Coming soon — changes to Google Cloud payment options

UCSB has updated its approach to purchasing paid cloud services from Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. The Azure change took effect in January; the matching change for Google Cloud takes effect on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

In both cases, new paid subscriptions and projects can no longer be set up with a personal or departmental credit card. New paid accounts must now go through the campus Gateway procurement process described at docs.cloud.ucsb.edu/getting-started. These campus agreements offer better pricing, give departments a clearer view of cloud spending, and protect users from unexpected charges on individual cards. Existing Azure subscriptions and existing funded Google Cloud projects are not affected.

Free options are still available. Students can sign up for Azure for Students at no cost. Any ucsb.edu user can create a free sandbox project in Google Cloud for exploration or for free tools like Apps Script. One important change affecting instructors: Google's $300 new-account credit can no longer be activated with a ucsb.edu email. For coursework or research, faculty should look at the campus Research Credits and Teaching Credits program instead.

Google Cloud is also adding security improvements, including simpler default networking and restrictions on publicly accessible storage. Full details are at docs.cloud.ucsb.edu/docs/gcp.

Questions? Contact the Campus Cloud Team at info@cloud.ucsb.edu.