What is Transfer Parent & Family Orientation?
Parent & Family Orientation takes place alongside the Transfer Student Orientation program and empowers you to become informed partners in your student's success!
Become a UCSB Resource Expert
Explore the holistic support systems that define the UCSB experience. Dive deep into specialized resources for transfer students and unique populations to ensure you have the tools to support your student every step of the way.
Experience Campus Culture
Immerse yourself in the UCSB environment through campus tours and various dining options to feel more connected to the Gaucho community. Experience firsthand the atmosphere, culture, and community spirit that will support your student's success.
Navigate the Family Transition Together
Gain a deeper understanding of the specific academic expectations and social shifts unique to the transfer experience. Develop personalized strategies to provide meaningful support from home, ensuring both you and your student navigate this new chapter with confidence and clarity.
While Orientation is optional, it provides an invaluable head start for a successful college career, with approximately 85% of transfer students choosing to attend. Although parent and family participation is not required, joining your student allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the UCSB experience and the journey ahead.
Parent & Family Transfer Orientation Program Schedule
The following is an unofficial program overview for Parent & Family Orientation alongside the Transfer Orientation program. Your official Orientation schedule will be provided at Check-In.
- 8:00 - 9:15am Check-In +
- Receive program materials.
- Experience campus tours including a Library Tour and General Campus Tours that depart at varying times.
- 9:15 - 9:45am Welcome Assembly & Dean's Address +
- 10:00 - 10:50am Breakout Sessions +
- Sessions held relating to multiple campus resources: College Meetings, Campus Learning Assistance Services, Education Abroad Program, Basic Needs.
- 11:00 - 11:50am Breakout Sessions +
- Sessions held relating to multiple campus resources: College of Letters and Science, Recreation, Career Services.
- 12:00 - 1:20pm Resource Fair & Lunch on Your Own +
- Connected with over 25 campus departments at the resource fair while you enjoy lunch from one of the many eateries at UCSB or in Isla Vista
- 1:30 - 2:30pm Your Transfer Student's First Year
- Learn strategies to support your student and yourself through the academic, financial, and social transition to UCSB
- 2:00 - 4:00pm Transfer Student Center Open House +
- Tour the Transfer Student Center and learn about the services offered and see the cozy space dedicated to transfer students.
- 3:30 - 4:30pm Education Opportunity Program Meeting +
- All EOP participants and their families are encouraged to learn more about EOP resources and services designed to help ease the transition to UCSB and promote success.
Reminder: These times are approximations. Times will vary slightly for online sessions. Always refer to your official program schedule or email communication from Orientation Programs for exact times.
+ Activities where parents and students are together. See Transfer Orientation Program Information page on this website for Transfer Student Program Overview.
2025 Transfer Parent & Family Orientation Session Dates
Summer 2026 Program Dates will be updated in April 2026
Because the Parent & Family Orientation Program runs alongside the Transfer Orientation sessions, the dates for the two programs are the same.
Your student will add you as guest(s) in the Parent & Family Orientation Program when they reserve their Transfer Orientation session date. If you are not sure if you will be able to attend, your student can reserve their space in an Orientation session and sign in later to add you as a guest.
Overnight Options for Transfer Orientation
Transfer students and guests must make their own overnight accommodations for before and/or after your Orientation session
Transfer students and transfer student families can reserve space before or after their Orientation session through university-owned or independent lodging options.
San Joaquin Villages, the Summer Inn, and The Club And Guest House offer overnight reservations open to the public. All locations are conveniently located near UCSB!
The Hotels and Lodging section of our website contains a list of hotels in the surrounding areas of Goleta and Santa Barbara. Quick disclaimer: UCSB does not specifically endorse or have any formal affiliation with any of the hotels listed.
Fees & Billing
Summer 2026 Program Fees will be updated in April 2026
2025 Transfer Parent & Family Program Fees
- 1-Day Parent & Family Program: $29
Orientation Programs is a self-supported department funded 100% by program fees; no state or campus funding is provided to offset the costs of the program. In addition to covering staff salaries and programmatic expenses, the orientation fee covers the cost of all new student education requirements and courses designed to introduce new students to the University.
Billing Information
Program fees for all participants will be billed in the Fall on the student's UCSB BARC billing statement. Students are required to pay the full amount of fees for all participants, including parents and family, who attended UCSB's Orientation Program. Fee payment deadlines will be noted on the BARC statement. Fees are assessed per person.
Orientation fees are ONLY billed through a student's UCSB BARC statement for Fall quarter. We do not accept check, credit or debit card payments directly to our department.
Financial Assistance
If financial concerns are keeping you or your student from participating in Orientation, please consider the following:
- No payment is due when you make a reservation, students won't be charged until late August through your Fall BARC billing statement along with all other UCSB tuition and fees.
- UCSB offers a payment plan for quarterly fees and charges. See the UCSB Billing website for information about whether a payment plan would be helpful to you.
- UCSB Orientation Programs offers a limited number of fee reductions. Fee reductions are available to eligible students from families with an annual income of $45,000 or less. These are awarded based on need and in the order we receive applications under funds and depleted.
- Fee reduction applications will not be processed if it is not connected to an Orientation reservation. You must reserve your space in an Orientation session for your fee reduction application to be considered. There is no payment due when you make a reservation.