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; 3-bedroom apartments (double and triple occupancy bedrooms) in San Joaquin Villages; and single occupancy studio apartments (limited availability) in Westgate Apartments.
Important Dates
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January 30 | Housing Application Opens
The continuing undergraduate student housing application opens on January 30, 2023 at 10:00am. Applying for housing is not a guarantee that you will receive a contract. Please check your U-Mail account directly and frequently so that you don’t miss any important messages from UCSB. It is not reliable 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.
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February 16 | Housing Application Closes
The housing application closes on February 16 for priority consideration. Students who apply by February 16 will be considered on-time applicants for housing. All students applying after February 16 will be added to the late applicant list for consideration after our new student application processes are concluded.
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Late Feb-Early Mar | Contracts Offered
Contract offers will be determined by a lottery process. Students who receive a contract may exercise the option to choose their preferred roommate(s) who have the same type of housing contract. We anticipate that available space in our housing communities will be limited. UCSB typically only houses about 40% of its returning student population, and every student who applies may not receive a contract offer. Students not awarded an offer initially, but who also applied by February 16, may remain on a priority list for future spaces. However, we strongly recommend students without contracts explore other possibilities and attend our educational programs regarding community housing options.
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Late Feb - May | Roommate Process Opens
The optional roommate group process is open for students to choose each other if they have been offered and signed 2023-24 Academic Year contracts for UCSB Apartments.
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Late May | Bed Space Retention Begins
Current residents with a contract for 2023-24 may have the option to log in and retain their current bed space for the 2023-24 academic year. Please note, you are still expected to move out of your space in conjunction with your 2022-23 contract at the conclusion of Spring Quarter, even if you are returning to the same space in the fall.
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Late May-Early June | Self-Selection
Students with contracts will have the option to log in to select from available bed spaces for the 2023-24 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.
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July 16 | Cancellation Deadline for $100
There is a $100 cancellation fee from the time of signing the contract until July 16. Starting July 17 there is a $350 cancellation fee until September 1.
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Late August | Room Assignments
Assignment letters will be sent along with instructions for signing 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.
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Late September | Off Campus Meal Plan
Don't feel like cooking? UCSB Residential Dining offers students who don't live in the residence halls the option to eat in the UCSB Dining Commons through the Off Campus Meal Plan. The UCSB-owned and operated Tenaya Market & Eatery is conveniently located at the San Joaquin Villages apartment complex at the corner of El Colegio and Storke Roads, and offers local and sustainable food options as well.
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.