California State University (CSU) Application Guide

Let Us Help You Transfer to a CSU

california map showing the location of all 23 CSU campuses

Welcome to the SAC University Transfer Center's California State University (CSU) Application Guide.

Are you interested in applying for transfer to a CSU campus? Check out resources below and schedule an appointment with a counselor. We have counselors to assist you with meeting all necessary requirements and staff available to assist with your application. We are here for you every step of the way!

With 23 campuses statewide, the California State University system is the nation's largest four-year public university system. Over the past five years, an average of 731 SAC students enrolled in a CSU campuses. Top CSU transfer campuses include: Fullerton, Long Beach, and Dominguez Hills. We offer programs such as the SAC Promise, which guarantees admission to CSU Fullerton for qualified students with a certain GPA. You could be next!

Click here to search for degrees offered at CSU campuses.

Click here to apply to CSU campuses

SAC Specific Graduation Petition Information

Steps to Apply

Gather your materials. Here's what you'll need:
- Unofficial Transcripts. You'll be asked the enter all courses you've completed, those currently in progress, and any you plan to take.
- Your Social Security Number. If you have one.
- Your Citizenship Status.
- Credit Card or PayPal Account.
- Annual Income. Your parents if you are a dependent, your income if you are independent.
- CCCID and Campus Number. Required for ADT applicants from a California community college. These numbers should be printed on your transcript. To request your CCCID, you can call the California Community College’s Help Desk at 1-877-247-4836 or email them at support@openccc.net.
- Parent employment background and two recommendations. Applies only if you are applying to EOP.
Click here to fill out the application.
- Create an account to begin working on the application using the guides above.
- For assistance, feel free to contact the University Transfer Center or attend a workshop to review your application.
Submit, then check your email and portals often!
- Once you submit your application, you will receive application acknowledgement communication from each campus that you applied to. In that acknowledgement, the campus will let you know how to set up your online student portal at the campus. Be sure to check your portals and email often so that you do not miss a deadline.

CSU Transfer Requirements

To be admitted as an Upper Division Transfer Student (UDT), you must complete the following requirements:

a minimum of 60 semester units of transferable coursework;
have an overall college GPA of 2.00; your GPA is calculated using all your transfer units attempted
be in good standing at the last college or university attended (i.e. you are eligible to re-enroll in at your last college or university);
Have completed 10 courses (30 semester units) of CSU GE courses with a C- or better, and specifically, your Golden Four courses (Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning.

There is a single application for all CSU campuses. Visit CSU Apply for the CSU application and select the term you would like to apply for. Generally, applications for Spring transfer open in August, and applications for Fall transfer open in October. See below for application timelines and resources to assist you with your application. In addition, sign up for our email database or receive text alerts by texting "Join Transfer" to 30890 to get updates regarding application workshops hosted by the University Transfer Center.

CSU Application Timelines

October 1	CSU applications for fall admissions open. Filing period is from October 1-November 30. Certain CSUs have extended their deadline to December 15th. Check with the University Transfer Center for application assistance workshops and drop-in times. Meet with a counselor to ensure that you are transfer ready. Filing period for FAFSA or California Dream Act application open. Recommended to file between October 1-March 2 to obtain state and/or federal aid for the following academic year. Transfer Awareness Month - take part in transfer-related activities and events throughout the month of October.
November 30*	Deadline to submit CSU applications for fall admission. Certain CSUs have extended their deadline to December 15th. Please check specific CSU application deadlines. Be sure to visit the University Transfer Center during drop-in times to receive a full review of your application prior to submission.
December	After submitting your fall admissions applications, activate your portal for each school that you applied to (if applicable; not all schools utilize portals). Regularly check your email and portals for official correspondence. Look out for campus deadlines, such as when to submit transcripts.
January	January 31st - Deadline to submit your academic update with Fall grades and planned/in-progress Spring Intersession and/or Spring courses. Visit the University Transfer Center during office hours for assistance (no appointment necessary). Select campuses request supplemental applications to be completed by a deadline. Check your email often as missing a deadline can/will jeopardize your application status.
February	Deadline to submit spring ADT graduation petitions for SAC is mid-February. If you completed an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), submitting your graduation petition by the deadline will allow CSU campuses to confirm your progress/completion of an ADT on eVerify. Meet with a counselor through the Counseling Office or University Transfer Center to file a graduation petition. All other degrees/certificates are due in March.Click here for more information about graduation petition deadlines. Select campuses request supplemental applications and/or submitted transcripts to be completed by a deadline. Check your email often as missing a deadline can/will jepoardize your application status.
March	March 2 - recommended deadline to submit your FAFSA or Dream Act application for maximum federal and state aid consideration for the next academic year.
May 1	CSU Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and Enrollment Confirmation Deposits are due for most CSU campuses.
July	Deadline to submit final official transcripts for most CSU campuses.
NOTE:Students must complete their "Golden Four" courses by the end of spring term prior to fall admission (source). Deadlines may vary by campus. Carefully read all correspondence from CSU campuses.

August 1	CSU applications for spring admissions open. Visit the University Transfer Center for drop-in assistance or to schedule a transfer check with a counselor.
August 31	Deadline to submit the CSU application for spring admission.
September	Keep track of each campus's deadlines, such as when to submit transcripts, for each school that you applied to. Be sure to check campus portals and email regularly.
NOTE:Students must complete their "Golden Four" courses by the end of summer term prior to fall admission (source). Not all CSU campuses and majors are open for spring admissions. Check with the University Transfer Center or CSU website for updates.

Application Guides

Post-Application Checklists

Accepting a CSU admission offer:

If you have been accepted, the following steps are to be completed:

Must submit your "Intent to Register" by the campus deadline, along with a deposit. Each campus will notify you via your portal account. Many campuses require you to sign up for a new student orientation by a specific date.
Submit your final community college transcript (s) by the given deadline.
Continue checking your student portal for other information such as orientation, housing, or other programs.
Submit AP test scores to the CSU campus that you will be attending.