Student Health is a fully accredited multi-specialty healthcare center located on campus to provide convenient access to many medical, pharmacy services to enable students to have a healthy and successful University experience. Some services are available at no cost (advice nurses, social workers, and alcohol & drug counselors), while other care is covered by University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP), or available for a fee for students who have waived UC SHIP.
Students who have health questions or need to make an appointment or obtain urgent care services, students may join a Qless line, or login to the Gateway on the Student Health website.
Required Health Insurance
All registered UCSB students are required to have health insurance that meets minimum coverage limits established by the University of California. It is a condition of enrollment AND a non-academic requirement of registration.
UCSB students are automatically enrolled in University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) which includes vision and dental coverage, and access to many Student Health services with no additional charges. Financial Aid awards may include a UC Health Insurance Grant to cover the UC SHIP premium for eligible students. The insurance premium will automatically be included in the quarterly BARC bill. For information about this comprehensive plan, visit the Student Health Insurance webpage.
Students who have adequate private insurance, and do not wish to enroll in UC SHIP, must submit a request for an insurance waiver and receive confirmation that their waiver was successfully granted. Failure to act will result in automatic enrollment in UC SHIP. Students will need to have their private insurance plan information available when submitting the waiver request. Please note that a Financial Aid award may change if a student waives out of UC SHIP. For more information, please review the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship’s Policy Information webpage.
Mandatory Insurance Waiver Periods
| Academic Year Schedule (includes students who are either Full-time, EAP, or NRSP) |
| Fall |
Waiver site opens August 1, 2022 - October 1, 2022
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Waivers submitted between October 2- October 15 will be assessed a $50 late fee
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| Winter |
Waiver site opens on November 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
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Waivers submitted between January 2 - January 15 will be assessed a $50 late fee
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| Spring |
Waiver site opens February 1, 2023 - April 1, 2023
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| Waivers submitted between April 2 - April 15 will be assessed a $50 late fee |
Once a waiver request has been approved, it remains in effect until the beginning of the next academic year if the insurance plan used to waive UC SHIP remains active. UCSB will periodically re-verify a student’s insurance during the academic year.
Students with approved waivers may purchase pre-paid access to many core Student Health services through the Gaucho Access Plan (GAP). More information is available on the GAP webpage.
Entrance Immunizations
All incoming and re-admitted students are required to complete the tuberculosis screening and immunization requirements as noted in the University of California Immunization policy. Failure to comply will result in a registration hold. Students are strongly urged to update their immunizations prior to arriving at UCSB. Incoming students must complete this requirement by following the instructions on the Student Health University Immunization Requirements webpage.
Students will need to upload their immunization record(s) and enter their vaccination dates. They will also need to complete a Tuberculosis screening questionnaire and/or submit a recent Tuberculosis test(s) (blood test, skin test or chest x-ray). The result must be dated within 1 year of UC entry (see Student Health University Immunization Requirements webpage).
TB tests and immunizations may be obtained at Student Health. Vaccinations are fully covered for students who have an active UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP). Those who do not have UCSHIP will be charged a fee.
Failure to comply with the Entrance Immunization requirements will result in a registration block for the second registration period. Example: a Fall student will be blocked for Winter quarter registration.
Note: If there are any changes due to COVID-19 students will be notified via email.
Pre-participation Athletic Physicals are required for all intercollegiate athletes and Sport Club members, and must be completed at Student Health. These will be arranged by the Intercollegiate Athletics Department and the Recreation Department.
Medical Services For Enrolled Students
We are located across from the Events Center, at the edge of Isla Vista, making it easy to access healthcare on campus.
We offer full-service primary care as well as specialty care. See the Student Health website for a complete list of services available and office hours.