UC Santa Barbara

The University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) program is designed to engage and educate California's future leaders by preparing promising students for advanced education in science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM). UC LEADS is designed to identify upper-division UCSB undergraduate students with the potential to succeed in these disciplines, but who have experienced situations or conditions that have adversely impacted their advancement in their field of study.

Once chosen to participate in UC LEADS, Scholars embark upon a two-year program of scientific research and graduate school preparation guided by individual Faculty Mentors. Scholars are provided with an excellent opportunity to explore their discipline, experience a research environment, and improve their opportunities for future study in their chosen field. The Scholars gain valuable educational experience from the University, and are better prepared and more diverse graduate applicant pool, and the State, well-educated future leaders.

At UCSB, UC LEADS is housed in the Graduate Division. For more information about the UC LEADS program at UCSB, please see the program website:  http://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/admissions/outreach/uc-leads.  

Application Fee Waivers

Fee waivers are available for UC LEADS Scholars.

To apply for a fee waiver begin an online application at www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp.   Within your application click on the Payment Information tab and scroll-down to the fee waiver information.  Submit your request online by selecting the option relevant to you and uploading your supporting documentation. You must submit your fee waiver request at least two weeks before the application deadline. Do not submit a fee waiver request the day before the application deadline, it will not be processed and your application will not be reviewed.

For more information about fee waivers, please see: http://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/admissions/how-to-apply#application-fee.

Undocumented Student Services

At UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), Undocumented Student Services (USS) provides various programs, services, and resources designed for students from undocumented, mixed status, and refugee backgrounds. We work alongside campus partners to increase students' access to equitable educational opportunities that support their academic, professional, and personal growth. We believe in the power and potential of the immigration impacted community and are here to work with and for students so they can thrive at UCSB. USS is a welcoming space for all students and allies.

For more information about the UCSB Undocumented Student Services office, please visit https://uss.sa.ucsb.edu/