Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara

Applications for 2027–2028 Scholarships Now Being Accepted!

Why We Are Committed to Helping Students Countywide

SCBT Awards Ceremony Raises Record Sum for Scholarships

Photos From This Year’s Scholarship Awards Ceremonies!

Additional Resources for Area Families

Our Application Process is User-Friendly!

Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara

Creating opportunity, transforming lives…one scholarship at a time

of Foundation recipients graduate within 6 years

0 %

of our recipients are first-generation students

0 %

of our recipients are Pell Grant-eligible students

0 %

in college scholarships awarded in 2026

$ 0 +Million

awarded scholarships in 2026

0 students

Student Story

Student Story

Edgar Olozagaste

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

With support from the Scholarship Foundation, this promising young student is taking his interest in computers to another level

Featured News

Kara Hornbuckle

Hornbuckle Named Foundation Chief Development Officer

October 22, 2026

Kara Hornbuckle, a former school counselor who went on to enjoy success heading up philanthropic outreach

Foundation Receives 14th Consecutive 4-Star Rating

October 12, 2026

The Scholarship Foundation has received its 14th consecutive four-star rating from nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator. The

Partner Spotlight

Partners in Education

Partners in Education

The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara has forged an enduring collaboration with Partners in Education. The two organizations regularly co-host

Assisstance League pic scaled

Community Friends of Santa Barbara

Community Friends (formerly Assistance League) of Santa Barbara has been a potent force for good countywide for three-quarters of a

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Nov 13

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Students: Sunday is the FINAL DAY to apply for 2027-2028 Honors and Art Scholarships. Apply now!

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Nov 12

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November is National Scholarship Month. We salute our peer organizations nationwide doing impactful work in their communities. Most of all, we salute and thank our many generous community partners right here in Santa Barbara County. We could not do what we do without you! On behalf of the thousands of students we support each and every year as a direct result of your philanthropy, thank you!!

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Nov 11

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Attention, local student artists and academic all-stars: November 15 is the deadline to apply for 2027-28 art and honors scholarships. Complete information is available on our website, www.sbscholarship.org. Pictured here is last year's South County best of show art scholarship winner Scarlett Ramirez.

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Nov 6

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Congratulations to our own Jose Olvera on his appointment to Allan Hancock College's Foster Youth Advisory Committee! A Scholarship Foundation program advisor for more than 10 years, Jose has touched countless lives in the Santa Maria area and beyond, and is a true community rock star. Way to go, sir!

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Nov 3

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Are you knowledgeable about college financial aid, and seeking meaningful work sharing that knowledge with local students and families? If so, we have a position for you! The Scholarship Foundation seeks an organized, outgoing individual to serve as a South County program advisor. Based in Santa Barbara, the incumbent will conduct student outreach and advising activities throughout Southern Santa Barbara County as directed by our chief programs officer. This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Come be part of an amazing team! www.sbscholarship.org/careers

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Oct 29

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These workshops will take place November 16 and 18 in Guadalupe!

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Oct 28

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Scholarship Foundation Program Advisors Eduardo Coronel and Jose Olvera took part in a career fair last Friday at the Goleta branch of United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County. Their South County-based colleagues Rachael Estrada and Sarahi Larios Cruz have been similarly busy helping local students and families. Our advisors may just be the hardest-working financial aid experts in our region!

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Oct 22

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Meet the über-impressive Kara Hornbuckle, the Scholarship Foundation's new chief development officer, effective November 4: https://tinyurl.com/yckfzf2v. A past Foundation scholarship recipient and a former school counselor, Kara has since distinguished herself as a local philanthropy professional, most recently in her current role as vice president of development and public affairs at Sansum Diabetes Research Institute. We can't wait for her to join our team!

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Oct 20

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Our 2026 annual report is out: https://tinyurl.com/yxhxa7x5. A reminder: This organization is successful to the extent that generous community members support our impactful work. Let's redouble our efforts on behalf of local students. Support the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara today!

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Oct 15

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We are now accepting applications for 2027-28 scholarships! Students, do not wait to apply!

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Oct 14

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Our scholarship application for 2027-2028 opens tomorrow!! January 31 is the deadline for our general and employer scholarship programs. Art and honors scholarship applications must be submitted by November 15.

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Oct 12

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The Scholarship Foundation has received its 14th consecutive four-star rating from Charity Navigator. Our organization is in VERY elite company when it comes to financial efficiency and transparency – just 2 percent of U.S. nonprofits receive 10 consecutive four-star ratings, and we've now received 23 in 24 years! https://tinyurl.com/47at43rj

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Oct 9

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Making it look easy: The bulk of our internally processed fall appeal packets went to the post office today. This is a genuinely massive undertaking, and as is the case each year it all came together seamlessly under the expert guidance of the incomparable Nicole Jones (right). Providing invaluable assistance throughout the process were Alyssa Saavedra (left), Neysa Moncada, Joanna Gonzalez, and Sarahi Larios Cruz. What an extraordinary team! Fantastic work, everyone!

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Oct 7

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We are pleased to report that our television spot is once again airing throughout the region. Our thanks to our local NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX affiliates (KSBY, KEYT, KCOY, and KKFX).

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Oct 5

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A reminder: Scholarship Foundation program advisors have unrivaled expertise on all matters relating to college financial aid. Have questions? Need guidance? Contact a Foundation program advisor today!

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Sep 24

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Sep 22

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Meet Eduardo Coronel, our newest Program Advisor. A native of Santa Maria, Eduardo is a graduate of both Santa Maria High School and Allan Hancock College, and later earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of La Verne. He is passionate about higher education, and in his free time volunteers at the Santa Maria Food Bank. If you're a North County resident and have financial aid questions, seek this man out!

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Sep 18

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We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Norm Habermann. A great friend to our organization and numerous others doing important work in our community, Norm was a Scholarship Foundation Board member for 27 years, serving on various committees. In addition to funding annual SFSB scholarships for nearly 30 years, he and wife Jane became Scholars Circle members in 2008. Their generous philanthropy and advocacy bolstered other educational organizations as well, in addition to area healthcare efforts. In the words of Foundation President and CEO Calen Ouellette, the community has lost a true civic pillar and champion of education. Thank you, Norm. We will miss you. https://tinyurl.com/3szmye2k

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Sep 15

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National Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off today! We couldn't be prouder to acknowledge and recognize the inestimable contributions of our Latino neighbors to the fabric of this wonderfully unique community!

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Sep 11

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Meet new SFSB Board member Kimberly Schizas. A local developer of note and a longtime civic leader, Kimberly has served on a host of area nonprofit boards and public commissions. For the past 30 years, she has been a partner in Wynmark Company, whose projects have included Camino Real Marketplace, Girsh Park, Maravilla senior living community, and the Marriott Courtyard Hotel, all in Goleta. Welcome, Kimberly!

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