Students are encouraged to pay fees at the time of registration. Payment must be received within seven (7) calendar days of registration or you may be dropped for non-payment of fees. Students will not be dropped for non-payment after instruction has begun. As the student, you are responsible for dropping classes by the stated deadlines. If you register in a class and later change your mind, it is your responsibility to drop the class. Students finding it difficult to pay enrollment fees should visit the Financial Aid Office (SS-210) or visit the Financial Aid website before registering for classes. All fees are subject to change at any time by action of the State Legislature, Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges or District Board of Trustees.

Student Enrollment Fee

Santa Barbara City College charges a state-mandated Student Enrollment fee of $46 per unit to all enrolled students. The State of California, through its Board of Governor's Financial Assistance Program, provides fee credits, fee waivers, and special California College Promise Grants to help defray the cost of the Student Enrollment fee. Information on eligibility requirements and application deadlines, as well as application forms, are available on the Financial Aid website (SS-210).

Nonresident Tuition and Capital Outlay

No non-resident tuition is charged to legal residents of California.  In 2024-2025, students who have not been residents of California for one year or longer, prior to the beginning of a term, are required to pay a Nonresident Tuition fee and a Capital Outlay fee per each enrolled unit, in addition to the $46 Student Enrollment fee.  Non-resident tuition for Fall and Spring 2024-2025 is $361 per unit and the non-resident Capital Outlay fee of $22 per unit. The Non-resident Tuition and Capital Outlay fees are charged to students who are residents of other states, who are foreign nationals or who have taken legal residence in California for less than one year. Residency status is determined by the Office of Admissions and Records.  Tuition for international students is the same as non-residents, however international students may be required to pay additional fees. Visit the International Students website for more information.

Tuition/Enrollment Fee Refund

Refunds are not automatic; students who officially withdraw from a course by the stated course deadlines for a full refund will receive a credit toward future fees for the full amount of enrollment fees paid for those classes. Check your Schedule/Bill for deadline dates. Credits on your student account will first be applied to any outstanding charges; remaining credit balances may be left on your student account for future course registration or are eligible for a refund. Students who prefer to receive a refund of their credit may complete a Request for Refund Form. A $10 per semester processing fee will be deducted from enrollment fee refunds. (The charge does not apply to classes cancelled by the college.) If course (s) are dropped after the Refund Deadline listed on your Student Schedule/Bill, the mandatory fees are not eligible for a refund: Health Services, student Representation, Transportation and Student Activity Pass.

Health Services Fee

All students are required to pay a health services fee of $26 per Fall and Spring semester and $22 per Summer 2025 semester. Many health and wellness services are available free or at low cost through the Health & Wellness Office (SS-170) or online through Ask A Nurse. Students who depend exclusively upon prayer for healing in accordance with teachings of a bona fide religious sect, denomination, or organization, those students in apprenticeship programs and dual enrollment students registered for credit courses exclusively on a high school campus may be exempted from paying the health services fee. Refer to the Cashier's website for further information or complete a Petition for Health services Fee Exemption. Requests must be received within the first two weeks of Fall and Spring semesters and within the first week of Summer semesters.   

Parking Permits

Any student who intends to park a vehicle on campus must register their vehicle and purchase a parking permit. Parking permits are not required for mopeds and motorcycles. Prices include shipping, handling, postage and applicable credit card processing fees.  All Day/Evening permits are  $43.95 and Evening-Only permits are $23.95 per Fall and Spring semester. California College Promise Grant (CCPG) students are eligible for a reduced All Day/Evening permit of $33.95 per semester and are limited to one (1) purchase at the reduced rate. Any additional permits are available at the standard permit purchase price. Permits for each Summer semester are $23.95. Parking permits are non-transferable, and parking fees are only refundable to students who return permits prior to the first day of the semester. Lost/stolen permits will not be replaced. Purchasing a parking permit does not guarantee a parking space. Parking permits may be purchased online through the Student Portal. 

Student Transportation Fee

All students enrolled in an on-campus class and all students enrolled in online only course(s) and reside within the Santa Barbara District are required to pay a Student Transportation fee during registration. This fee is $32.00 per Fall and Spring semester for students enrolled in 6 units or more; $31.00 for students enrolled in fewer than 6 units per Fall and Spring; and $23.00 per Summer semester. The Student Transportation fee entitles a student to unlimited use of local community bus service by swiping your valid student identification card, CampusCard. If your Student Transportation fee has not been paid, the card will not be valid for ridership, regardless of current enrollment.  Fall Semester passes are valid seven days prior to the start date of Fall classes through seven days before the start of spring classes. Spring Semester passes are valid seven days prior to the start of Spring classes until the last day of final examinations for spring. Summer passes are valid seven days prior to the start of the Summer semester until the last day of final examinations for the semester. Students enrolling only in distance learning and residing outside of the District are exempt from paying the Student Transportation Fee. A refund is only issued if all eligible course(s) have been dropped by the refund deadline listed on the Class Schedule and Bill for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. No refunds are available after these dates.

Student Activity Pass Fee

Students are expected to pay a Student Activity Pass fee at the time of registration. The fee is $8 per Fall and Spring.  Summer semesters are excluded. This pass entitles students to free admission to numerous college events, in addition to discounts from the Campus Store (excluding textbooks/electronics) and businesses in the community.  Students may opt out of this fee at the time of registration and within the first two weeks of the start of the semester on their Student Portal. No refunds are available after this date.

Student Representation Fee

A representation fee of $2 per student per semester was established by election of the student body. The money collected through this fee provides support for students and/or representatives who state positions and viewpoints before city, county and district governments and before offices and agencies of local, State and Federal government. It was made possible by Assembly Bill 1358. A student has the right to opt out of the fee within the first two weeks of the start of the semester during Fall and Spring, and within the first week of Summer, for religious, political, moral or financial reasons, at the time of registration through the Student Portal. No refunds are available after this date. This fee is not covered by most forms of financial aid.

Instructional Materials Fees

Students may be required to purchase instructional materials for a credit or noncredit course and will be charged alongside their enrollment at the time of registration. Such materials shall be of continuing value to a student outside of the classroom setting. Any instructional material fees are published on the Schedule of Classes. Visit the Course Fees page in this catalog, or visit the Schedule of Classes to see which courses require instructional materials fees and see Board Policy and Administrative Procedure 5031 Instructional Materials Fees. 

Textbook/Lab Supplies

Students are expected to purchase all textbooks, supplies and uniforms, as needed for instruction. Some materials may be purchased through the Campus Store. 

CampusCard Replacement Fee

Campus ID Cards are provided free of charge to all enrolled students at SBCC. Obtaining a CampusCard is optional and recommended. All students must have a valid CampusCard to access the following services: MTD Bus System, Library check-outs, Open-access computer labs, athletic events, college performances, and other campus functions. The first replacement card issued is free. Every replacement card thereafter is a fee of $3.00 and charged to your student account and due immediately; payments may be made directly on your Student Portal. Campus ID Cards are administered and managed by the Office of Student Life. For more information, see their dedicated CampusCard website.