Meet Our Staff

Dear UCSB Community,

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is here to assist you with all of your financial aid related needs and our goal is to provide UCSB families with the services necessary to achieve their educational goals. We are committed to providing accurate, user-friendly, responsive, and respectful service to students and their families. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help in any way. On behalf of the Office of Financial and Scholarships, I wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.

Saul Quiroz

Regards,

Saúl Quiroz
Director 
University of California, Santa Barbara
(805) 893 - 4941
saul.quiroz@sa.ucsb.edu

Staff

  • Arleth Real Advisor

    Arleth is a member of the Financial Aid Advisor unit. Financial Aid Advisors work closely with students, families and colleagues across the university in various capacities. 

    What is your favorite spot on campus and why?

    Campus point! The view at sunrise is amazing.
  • Alexis Guerra Assistant Director
    Alexis supervises a team of financial aid advisors with diverse aid program responsibilities. Additionally, Alexis coordinates our Middle Class Scholarship program and supports our Dream Scholar student population. She administers state funding and works closely with students to facilitate navigating the financial aid process.
    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    A burger! You can never go wrong with a burger. It's a balanced meal!
  • Alondra Candelario Basic Needs Advisor

    Alondra is a member of the Financial Crisis Response Team and supports the Basic Needs efforts for the campus. This work ensures students are getting the support they need to thrive at UCSB. 

    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    I would have enchiladas Michoacánas for the rest of my life because it's a savory regional dish full of complimentary flavors.

  • Andrew Height Fiscal Analyst
    Andrew provides important leadership to the fiscal operations unit as the primary reviewer for cash handling and work study management. He is the unit lead for new system implementations and maintenance.

    What is your favorite spot on campus and why?

    Campus Point

  • Ariana Flores Advisor

    Ariana supports students in the Teacher Education Program with their financial aid needs and coordinates the Private Student Loans Program in our department.

    What is one thing you would really like to learn and why?

    I would really like to learn how to surf! I love the ocean and living in Santa Barbara I feel like it's a must!
  • Benito Zaragoza Specialist
    Benito is a critical member of the student services team, carefully assisting all of our students through the financial aid process in multiple capacities.
    What is one thing you would really like to learn and why?

    I would like to learn how to Scuba Dive because life under water is so beautiful.
  • Christina Gutierrez Records Coordinator

    Christina processes and maintains all documents that flow through our office. Her work enables each required verification and appeal file to be prepared for processing and for the office to maintain all critical records.  

    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

    Tacos!

  • Hailey Neely Specialist
    Hailey is a critical member of the student services team, carefully assisting all of our students through the financial aid process in multiple capacities.
    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    Massaman Curry - It's my favorite food!
  • Jesse Quintino Advisor
    Jesse is a member of the Financial Aid Advisor unit. Financial Aid Advisors work closely with students, families and colleagues across the university in various capacities. 
    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    Tacos! You could never go wrong with some carne asada tacos.
  • Josie Miller Financial & Work-Study Analyst

    Josie is the department contact for campus Work-Study and scholarship questions. She is the primary cash handler for over $4 million in scholarship checks that come from over 1,000 outside agencies all over the country. She provides financial analysis for federal programs.

    What is your favorite spot on campus?

    Overlooking the lagoon, it’s a peaceful place to stand and you can see and feel the ocean.

  • Juanita Iheanacho Scholarships and Donor Relations Manager

    Juanita manages the department’s scholarship efforts, ensuring that we are doing the most to provide scholarship support to our amazing UCSB students. 

    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    Tagliatelle con Funghi Misti from Trattoria Vittoria. Trust me on this!
  • Julie Portillo Fiscal Manager
    Julie directs all fiscal activities for over $400 million in student aid dollars that OFAS is responsible for administering. This work makes sure student awards can be paid timely and accurately.

    What is one thing you would really like to learn?

    How to speak Arabic. It's one of the languages I started to study but never fully learned.

  • Lianne Gil Advisor
    Lianne coordinates the Federal Pell Grant program, awarding approximately 40 million in federal aid dollars to income-eligible students each year. She also is a lead in special verification processing that is essential to determine aid eligibility for our students. 

    What is your favorite spot on campus and why?

    Benches on northeast side of the campus over looking the Pacific Ocean

  • Makoa Rios VA Certifying Official
    Makoa supports our veteran and veteran related students, processing their VA benefits and working closely with UCSB Veteran & Military Services to provide support for the community.
    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    Doners! There is so much variety and versions from all over the world. Germany and Mexico are just a few nations that have many of their own takes on the original Turkish Doner.
  • Maria Galicia Work Study Coordinator
    Maria coordinates the off campus Work-Study Program ensuring UCSB students have opportunities to explore careers outside the UCSB campus and providing a valuable resource to local businesses. She is the main contact for off-campus Work-Study students and employers.

    What is one thing you would really like to learn and why?

    Paddle boarding, it looks fun but I would also like learn to balance and stability!

  • Maria Santiago Advisor
    Maria handles adjusting student's financial aid when they withdraw from school during a quarter. 
    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    My mom's pozole because she makes it just as I like it! No meat and full of veggies.
  • Maribel Acevedo Financial Analyst
    Maribel manages scholarship awarding for all campus scholarships, awards, prizes, resources, and from external agency donors. This support provides more than 15 million to UCSB students. She provides financial analysis for State programs.

