I would say why not apply to UCSB/UCLA and compare the financial aid packages and see if you can make the finances work. My two kids that went to UC’s got significantly more money from the UC’s than my daughter who went to SDSU. I also remember the financial aid offer was higher for UCLA than it was for UCSD.
Options to reduce costs at UCLA/UCSB:
- Become an RA, as @warblersrule says, it is competitive, but it would reduce costs tremendously. It would require working hard and maybe joining the residence hall government to make yourself competitive. I think at UCSB they also have private dorms in Isla Vista which probably would need RAs as well. (I am not sure, you would have to research).
- Join a fraternity/sorority. Often "living in" is significantly cheaper than living in an apartment or dorm. I think most sororities at UCLA are pretty full, so I think the girls only live in one year, maybe a max of two. But I imagine a guy might be able to live in for 3 years.
- Outside scholarships. My son that went to UCLA got a couple of outside scholarships. UCLA was quite generous with their financial aid, and did not reduce it because of the outside scholarships (just took away the loans, etc...) and that was enough for us to be able to afford his apartment. And he did share his room in his apartment with 2 other guys which made it affordable, and it wasn't too bad.
- Get an on-campus job to help defray costs.
Good Luck!