Financial Assistance

Get the help you need to achieve your goals. Made possible by the Empowerment and Opportunities Fund.

 

 

Scholarships

Empowerment and Opportunity Fund Scholarships are available on a "need to" basis for our students who want to progress towards the completion of their degrees via Open University or wish to enhance their professional skillset via PaCE Certificate offerings.  Priority will be given to California residents.

Since Fall 2019 we have funded over 76 students with our scholarships, for a total of over $35,000. Applications are open! Check the FAQs below for additional information, including eligibility requirements and deadlines.

Professional Scholarships: Our Professional scholarships are available for UCSB PaCE professional courses. Residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Kern counties are prioritized.  Deserving PaCE Certificate applicants will be selected by PaCE. More information available here.

Open University Scholarships: Scholarships are available for non-matriculated students taking UCSB courses via Open University, regardless of their previous UCSB affiliation. Residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Kern counties are prioritized. Deserving applicants will be selected by PaCE. More information available here.

GROW Scholarships
GROW Scholarships are available for residents in specific areas who need to progress in their degrees via Open University or wish to enhance their professional skill-set via PaCE Professional Courses and Certificate offerings. GROW Program FAQ.
GROW Professional Scholarships: Deserving PaCE Certificate applicants will be selected by PaCE.
GROW Open University Scholarships: Deserving UCSB student applicants eligible for Open University will be selected in conjunction with the appropriate college advisors. 

UC Degree Completion Program
The UC Degree Completion Program is a state-funded initiative designed to help Californians who have some college but no degree, successfully earn their Bachelor’s degree or a professional certificate, and advance their career. See here for details.

Additional Scholarships for UCSB Staff

Dilling Yang's Staff Scholarship
Effective July 1, 2022, non-probationary career staff with a full-time-equivalent salary less than or equal to $5,870 per month are eligible to apply for the Dilling Yang Staff Scholarship Program. Eligible career staff may apply for scholarship awards for education, training, and other learning opportunities available at UC Santa Barbara. All programs by UCSB PaCE, including Open University are eligible. 
Please check the full details and apply here:

Golden State Education and Training Grant Program

A new Golden State Education and Training Grant Program (GSETGP) that was established in the 2021-22 state budget. This new program offers one-time grants to eligible California resident workers who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are enrolling in public education or training programs to learn new skills and get back into the workforce. To be eligible for a GSETGP grant, the applicant must meet the income and asset criteria of the Cal Grant A award (pursuant to subdivision (k) of Section 69432.7) and must have been: 

  • Displaced from employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Unable to obtain employment that provides an average monthly wage that is equal to or greater than the average monthly wage received from their employment prior to the COVID-19 pandemic 
  • Not enrolled in a training program, college, or university at the time they were displaced from employment 

Please check the full details, FAQ, and apply here:

Other Financial Aid

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA): if you have received WIOA funding, find additional information here.
Department of Reabilitation (DOR): if you have received DOR funding, find additional information here. 
Student Loans: find information here about loans and other sources of funding.

Tax Information

Tax Credit 1098-T Form: UC Santa Barbara Division of Professional and Continuing Education will provide the IRS with information on students who have paid fees that qualify for the Lifetime Learning and Hope Scholarship Credits. Find additional information here.