University of California, Santa Barbara
   

Medical Care

Students are encouraged to make use of UCSB’s high quality and fully accredited Student Health Service, which offers lower rates than most other medical facilities. Both Urgent Care and appointments are available to meet student needs. All registered students may be seen at Student Health, with no charge for visits to the advice nurse, social worker, or Alcohol & Drug Program. Medical and psychiatric services within Student Health are provided at no additional charge for students who purchase UCSB’s student health insurance; referrals must be obtained for non-emergency coverage at other local medical offices. Students with other insurance will have charges made to their BARC account, and statements can be obtained to submit to other insurances. More information can be found on the Student Health website at http://studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu, or call Student Health at (805) 893-5361.

If you are unable to pay for emergency medical expenses due to financial hardship, you might look into one of the funding sources below. If these don’t meet your needs, you can also consult the “General Purpose Funding” section of this guide. If you have questions about UCSB’s student health insurance coverage, you should speak with the health insurance office at Student Health by calling (805) 893-2592. If you have financial challenges related to complex, ongoing, or long-term medical situations, you can also meet with a social worker, who can provide referrals, problem-solving assistance, and information on available options. To schedule an appointment with a UCSB social worker, call (805) 893-3087.

AS/EOP Emergency Grants – Dental
These are available to Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students currently receiving needbased financial aid who have exhausted other resources. These grants are issued as reimbursement funding for emergency-type dental services only. Grants for teeth cleaning alone will not be approved unless this is part of a more extensive dental service. Turnaround time: Usually 1-2 weeks. The deadline for submissions is every Thursday at 2 p.m. for review for the following week. Required documentation: A written statement describing the circumstances and the amount requested, to be addressed to the EOP director; application form (obtained from counselor); original receipts for items that are being covered; photo ID. How to apply: Schedule an appointment to meet with an EOP counselor to discuss eligibility and details by calling (805) 893-4758. You do not need to have all of your documentation ready at the time of the appointment.

AS/EOP Emergency Grants – Medical
These are available to Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students receiving need-based financial aid who have exhausted other resources. These grants are issued as reimbursement funding for medical expenses exceeding insurance coverage (including the deductible). Medical expenses resulting in hospitalization due to serious illness or injury may qualify you for special consideration for a grant up to $1,500 beyond what the insurance has paid. EOP/A.S. Grants will cover only pharmaceutical expenses exceeding the maximum amount covered by university insurance, up to $500. Turnaround time: Usually 1-2 weeks. The deadline for submissions is every Thursday at 2 p.m. for review for the following week. Required documentation: A written statement describing the circumstances and the amount requested, to be addressed to the EOP director; application form (obtained from counselor); original receipts for items that are being covered; photo ID. How to apply: Schedule an appointment to meet with an EOP counselor to discuss eligibility and details by calling (805) 893-4758. You do not need to have all your documentation ready at the time of the appointment.

AS/EOP Emergency Grants – Optical
These are available to Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students receiving need-based financial aid who have exhausted other resources. These grants are issued as reimbursement funding for glasses or contact lenses (not both), including the eye exam fee. The purchase needs to have occurred during the time that the student was enrolled in classes. Optical care grants are awarded once every other fiscal year. Regular eye exams alone are not covered by A.S. Grant funds. Maximum grant amount: $110 above UCSB’s student health insurance allowance. Turnaround time: Usually 1-2 weeks. The deadline for submissions is every Thursday at 2 p.m. for review for the following week. Required documentation: A written statement describing the circumstances and the amount requested, to be addressed to the EOP director; application form (obtained from counselor); original receipts for items that are being covered; photo ID. How to apply: Schedule an appointment to meet with an EOP counselor to discuss eligibility and details by calling (805) 893-4758. You do not need to have all your documentation ready at the time of the appointment.

