Important Notice: The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships only administers federal and state financial aid for Graduate Students. For information about fellowships or extramural funding for graduate students, visit the Graduate Division Financial Support website.
Types of Funding for Graduate Students
Federal Direct Loans
Unsubsidized Direct Loan
UCSB participates in the Federal Direct Loan program provided by the U.S. government. Graduate students may qualify for Unsubsidized loans which do not require a credit check and/or collateral.
Grad PLUS Loan
The federal Graduate PLUS Loan allows graduate students to borrow up to the full cost of education minus other Financial Aid received. Students must apply each new school year on Studentaid.gov. The PLUS loan requires a credit check that is valid for 180 days.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025. This legislation contains provisions that reshape student financial aid, including substantial changes student loan eligibility that take effect beginning with the 2026-2027 year.
What Graduate Students Need to Know
Teacher Education Program (TEP) Funding
Golden State Teacher Grant
The Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) provides funding of up to $20,000 for the academic year split between Fall, Winter, Spring. GSTG recipients commit to work at an eligible priority school or California State Preschool Program (CSPP) for 2 years within 4 years of the date they complete their teaching credential program.
Cal Grant Extension
Undergraduate Cal Grant A and B recipients who have been accepted and enrolled in TEP within 15 months of their last received Cal Grant payment may qualify to have their entitlement extended for a fifth year.
TEACH Grant Program
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 a year in grant aid to college students who plan to become teachers and who are committed to teaching in a Title I school in specified subject areas.
Students must complete three steps to apply for a TEACH grant for UCSB’s TEP Program: (1) TEACH Entrance Counseling and (2) Agreement to Serve requirements on the website, and then (3) submit the 2025-2026 UCSB TEACH Grant Application to our office.
Other Resources
Federal Work Study
Work Study is a need-based form of Financial Aid that you earn through on- or off-campus employment and receive in the form of a paycheck. Learn more about Federal Work Study.
Fellowships & Extramural Funding
For more information about how to pay for graduate school and for inquiries regarding fellowships & extramural funding for graduate students, visit the Graduate Division Financial Support website.
- Email: financial@graddiv.ucsb.edu
- Department Inquiries: For specific questions relating to your department, please contact your department directly.
Financial Crisis & Basic Needs
If you are facing financial crisis or urgent basic need please contact the Financial Crisis Response Team. For more information on Basic Needs resources as UCSB please visit: Home | Basic Needs