SBCC Foundation

Every Scholarship Changes a Life

Each year, the SBCC Foundation awards more than $1 million in scholarships and book grants to students at Santa Barbara City College—made possible entirely through the generosity of our community.

Establishing a named scholarship is one of the most meaningful ways to make a lasting impact. It is a powerful, flexible opportunity to support students while honoring your values, passions, or loved ones.

For many students, a scholarship is more than financial support—it is a turning point. It can ease the burden of college costs, affirm a student’s hard work, and open doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach. A single act of generosity can truly transform a life’s path.

While hundreds of scholarships are awarded each year, only about one-third of applicants receive funding. The need continues to grow across all programs and student populations.

Your support helps close that gap—expanding access, opportunity, and success for SBCC students today and for generations to come.

Learn How to Fund a Scholarship

Every Scholarship Changes a Life

“What Does It Cost to Fund a Scholarship?”

Average Enrollment Cost

Enrollment Fee (All Students)$46/unit

Out of State Tuition$361/unit

International Tuition$361/unit

Health Fee$26/sem / $22 Summer

Student Activity Pass$8/sem

Student Representation Fee$2/sem / $2 Summer

Total Range*$2,852–$13,240

*Based on 14 units, the average number of units carried by a full-time student

Annual Scholarship

Minimum Scholarship Award$1,500

Administrative Fee (10%)$150

Yearly Donation$1,650

Time Commitment5 years

Total Minimum Donation*$8,250

*Annual operational & investment management fee is 1.5%

Endowed Scholarship

Amount to Invest$39,750

Administrative Fee (5%)$2,250

First 2 Years of Awards$3,000

Total Minimum Donation*$45,000

*Annual operational and investment management fee is 1.5%.

Creating a named scholarship is one of the most personal gifts you can make. Honoring a loved one, celebrating an achievement, or investing in the next generation of your community. We’ll work with you so your gift reaches exactly the students you care about most.

Download the form below or reach out directly to Caitlin Weber, she’d love to hear your story.

Scholarship Categories

General Scholarships

Open to the entire SBCC student body. Any enrolled student may apply for these regardless of major or department.

Cross-Discipline Scholarships

Restricted to students within a particular field of study like STEM or the Humanities.

Department Scholarships

Restricted to students within a specific major or department.

Working with the Foundation, the donor may determine requirements for GPA, unit load, financial need, department, major, or program of study, time at SBCC, and other characteristics that guide the scholarship selection committees to properly award the scholarship. We work with the donor to craft award language to maximize student success and donor intent.

Scholarship Facts

The Annual Scholarship Application is available online to students from the first week of March to the end of April. Applicants are electronically matched to scholarships for which they qualify.

Scholarship review committees made up of faculty, staff, Board of Directors of SBCC Foundation and administration review and rank student applications. Students are notified of selections by mid-May.

All selection information is submitted to the SBCC Financial Aid Office, which manages the disbursement of scholarship funds.