The Access ID is the official identification of UC Santa Barbara. It is issued to all members of the school community and is required for identification and access to essential campus services. It also offers a convenient account for making purchases on and off campus. All students, faculty, and staff at the University are currently eligible to receive an Access ID.
Starting Fall 2023, new Freshmen will follow the Access Mobile ID instructions. For new Transfer students, they will receive their card when they arrive to campus. Otherwise, cards are issued by the Access and Information Desk located in the University Center for staff and faculty. Hours of operation are M-F 10am–4pm during the academic year, and M-F 10am–2pm during the summer.
If you have a physical card, do not store your card in a wallet or near other credit and bank cards. It demagnetizes the card and it will no longer work.
Go to the Account Center to immediately deactivate your card. To obtain a new card, go to the Access and Information Desk located in the University Center. Hours of operation are M–F 10am–4pm during the academic year, and M–F 10am–2pm during the summer. There is a $30 lost card replacement fee.
Your Student ID Number is located on the front of your Access Card, and is your Perm number.
Your Gaucho Bucks number is located on the front of your Access Card and is the same as your Perm number.
The UCSB Access Card enables students to access two separate accounts: Gaucho Bucks and Meal Plan dollars. Each account must be funded prior to use and has unique rules for acceptance and the rollover of funds..
Gaucho Bucks is a cashless, prepaid spending account on your Access ID that is accepted on and off the U.C. Santa Barbara campus. You must add value to your account before using Gaucho Bucks to make purchases and have sufficient value available in your account to pay for each transaction. Every time you use your Gaucho Bucks account, the amount of the transaction will be deducted from your account and you may not spend more value than you have. Unused balances roll over quarter to quarter and year to year.
Funds transferred by debit/credit card and cash are available instantly.
Gaucho Bucks can be used at many campus locations and at off campus businesses. For a complete list of accepting locations go to Accepting Locations.
At retail locations, Gaucho Bucks works much like a debit or credit card. Just present your Access ID for payment to the attendant at the register. Your ID will be read in a terminal and the transaction authorized. You may be asked to sign a printed receipt of the approved transaction. At self-service locations, simply insert your card or tap your ID in the terminal.
Go to the Account Center. Under the Login button, click “Forgot your username or password?” and follow the instructions.
Yes, it is secured via 128 Bit SSL Encryption so you can manage your account with confidence.
The Terms and Conditions outline program policies and terms of use for the Access ID. They are available for review via a link in the footer of every page on this site.
You may receive a refund of your Gaucho Bucks account balance when you graduate, withdraw or leave UCSB. Proof of withdrawal or dismissal is required. Refund requests must be submitted in writing to the school’s card program service provider by emailing ucen-access@ucsb.edu. There is a $15 administrative fee for a refund of Gaucho Bucks.
If you are denied access please report the problem with your Access ID, via this Google Form.
For all initial inquiries, please contact ucen-access@ucsb.edu with your contact information and perm number.