contact University & Community Housing Services at 805-893-4371 or email your questions to housinginfo@housing.ucsb.edu. Please visit our Rates page for fee information, and our Billing page for help navigating the payment process.
To inquire about gender-inclusive housing options available for students that identify as trans* or non-binary, please contact University & Community Housing Services at housinginfo@housing.ucsb.edu.