Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara Opening Soon

Offered by Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara

Award

$1,000–$10,000

Applications Open

Oct 15, 2026

Deadline

Jan 31, 2027

Grade Level

High School Senior, College Student, Graduate Student

Essay

Required

About This Scholarship

The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara is the leading provider of college scholarships in Santa Barbara County, awarding over $6 million to students in 2026 alone. In recent cycles, 100% of its recipients have been first-generation college students and 100% Pell Grant-eligible, reflecting the program's deep commitment to students with financial need.

Eligibility centers on local roots: applicants must have attended school in Santa Barbara County for at least four of the six years between grades 7 and 12, graduate or receive a GED from a county high school, be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or AB 540-eligible, and plan to attend a Title IV-approved postsecondary institution full time.

The application for the 2027-28 academic year opens October 15, with general scholarship applications due January 31. Art program and South County Honors applications are due earlier, on November 15. Students apply through the foundation's own online portal.

Eligibility

Attended school in Santa Barbara County for at least four of the six years between grades 7 and 12
Graduate or receive a GED from a Santa Barbara County high school
U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or AB 540-eligible
Plan to attend a Title IV-approved postsecondary institution full time
Remain in good academic standing and make timely progress toward a degree or certificate

How To Apply

Create an account at sbscholarship.org when the 2027-28 application opens October 15, 2026
Complete the online application; art program and South County Honors applications are due November 15
Submit general scholarship applications by January 31

Apply Now →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara need-based?

Financial need is central to the program. In recent cycles, all recipients have been Pell Grant-eligible and first-generation college students.

Can college and graduate students apply?

Yes. The foundation supports undergraduate, graduate, and vocational students who meet its Santa Barbara County schooling and residency requirements.

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Our Scholarship Standards

A listing here means our team checked that the award is real, currently active, and actually pays out. We won't list a scholarship that:

Charges any kind of fee to apply
Makes you join a paid membership, or sign up for an app or service, just to be eligible
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Collects essays, ideas, or contact details mainly to feed the sponsor's marketing
Can't show a winner from the past 12 months, or offers no way to reach the sponsor

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