    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    Pizza

  • Mischa Lopez Assistant Director
    Mischa manages the student services team that assists over 19,000 students with their financial aid every year. She also directs summer aid awarding and institutional loans for the campus. 

    What is your favorite spot on campus and why?

    The Koi Pond because it's believed that spirit of the koi near you will attract good luck, fortune, and spiritual benefits. 

  • Montse Granados Basic Needs Advisor
    Montsei s a member of the Financial Crisis Response Team and supports the Basic Needs efforts for the campus. This work ensures students are getting the support they need to thrive at UCSB. 
    What is one thing you would really like to learn and why?

    Pottery so I can make funky pieces of art!
  • Natalie Armistead Basic Needs Coordinator

    Natalie leads the Financial Crisis Response Team and multiple Basic Needs efforts for the campus that ensures students are getting the support they need. Her team provides responses to students in crisis within 24-48 hours so that no student falls through the cracks during an emergency.  

    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    Veggie Tacos!
  • Nathan Cook Associate Director
    Nate leads the advising and financial aid program administration unit. He works behind the scenes to help ensure timely processing of financial aid applications, student budgets, awards, and disbursements.

    What is one thing you would really like to learn?

    The meaning of life, the universe, and everything.

  • Nicole Dominguez Compliance Manager
    Nicole monitors our processing to ensure federal, state, and institutional compliance. She also trains the staff on new regulations so that we maintain quality, accurate processing.   

    What is your favorite spot on campus?

    The bluffs by campus point

  • Stacey Eymann Assistant Director

    Stacey supervises a team of financial aid advisors with diverse aid program responsibilities. Additionally, Stacey works directly with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Program. 

    What is your favorite spot on campus and why?

    Walking the cliffs along Lagoon Road right across from Anacapa dorm, especially looking out at the Goleta pier at night, the lights reflecting on the ocean remind me of Vincent Van Gogh's painting Starry Night Over the Rhône.
  • Toni Martinez Advisor
    Toni handles updating student's awards when they cancel their enrollment for the quarter or when returning to school after a break, as well as when students are enrolled in UC Cross-Campus during Summer.
    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    Chicken Tikka Masala because the flavor is so vibrant!
  • Vanessa Ponce Advisor
    Vanessa is a member of the Financial Aid Advisor unit. Financial Aid Advisors work closely with students, families and colleagues across the university in various capacities. 
    What is one thing you would really like to learn and why?

    I would like to learn how to cook at least one meal, and one dessert from around the world.

Student Staff

  • Brenda Guerrero
    As a student Peer Advisor, Brenda advises students regarding the financial aid process which includes applying for aid, review of required documentation, awarding and disbursing financial aid.
    What is one thing you would really like to learn and why?

    I love going to the gym and lifting weights but my goal is to learn how to do a non assisted pull up!
  • Danielle Holguin
    As a student Peer Advisor, Danielle advises students regarding the financial aid process which includes applying for aid, review of required documentation, awarding and disbursing financial aid.
    What is one thing you would really like to learn and why?

    I would love to learn how to cook so I could make dinner for my friends and family!
  • Henry Barro
    As a student Peer Advisor, Henry advises students regarding the financial aid process which includes applying for aid, review of required documentation, awarding and disbursing financial aid.
    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    I would take a surf-and-turf burrito, no question asks, due to the protein and the love I have for shrimp and asada.
  • Jennilynn Gonzalez
    As a student Peer Advisor, Jennilynn advises students regarding the financial aid process which includes applying for aid, review of required documentation, awarding and disbursing financial aid.
    What is one thing you would really like to learn and why?

    One thing I'd really like to learn is how to sew or do crochet. I've always wanted to make my own designs and be creative!
  • Julia Magallanes
    As a student Peer Advisor, Julia advises students regarding the financial aid process which includes applying for aid, review of required documentation, awarding and disbursing financial aid.
    What is one thing you would really like to learn and why?

    I would love to learn how to ride a bike! Once I do I can officially call myself a Gaucho!
  • Leslie Alvarez
    As a student Peer Advisor, Leslie advises students regarding the financial aid process which includes applying for aid, review of required documentation, awarding and disbursing financial aid.
    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    Enchiladas!
  • Michelle Castro Arreguin
    As a student Peer Advisor, Michelle advises students regarding the financial aid process which includes applying for aid, review of required documentation, awarding and disbursing financial aid.
    If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

    My mom's carne con nopales and tortillas de harina because it's so good and gives me a wholesome feeling when I eat it.
  • Nareh Lachikian
    As a student Peer Advisor, Nareh advises students regarding the financial aid process which includes applying for aid, review of required documentation, awarding and disbursing financial aid.
    What is one thing you would really like to learn and why?

    I want to learn how to surf! Living in Santa Barbara provides the perfect opportunity to learn a new activity with friends.
  • Sujei Salas Lozano
    As a student Peer Advisor, Sujei advises students regarding the financial aid process which includes applying for aid, review of required documentation, awarding and disbursing financial aid.
    What is your favorite spot on campus and why?

    Campus point, the sunsets look the nicest and it feels very calm to go to after having a long day!