Community Medical Clinics and Resources

If you would like to pursue other options in the community, see if the following resources are right for you:
  • Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics offer low-cost, accessible medical care including family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, family planning and contraceptive services, gynecology, and immunizations. Visit www.sbclinics.com to find a location near you.
  • Planned Parenthood provides educational and medical services focused on reproductive health, family planning, and contraceptive services, including Pap tests, breast exams, pregnancy testing and counseling, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and HIV. Planned Parenthood is located at 518 Garden Street in Santa Barbara. For more information, visit www.plannedparenthood.org/ppsbvslo or call (888) 898-3806.
  • To research additional medical clinics and resources, you can also contact the 2-1-1 Santa Barbara County Helpline by dialing 211 or visiting www.fsacares.org/2-1-1-helpline.

Danny Riley Fund
The Danny Riley Fund was created to assist undergraduate students who are suffering from cancer and other serious, chronic illnesses, and to help them remain actively engaged in their educational careers and achieve their full potential. Grants are used to support these students and their families, thereby easing their financial burdens while attending to their medical needs. Maximum grant amount: Determined on a case-by-case basis. Turnaround time: Approximately 30 days. Required documentation: Speak with the Disabled Students Program director for details. How to apply: Contact the Disabled Students Program director at (805) 893-2182 or (805) 893-2668.

Legends of Student Health Fund
Legends of Student Health is an endowment fund contributed by Santa Barbara physicians to assist students with medical and psychological conditions who might be unable or reluctant to seek recommended care due to financial reasons. The fund may be used for insurance deductible or co-payment costs, pharmacy charges, and other medical bills. Students must have exhausted all other known resources, except in cases of immediate need. The fund is administered by social workers at Student Health who will review applications and make recommendations for approval to the Student Health director. To schedule an appointment with a UCSB social worker, call (805) 893-3087.

Orion Fund
The Orion fund provides grants toward uncovered medical costs, medical technology, educational costs, and living expenses to college students in California who are living with serious, noncongenital illness and injury so they may continue working toward their educational goals. Grants are applied to cover the costs of medical crises that occurred within the previous year. Maximum grant amount: $5,000. Turnaround time: 3 weeks. Required documentation: Application form, personal statement, letters from medical/other advisors, unofficial transcript, copies of medical or other bills. How to apply: Visit http://theorionfund.org/grants.php.

Social Worker Support
If you are navigating challenging medical care, financial, and other situations, you can receive advice at no cost from a UCSB social worker. They can help identify your needs, recommend resources, and work with you on a plan of action. Social workers are available to students for one quarter after they have withdrawn from UCSB, and will assist with the transition to community resources. To schedule an appointment, call (805) 893-3087.

St. Cecilia Society
St. Cecilia Society is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to help residents of Santa Barbara County who are in financial need to fund their unmet medical expenses, including diagnostic testing, prescription medications, mental health care, dental care, hearing aids, or other medical devices, in addition to paying for hospital stays and physician care. For more information, visit www.stceciliasociety.org/Home.html, email stceciliasb@gmail.com, or schedule an appointment with a UCSB social worker at (805) 893-3087 to discuss your situation and request assistance.

Student Health – Health Insurance Information
For questions about UCSB’s student health insurance, visit the Student Health website at http://studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu, or call the Student Health Insurance Office at (805) 893-2592. You can also send a confidential email to this office through the Student Health website.

“The Jack Canfield Chicken Soup for the Soul” Student Medical Emergency Relief Fund (SMERF)
This fund provides grants to students with expenses related to medical, dental, psychological, and optical emergencies. For the purposes of this fund, a medical emergency is a condition, injury, or illness that poses a risk to a person’s life, long-term health, or well-being and requires timely intervention. Prescription or medical care costs related to ongoing, non-emergency conditions are therefore not covered. In addition, grants are awarded only for medical bills not yet paid. SMERF is for students who were registered at the time of their medical emergency and have exhausted all other resources. EOP students should check with EOP before applying for SMERF. Maximum grant amount: $3,500. Turnaround time: Once the student meets with the committee, 48 hours for a decision. Required documentation: Online application; unpaid medical bills; additional supporting documents upon request. How to Apply: Fill out an online application at www.sa.ucsb.edu/smerf.