Homeschool benefits and savings in the Santa Barbara Community College District
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) waives its $46-per-unit enrollment fee for dual enrollment students in grades 9-12, worth up to $506 a term at the 11-unit cap. Homeschooled students qualify by giving SBCC a copy of the family's California Private School Affidavit, and they still pay the health and transportation fees for campus and online classes.
Santa Barbara City College homeschool dual enrollment
Who qualifies
In grades 9-12
SBCC's dual enrollment program is for eligible 9th through 12th graders who are still in high school, including homeschool students.
Files a Private School Affidavit
Homeschool families submit a copy of their Private School Affidavit, the form California Education Code Section 33190 requires private schools to file online every year.
Takes 11 units or fewer
The waiver covers up to 11 college units in the fall, spring, and summer terms. Your student loses the waiver and pays the per-unit fee for all 12 or more units, not just the units over 11.
Has parent consent and term approval
A parent or guardian signs the consent form once, and your student submits a new Approval for Registration form every term.
What the fee waiver saves
SBCC charges California residents $46 per unit for 2026-27, and dual enrollment students under 12 units do not pay it.
- One 3-unit class
- $138
- One 4-unit class
- $184
- Two classes (7 units)
- $322
- The 11-unit cap
- $506
- 12 units (over the cap)
- None, you pay $552
Campus and online students pay a $28 health fee and a $31 or $32 transportation fee each fall and spring term, up to $60 in all, plus a $2 representation fee and an $8 activity pass that you can opt out of in the first two weeks.
From applying to registering
- Before you apply
File your affidavit
Make sure this year's Private School Affidavit is filed so you can send SBCC a copy.
- From July 1 for fall
Apply through CCCApply
Applying to SBCC is free. Allow up to 72 hours for portal access, then create your MySBCC account.
- Once
Parent consent
Start the Parent/Guardian Consent Form in the student portal, and you receive a link to sign it.
- Every term
Get courses approved
Submit the Approval for Registration form (Etrieve form #158). Staff process it by hand, so allow up to five business days, and send prerequisite clearance if a course needs it.
- At registration
Register and pay fees
Register on the MySBCC dashboard. The enrollment fee is waived, and you pay the health and transportation fees, books, and materials.
What it pays for
Covered
- The $46-per-unit enrollment fee
- Campus, online, and off-campus courses
- Up to 11 units each fall, spring, and summer
Not covered
- Health fee
- Transportation fee
- Books and course materials
- Course material special fees
- Any unit when your student takes 12 or more
The waiver only removes the per-unit enrollment fee; students on campus or online still pay the health and transportation fees, and everything stops being waived at 12 units.
Who to contact
The Dual Enrollment office answers questions about eligibility, forms, and course approvals for high school and homeschool students.
dualenrollment@sbcc.edu 805-898-8170 Contact page
Allan Hancock high-school enrichment
Who qualifies
Is a high school student
High School Enrichment is for students currently in high school. Students in grades K-8 must also file a K-8 appeal with extra documentation.
Sends the homeschool affidavit
Homeschool students attach a copy of the homeschool affidavit and the Certification and Designation of Signatories form to the petition.
Has a 2.0 GPA
Allan Hancock College (AHC) requires a minimum 2.0 GPA, and students below it can appeal.
Stays at 11 units or fewer
A student approved for 12 or more units loses the waiver and pays all fees for the term.
What it is worth
Allan Hancock College charges California residents a $46 enrollment fee per unit.
- One 3-unit class
- $138
- Two 3-unit classes (6 units)
- $276
- Full enrichment load (11 units)
- $506
- Fall and spring at 11 units each
- $1,012
- Health fee you still pay, fall or spring
- $28
The health fee is $22 for summer and winter terms, rising to $23 starting winter 2027, and parking and books are also on you.
From applying to keeping it
- Before the term
Apply to AHC
Submit the online application and choose "Enrolling in high school and college at the same time" as the college enrollment status.
- At least 2 weeks before the term
Email the petition
After you get an AHC student ID, send the High School Enrichment Petition, signed by your student, a parent, and the principal or designee, with the homeschool documents as a PDF to dualenrollment@hancockcollege.edu. Winter 2027 petitions are due December 11, 2026.
- 7 to 10 business days later
Get approved
The college processes petitions in 7 to 10 business days, then your student can register.
- Registration window
Register and pay fees
Register in the myHancock portal, then pay the remaining fees online. An unpaid balance places a hold that blocks future registration.
What it pays for
Covered
- The $46-a-unit enrollment fee
- Up to 11 units a semester
- Fall, winter, spring, and summer terms
Not covered
- Textbooks and course materials
- Health Supervision and Services Fee
- Parking fee
- Student Body Center fee at the Santa Maria campus
- All fees once a student takes 12 or more units
Good to know
Your designated signatory signs as principal
The person named on your Certification and Designation of Signatories form signs as principal; that form records your home school's signers.
Who to contact
Admissions and Records handles High School Enrichment petitions and answers dual enrollment questions at extension 3248.
dualenrollment@hancockcollege.edu 805-922-6966 Dual enrollment page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in California
For the home-based private-school pathway, file the Private School Affidavit during the October 1–15 annual filing period. New schools may use the online filing system during its separate August 1–June 30 opening window. Other legal pathways have their own rules.
California sets these rules:
- Subjects: The private-school pathway must provide instruction in English in the branches of study required for public schools; the parent chooses the materials and course sequence.
- Testing: California does not impose a statewide standardized-testing requirement on private-school students.
- Records: Private schools must keep the records required by California law, including attendance and faculty information.
- Teachers: Private-school instructors must be capable of teaching; California does not issue a separate homeschool-parent credential.
Read the California homeschooling guide See statewide programs in California
Questions parents ask
- What happens if my student signs up for 12 units at SBCC?
- Your student can still ask to be considered for a California College Promise Grant, formerly the BOG fee waiver.
- Which SBCC classes are off limits?
- Remedial courses numbered 1-100, courses reserved for Disabled Students Programs and Services, and Honors Program courses are restricted. Some courses have age rules, such as 17 for Health 101 and 18 for EMT.
- Can my student take Allan Hancock classes online?
- Yes. High School Enrichment courses are offered on the Allan Hancock campus or online in fall, winter, spring, and summer.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
College classes can cover part of high school. We teach the subjects your child needs alongside them, starting at the right level in each subject.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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