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Emergency Support & Loans

Emergencies come up and we want to be able to help. Emergency loans are available to UCSB employees who have an immediate need for funds as the result of an emergency and have no other source of money available within the time necessary to act, or who have a dire personal financial hardship. Additional Public Assistance resources are also listed below.

The University has contracted with two credit unions to provide emergency loans.  Please use the online tools at the following websites to apply for an emergency loan.

University Credit Union

(800) 828-4510
https://www.ucu.org/Borrow

USE Credit Union

(886) 873-4968
loancenter@usecu.org
https://www.usecu.org/emergency-loan/

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Get connected. Get answers. Resources for public assistance and benefits, money management and income tax preparation.

Public Assistance & Benefits

Money Management

Income Tax Preparation

CalFresh

CalFresh is a supplemental program that helps limited-income individuals and families buy the food they need in order to stay healthy. Monthly benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that works just like a bank debit card to buy food at most grocery stores and markets (including all Santa Barbara Farmers Markets).

Santa Barbara Farmers Markets offer EBT Tokens at the market information booth. As of this writing (June 21, 2022) they will match up to the first $10 in EBT tokens purchased per market day ($10 transaction = $20 in tokens to spend on fresh fruits and veggies!).

Who is eligible for CalFresh? Generally, households must have gross income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) and net income (after certain deductions) below 100% of FPG. You must be a citizen or legal resident to receive CalFresh (undocumented individuals are not eligible, but can apply for their children if the children are legal residents or citizens).

There are many myths about CalFresh eligibility for certain populations. If you are a student, senior citizen, immigrant, or former foster youth, please don't assume that you can't qualify: talk to us, or check out these fact sheets (double-sided English/Spanish).

How can I apply? You can apply online (it's fast and easy), visit one of our offices or outstations (see below), call our toll-free automated phone number (1-866-404-4007). We determine eligibility based on the information you provide on your CalFresh application and any required verifications. You may request expedited (faster) service in certain emergency circumstances (such as little or no cash, and/or emergency need for housing).

Apply Now

Paying for Education

ScholarShare:
California’s 529 College Savings Plan

Whether your child or loved one is a newborn or entering high school, ScholarShare can help you achieve your college savings goals.

Plan advantages include:

  • State and federal income tax deferral on any earnings
  • Withdrawals for qualified higher education expenses are state and federal income tax free
  • For use at many schools nationwide and abroad — undergraduate and graduate programs, community colleges and trade schools
  • Low minimum contribution of just $25 and a high maximum account balance
  • A low, annual asset-based fee and no annual account maintenance fees

  • Family and friends may contribute

For more information or to enroll contact ScholarShare:
ScholarShare website
Customer Service: 1-800-544-5248

UC enrollment/payroll deduction form

UCSB Extension Discounts

Employee discounts on course fees for Extension courses are provided to University staff and faculty in order to encourage campus employee development and foster closer relationships between Extension and other UCSB campus units.

Employee discounts on professional course fees and academic courses offered by main campus are provided to university staff and faculty in order to encourage campus employee professional and personal development.

UCSB faculty and staff who are employed at least 50% time in career positions are eligible to receive a 25% discount. In addition, spouses, domestic partners (as defined by UCSB for employee benefits), parents, and children of eligible faculty and staff may receive a 15% discount. Discounts must be requested at the time of enrollment (a copy of the staff ID card must accompany the enrollment), and will not be applied retroactively. Self-enrollment is not available to students wishing to use this discount. In order to receive the UCSB employee discount, the following must occur:

  1. Faculty and staff must provide proof of eligibility by sending a copy of a current UCSB staff card and a photo ID to help@professional.ucsb.edu. A member of our Customer Support Team will then contact you to assist with enrollment and payment.
  2. Departments paying fees through a recharge must contact UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) to confirm the Department recharge account and the person authorizing the recharge prior to enrollment.

UC employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. 

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program is a federal program created for those in public service jobs, offering the opportunity to have their federal loan balances forgiven after 120 qualifying monthly payments.

The University of California is a qualified employer for the PSLF program. Generally, many full-time UC employees who otherwise qualify may be eligible to apply their months of employment towards PSLF.

Important changes to the PSLF Program

The Department of Education has announced a set of actions to help more people take advantage of the PSLF, including a time-limited waiver so that student borrowers can count payments from all federal loan programs or repayment plans toward forgiveness. This includes loan types and payment plans that were not previously eligible. The Department of Education will pursue opportunities to automate PSLF eligibility, give borrowers a way to get errors corrected and make it easier for members of the military to get credit toward forgiveness while they serve. 

The waiver will run through October 31, 2022. That means borrowers who need to consolidate will have to submit a consolidation application by that date. Similarly, borrowers will need to submit a PSLF form—the single application used for a review of employment certification, payment counts, and processing of forgiveness—on or before October 31, 2022, to have previously ineligible payments counted.

The Department recommends borrowers take this action through the online PSLF Help Tool, which is available at StudentAid.gov/PSLF.

How do I obtain the employer information and signatures I need?

