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💰 University of California-Santa Barbara Merit Scholarships

Total Scholarships

Automatic

In-State Awards

$5,000-$7,500/yr

Out-of-State Awards

$5,000-$7,500/yr

Multi-Year Awards

$7,000-$50,000 total

Typical Requirements for Automatic Merit

Requirements vary by scholarship

University of California-Santa Barbara offers 11 merit scholarships. Awards run $5,000-$7,500/yr for out-of-state students. Against tuition of $47,346, students receiving the largest award pay about $39,846 a year before other aid.

What you'd actually pay at University of California-Santa Barbara

Tuition & fees

$47,346

−

Largest annual award

$7,500

Students receiving it pay about

$39,846/yr

Tuition and fees only — housing (about $20,279), books and travel are extra. Awards must still be won and may carry renewal conditions. Need-based aid is separate and may reduce this further.

Official Scholarship Information

View complete details on University of California-Santa Barbara's website

Visit School Website →

Automatic merit scholarships at University of California-Santa Barbara — no separate application

1 award granted on your admission application, based on GPA and test scores.

Regents Scholarship Award

Award

$5,000/yr in-state

$5,000/yr out-of-state

Currently the award is $5,000 per year for four years for entering freshmen.

Eligibility: All freshmen admitted for the fall quarter at UCSB are considered for the Regents Scholarship, based on their UC Application for Admission. No additional information is required.

How to apply: ["considered based on UC application for admission", "must be U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or non-citizen qualifying under CA Assembly Bills 130 or 131"]

📋 Renewal: 3.2 GPA Source ↗

Other scholarships at University of California-Santa Barbara (10)

These require a separate application, or the school does not publish their eligibility criteria.

Beinecke Scholarship

Award: $4,000 immediately and additional $30,000 for attending graduate school

Eligibility: Eligibility: Juniors; U.S. citizens; plan to enter a master's or doctoral program in the arts, humanities, or social sciences; documented history of receiving need-based financial aid; GPA of 3.7 or higher

How to apply: ["campus nomination required", "CV/resume", "personal statement", "financial data sheet", "three signed letters of recommendation", "transcripts"]

Source ↗

Boren Scholarship

$20,000 total

Award: up to $20,000 depending on duration of study abroad program

Eligibility: Eligibility: Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, Senior; U.S. citizens; all majors; plan to study abroad in world regions critical to U.S. national security; interest in national security career

How to apply: ["online application", "program budget", "two to three letters of recommendation", "official transcripts", "optional campus endorsement if submitted by campus deadline"]

Source ↗

Churchill Scholarship

$50,000 total

Award: Up to $50,000 to pursue graduate study at University of Cambridge.

Eligibility: Eligibility: Seniors or students who have graduated within the past academic year in mathematics, engineering, or sciences; U.S. citizens and nationals; GPA 3.7 or higher

How to apply: ["campus nomination required", "complete online Churchill application", "correspondence from a laboratory director or supervisor at Cambridge", "four signed letters of recommendation", "official transcripts"]

Source ↗

CLS Program

Award: fully funded intensive language program abroad

Eligibility: Eligibility: Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, Senior; U.S. citizens; enrolled and pursuing a degree at an accredited US institution during fall of application year; all majors

How to apply: ["online application to CLS", "three short essays", "statement of purpose"]

Source ↗

Gaither Junior Fellows

$40,000 total

Award: Up to $40,000 and benefits.

Eligibility: Eligibility: Seniors or students who have graduated within the past academic year; serious career interest in international affairs; permission to work in the United States.

How to apply: ["campus nomination required", "UCSB campus-specific Junior Fellows webform", "resume/CV", "personal statement", "writing sample", "two letters of recommendation"]

Source ↗

Goldwater Scholarship

$7,500/yr

Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually.

Eligibility: Eligibility: Sophmores or Juniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; GPA 3.8 or higher; mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering

How to apply: ["campus nomination required", "online pre-application and full online application", "three letters of recommendation", "research essay"]

Source ↗

Marshall Scholarship

Award: University fees, cost of living expenses, annual book grant, thesis grant, research and daily travel grants, fares to and from the United States

Eligibility: Eligibility: Seniors or students who have recently graduated; U.S. citizens; GPA 3.7 or higher

How to apply: ["campus nomination required", "online application", "three letters of recommendation", "official transcripts"]

Source ↗

Strauss Scholarship

$15,000 total

$15,000 award for both project expenses ($8,000) and educational support ($7,000)

Eligibility: Eligibility: Sophomores or Juniors with 1 or 2 full years before graduating; strong commitment to public service; GPA in the upper 1/3 of the class

How to apply: ["apply directly to Strauss Foundation (no campus nomination required as of 2024-25)", "complete online application", "project proposal", "letters of recommendation"]

Source ↗

Truman Scholarship

$30,000 total

The Truman Scholarship is a merit-based federal grant (up to $30,000) awarded to undergraduate students who to attend graduate or professional school in preparation for careers in public service.

Eligibility: Eligibility: Juniors; U.S. citizens or nationals; GPA 3.5 or higher; committed to public service careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors

How to apply: ["campus nomination required", "online application", "three letters of recommendation", "official transcripts"]

Source ↗

Udall Scholarship

$7,000 total

Award: up to $7,000 for educational expenses

Eligibility: Eligibility: Sophomores and Juniors who either 1) have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment; or 2) who are Native Americans or Alaska Natives in fields related to Native health care or tribal public policy; GPA of 3.0 or above.

How to apply: ["campus nomination required", "online application", "nominee essay", "three signed letters of recommendation", "official transcripts"]

Source ↗

Common questions about University of California-Santa Barbara scholarships

How much merit aid does University of California-Santa Barbara give?

Published awards range $5,000-$7,500/yr. University of California-Santa Barbara lists 11 merit scholarships in total.

Does University of California-Santa Barbara give merit scholarships to out-of-state students?

Yes. Awards for out-of-state students run $5,000-$7,500/yr.

Is there a full-ride scholarship at University of California-Santa Barbara?

Not a full ride. The largest published award covers about 16% of tuition.

💡 Tip: Award amounts and cutoffs change year to year. Confirm current figures with University of California-Santa Barbara's financial aid office before making decisions — or check their scholarship page.

More on University of California-Santa Barbara

Admissions, cost & outcomes → 🏈 Athletics & sports 📍 All schools in CA 💰 Schools with automatic merit

Other CA schools with automatic merit scholarships

Biola University La Mirada, CA → California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA → Hope International University Fullerton, CA → Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles, CA → Occidental College Los Angeles, CA → Pacific Union College Angwin, CA → Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA → University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA →