California State University (CSU) Information/Updates -Application opens October 1st

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I completed my CSU application, now what? What is my application status?

Students will receive an email from the campus(es) they applied to with login information to setup a personalized portal. They should regularly check both their emails and student portals.

I need to make a correction or update on my application, how do I update it?

Once a student submits their application, no changes can be made. They need to contact the campus(es) where they applied to report the update/correction. Campuses will need to change it in their system.

New CSU website for Fall 2023 SAT/ACT updates

The CSU Office of the Chancellor has published a web site to highlight updates and information regarding the discontinuation of the use of standardized test scores in undergraduate admissions. Visit Undergraduate Admissions and Standardized Tests | CSU (calstate.edu) to view key updates and FAQs.

*No ACT/SAT Test scores are needed for admission for Fall 2022 but will be used for class placement purposes only*

**Minimum GPA for CA Residents is a 2.5; Minimum GPA for non-CA residents is a 3.0**

***Cost to apply is $70 per campus unless student qualifies for fee waiver.***

California State University, Bakersfield
California State University Channel Islands*
California State University, Chico
California State University, Dominguez Hills
California State University, East Bay
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fullerton
Humboldt State University
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University Maritime Academy
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Northridge
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona**
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, San Bernardino
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
San José State University
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
California State University San Marcos*
Sonoma State University
California State University, Stanislaus

Nursing Pathway Program Expands at the CSU

CSU campuses are cutting the time it takes for community college students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Ten CSU campuses are now offering the ADN-to-BSN program to make the path to earning a BSN more streamlined by removing unnecessary time and costs for students to become workforce-ready. Click here to read more.

Top FAQs from Applicants

Are you receiving the same questions as Cal State Apply Customer Service? Please see the current top applicant questions and their answers below.

Why isn’t my program showing up?

Applicants should double check their answers in the 'degree goal' section in their Extended Profile. They should also be sure to login to the correct Fall 2022 Cal State Apply application cycle, not Spring 2022.

Why wasn’t I awarded a fee waiver?

Application fee waivers and appeals are provided only to undergraduate first-time freshman and transfer applicants who qualify and consider California their permanent home. Information on fee waiver requirements are on the CSU Application Fee Waiver page and the Cal State Apply Fee Waivers page on Cal State Apply Help Center.

Why does it say I am not meeting the requirements for the A-G?

There are several reasons why this warning may appear. Applicants may have too many years listed or may have to manually add or match a year. If none of these apply, students should verify their A-G requirements with their counselor.

Why aren’t my courses automatically populating when I start typing them?

Applicants should manually enter courses exactly as they appear on their transcript and match them to an A-G subject course.

Why does a warning message appear when I try to submit my application?

This year we added the warning message for several scenarios in order to alert applicants of any entry mistakes. Once applicants verify their information is correct, they can proceed and submit their application. Example warnings include:

Missing A-G requirements warning
- See question and answer #3 above
- Repeated courses warning
  - For courses like journalism, band/orchestra, film production etc. that are repeatable for credit and approved to meet A-G requirements, the applicant can leave the multiple entries.
- First Time Freshman applicants vs. Transfer student warning
  - If the applicant is a current current high school student and taking college courses, they are not a transfer student. They should Select I understand and have reviewe

Cal State Apply Application Updates and Reminders

Grades Update

Grades of "credit" or "pass" will count as a C-

These grades can also be used for validation purposes

***The pass grades will only be used during winter, spring, summer or fall 2020 terms and during winter, spring or summer 2021 terms. As of Fall 2021 forward the CSU expects graded courses to meet a-g requirements.

Dual Enrollment/College Level coursework

Make sure you select "Graduating Senior with College Credit"

The application will automatically grant a full year of high school credit for each college course inputted

Entering middle school courses to count for a-g

Middle school courses are entered in the “High School Coursework” section under “Add a High School Course.”

The Grade Level should be set to the middle school grade level the applicant completed the course, 7th Grade or 8th Grade.

Completing the a-g matching section

If the a-g tab is not checking off with a green check mark, this means that the applicant has not verified their completion of a-g.

The applicant should go to the A-G Matching tile and compare the number of years they are receiving credit for to the number of years minimum for each subject area. Once they have identified the discrepancy, they can click the Update A-G button at the bottom of this screen to be taken back to the coursework entry page for correction.
Keep in mind that if a student has input college coursework, they must manually assign it an a-g subject by going to the A-G Matching tile and writing in the letter of the corresponding a-g subject for that course.
New for Fall 2022: Some courses have similar titles when entered in (mostly in Science). As you are figuring out which course is the correct title, you will see the A-G subject that it will satisfy after the course name.

Course validation

Course validation may allow the applicant to meet a-g requirements by granting credit for lower-level courses they may not have passed, if they fall within outlined validation rules. Course validation happens automatically for California high schools that have the UC a-g course list, but must ensure they enter the correct high school with matching CEEB code and enter courses exactly as they appear on the schools A-G Course List.

Courses must be entered and validated manually for California high schools without a UC a-g course list, and for non-California high schools. Pages 34-41 of the Cal State Apply Freshman Guide 2021-2022 specific steps and screenshots to assist applicants in manually validating their coursework. If an applicant is noticing incorrect a-g calculation and has manually entered coursework, they should check the guide and double check they have correctly entered and validated their coursework. Extra years for a-g can appear due to a lower-level course not being entered correctly, such as a course from an out of state school.

*Validation will no longer be triggered automatically when courses are manually entered but will be reviewed correctly for admissions purposes.

Adding or removing programs

If applicants are not finding their desired program, they should:

Double check they are searching for the appropriate campus. Bakersfield is the first to appear on the list by campus name. If a campus is searching for another campus other than, or in addition to, Bakersfield then they should use the search/filter features by campus name.
Go back and review their Extended Profile information. The responses on the Extended Profile will display/hide programs accordingly. It is important the applicant complete the Extended Profile questions correctly to identify themselves as either a Freshman Applicant or a Freshman Applicant with College Coursework, as applicant, and additionally answer the military status, returning and international applicant questions correctly.

Application Fee Waiver Appeals

If student and their family has had a significant change in income they may qualify for an application fee waiver appeal. Fee waiver appeals are handled by the individual CSU campuses. The student would need to contact each campus(es) they are interested in applying. Contact information for campuses can be found at: https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/Pages/contact-a-campus.aspx

CSU System and Cal State Apply Updates

Supplemental Factors

Each campus will determine what they want so see as Supplemental Factors for applicants
- Examples: More than 15 A-G yearlong courses, Extracurricular Activities
Will be used for impacted campuses that are FULLY Impacted ( all programs and populations), 1st time freshman level impaction, and specific program impaction.

Students will need to research impaction at each campus individually on Calstateapply.edu

ACT/SAT

SAT/ACT will be used for placement purposes only
- For college level English and Math classes
If you are submitting test scores, provide the score and Testing ID to the schools you are applying to

Tips For Filling Out the Application

Use a personal and professional email that you will still have access to after graduation. DO NOT USE YOUR FSUSD Gmail.
Monitor your email FREQUENTLY for updates and deadlines from individual campuses
The information listed in the Personal Info section will not be used as part of the Fee Waiver process
Once the application is submitted, the only change you can go back in to do is for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
Validation is now automatically added to the application.

Financial Aid and Affordability

Some schools will ask for documents for Verification: this includes tax returns, household verification, US Citizenship, proof of Selective Service
99% of students will be Dependents, not Independents
Tuition for all schools is the same across the boards-fees will vary
Cost of Attendance (COA) is basically a budget for a student for one academic year
There is income appeals and special circumstance reporting available
Be aware that financial Aid has unit caps and time limits

CSU Impaction, Local Area, and Redirection

Some schools will use minimum eligibility criteria for admission for students applying locally
- Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Fresno
Local Admission is NOT A GUARANTEE YOU WILL GET IN, however, you will be getting first priority for consideration of admission into an impacted major/program
- This is determined by campus
- Look at the chart for local admission areas on CSU website
Redirection is a redirection of the student to apply to a non-impacted CSU Campus.
- Students will receive notification of this offer, if selected, after April 1st
- Students need to monitor their email to see this notification
- All student responses are final
- Redirection could impact housing, Financial Aid, and EOP status

Rodriguez High School

Important Student Information

Senior Information

Fall Senior Guide

Federal Financial Aid

California Student Aid

Senior Yearbook Information

Cal State Apply Updates

Bragg Sheet

Graduation News

Tiered Diploma Information

UC Admission Updates

Assist a Grad Scholarships!

Junior Information

Junior Information

Cal Grant (State) Financial Aid

Cool Opportunities!

Additional Information Juniors & Seniors