  1. Complete Sections 1 and 2 of the PSLF Employment Certification FormPDF or the PSLF Application for ForgivenessPDF.
  2. Submit the form to the UCPath Center for completion of Sections 3 and 4:
    • Submit written requests by fax to (855) 982-2329 or by email to ucpath@universityofcalifornia.edu. Or submit your request online through your UCPath account:
      • Step 1: Click Submit An Inquiry
      • Step 2: Select Topic: Human Resources
      • Step 3: Select Category: Human Resources Inquiry
      • Step 4: Enter your Subject
      • Step 5: Enter your Description
      • Step 6: Verify Best Contact Number and Email
      • Step 7: Click Submit
    • There is a five (5) day turnaround time for requests. Along with your request, please specify how and where to return the form.
  3. Submit the completed form to:

US Department of Education - FedLoan Servicing
P.O. Box 69184
Harrisburg, PA  17106-9184
or FAX to:  (717) 720-1628

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

  • Call FedLoan Servicing at (855) 265-4038

Tuition Discounts

UC supports employees who want to advance their education and offers tuition and fee discounts to those who are eligible. Tuition discounts are not available for certain self-funded academic programs and extension programs. Please contact your location for details before enrolling.

Reduced fees for university classes

Regular status employees who meet the admission requirements of the university are eligible for two-thirds reduction of both the University Registration Fee and the Educational Fee when enrolled in regular session courses of up to nine units or three courses per quarter or semester, whichever provides the greater benefit. If you are eligible to receive reduced fees under this policy, you are not eligible to receive an additional reduction in fees under the Policy and Procedures Concerning Part-Time Study. 

The reduced fee enrollment provision applies to non-represented and most represented employees. Represented employees should consult their bargaining unit's contract for specific information.

This benefit does not apply to University Extension or Summer Session courses.  It also does not provide access to student services and facilities normally provided through the University Registration Fee (such as the Counseling Center, Student Health Services, sports facilities, etc.) unless the employee is otherwise entitled to them.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Career Staff employee (or Staff Retiree entitled to regular retirement benefits).
  • Probation period completed as of the quarter’s Instruction Begin date.
  • Admission as a regular session student to the University of California.
  • Enrolled in no more than three (3) regular session courses or nine (9) units, whichever provides the greater benefit.
  • Reduced Fee Enrollment Application submitted no later than 15 days after instruction begins.
  • Department has approved request.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • This program does NOT apply to Academic, Contract, Limited or Casual/Restricted (student) employees.
  • Employee must be on regular pay status (i.e., NOT on leave without pay).
  • Employees are ONLY eligible for the current quarter (no retroactivity for prior quarters).

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

  1. Employee applies for admission (contact the Admissions Office for information).
  2. Employees login to the HR ServiceNow portal, click on Benefits and submits the Reduced Fee Enrollment Application.
  3. Human Resources determines employee’s eligibility and (if eligible) notifies Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid and the Graduate Division. Human Resources notifies employee of application status.
  4. Registrar’s Office applies 2/3’s reduction to registration and education fees as a credit on employee’s BARC (Billing, Accounts Receivable and Collections) account, which the employee can view on the GOLD (Gauchos On-Line Data) system.

Scholarships may be used for registration and educational fees for courses, training and other learning opportunities offered at UCSB. Examples include undergraduate and graduate courses, Extension courses (including Open Enrollment), UCSB HR Training and Development courses and workshops (e.g. Supervisory Certificate Program courses, Management Development Series, and SkillsMap courses.)

To apply login to the HR ServiceNow portal, click on "Training & Development" and follow the instructions.

Financial Education & Planning

Tips, tools and resources to help you manage your financial life

These classes help you learn about your UC retirement benefits and managing your financial life—from everyday money matters to growing and protecting the life you've built. Select a class to read a description.

Save for the future

Learn how to make room in your budget or save for non-retirement goals:

Investing tips and strategies

Understand how to invest for the long term: 

Managing life's money matters

Get tips and resources to help you get in better financial shape:

Learn what to consider if you're thinking about retirement, or already there:

Preparing for Retirement and The UC Retirement Process webinars

Visit UCnet's When You're Ready to Retire page to access Preparing for Retirement and The UC Retirement Process webinar schedules and helpful resources.

LEARN MORE

Pathway to Retirement events

Join UC's comprehensive retirement education "virtual" seminar for your campus location.

United for Financial Empowerment delivers bilingual, high quality, community based financial literacy education to family and student audiences. UFFE provides financial literacy classes through workshops and financial literacy fairs. The website also includes several links to financial literacy online. 

UFFE is working hard to build awareness in the community of these services that are available to low and moderate income families.

 

Employee Discounts

https://www.hr.ucsb.edu/hr-units/employee-discounts

If you find that a discount is no longer offered or the reference information has changed, please notify: Debbie.Hudgens@hr.ucsb.edu. If an organization/company would like to provide a discount to all UCSB employees, please complete and submit this form.

As a service to the UCOP community, the University provides the opportunity for companies to publicize available discounts to University of California employees. Although the university reviews all discounts posted, there may be changes or deletions without notice. The university reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to edit listings and refuse those listings it deems inappropriate for this service or which do not support the university policies. The university does not investigate, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of any discount, the quality of the product listed, or the listed companies. Users of this service communicate and contract with each other individually and at their own risk. The Regents, officers, agents, and employees of the University of California shall not be liable for any actions occurring as a result of arrangements made between users of this service or for any errors or omissions made in compilation or print of the discounts.

http://ucop.edu/local-human-resources/op-life/employee-discounts/index.html

As a service to the UCOP community, the University provides the opportunity for companies to publicize available discounts to University of California employees. Although the university reviews all discounts posted, there may be changes or deletions without notice. The university reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to edit listings and refuse those listings it deems inappropriate for this service or which do not support the university policies. The university does not investigate, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of any discount, the quality of the product listed, or the listed companies. Users of this service communicate and contract with each other individually and at their own risk. The Regents, officers, agents, and employees of the University of California shall not be liable for any actions occurring as a result of arrangements made between users of this service or for any errors or omissions made in compilation or print of the discounts.