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California State University System (CSU)

The CSU system is made up of 23 campuses across the state of California. The California State University educates 484,000 students every year and has one of the most diverse student bodies in the United States. 

California

 

About California State University (CSU)

CSU long Beach

If you will have at least 60 semester or 90 quarter transferable units completed by the time you enter a CSU, you are considered an upper-division transfer application.

To be admitted to the CSU as an upper-division transfer (UDT) student, you must: 

  • Have completed a minimum of 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable coursework.
  • Have an overall college GPA of at least 2.00 (your GPA is calculated using all your transfer units attempted)
    • In high-demand majors and campuses a GPA of 2.00 may not be sufficient to be admitted.
  • Be in good standing at the last college or university you attended.
    • In simple terms, “good standing” means you are eligible to re-enroll at your last college or university.
  • Have completed 10 general education courses (30 semester units or 45 quarter units) of basic skills courses, with a grade of C- or better, and, specifically, four courses completed in the following areas (in either column) which are known as the Golden Four:

General Education-Breadth

Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum* (IGETC)

Area A - English Language Communication and Critical Thinking

Area 1 - English Communication

A1 - Oral Communication

1A - Written Communications

A2 - Written Communications

1B - Critical Thinking

A3 - Critical Thinking

1C - Oral Communications

Area B - Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning

Area 2 - Mathematical Concept and Quantitative Reasoning

B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning

 

 

High-Unit Majors with Authorized Exceptions to Admission and GE Breadth Requirements. 

Some CSU campuses and/or majors may have additional requirements for admission. For the most up-to-date information on transfer requirements visit the individual campus websites and/or, schedule an appointment with the Transfer Center or a Counselor

Channel Islands

When the number of applications received by a CSU campus from qualified applicants is greater than the number of available spaces, a campus is considered “impacted” for undergraduate degree programs or for undergraduate students who apply from outside the local admission area.

In this case, an impacted campus is allowed to use additional criteria to screen applications.

Campuses without the impaction designation at the program or campus level are open to all CSU eligible applicants.

If you're an upper-division transfer student to the CSU, you can use this database to find out whether a degree program or campus you're interested in is affected by impaction.

San Bernardino

The California State University (CSU) offers a comprehensive selection of undergraduate degree programs. Begin your search to get a personalized listing of CSU degree programs. Search Degrees at the CSU!

Looking for a 100% online program? Search CSU Online Programs!

Associate degree for Transfer Logo

Find out which CSU campuses have a program that is similar to the ADT program (AA-T or AS-T) you want to complete or have completed. Search for a CSU Campus.

Take a virtual tour

 

The Transfer Center visits several campuses each semester. Make sure to check out our Events & Workshops page so you don't miss out! If you are unable to attend a campus tour in person, you can also take a virtual tour at any of the CSUs. 

 

scholarship graphic

A variety of financial aid sources are available to help you pay for college. Financial aid can come from, federal, state, school, and private sources to help you pay for college. For more information on the different types of financial aid available at the CSUs visit our Financial Aid webpage.

Learn more about federal grants, loans, and work-study jobs and how they can help fund your education - Types of Financial Aid: Loans, Grants, and Work-Study Programs

The CSU's offer many different options when it comes to housing for transfer students. It is important to look into housing options as you plan for transfer. Below is additional web links and contact information for each CSU campus. 

University Offer Housing Offer Family Housing Housing Contact # Email Address Housing Website
CSU Bakersfield Yes No (661) 654-3014 housing@csusb.edu Website
CSU Channel Islands Yes No (805) 437-2733 student.housing@csuci.edu  Website
CSU Chico Yes No (530) 898-6325 housing@csuchico.edu Website
CSU Dominguez Hills Yes No (310) 243-2228 housing@csudh.edu Website
CSU East Bay Yes No (510) 885-7444 housing@csueastbay.edu Website
CSU Fresno Yes No (559) 278-2345 housing@csufresno.edu Website
CSU Fullerton Yes No (657) 278-2168 housing@fullerton.edu Website
Humboldt State Yes No (707) 826-3451 housing@humboldt.edu Website
CSU Long Beach Yes No (562) 985-4187 housing@csulb.edu Website
CSU Los Angeles Yes No (323) 343-4800 askhousing@calstatela.edu Website
Maritime Academy Yes No (707) 654-1400 housing@csum.edu Website
Monterey Bay Yes Yes (831) 582-3378 studenthousing@csumb.edu Website
Northridge Yes Yes (818) 677-2160 housing@csun.edu Website
Cal Poly Pomona Yes No (909) 869-3307 housing@cpp.edu Website
CSU Sacramento Yes No (916) 278-6655 housing@csus.edu Website
CSU San Bernardino Yes No (909) 537-4155 housing@csusb.edu Website
San Diego State Yes No (619) 594-5742 oha.sdsu.edu Website
San Francisco State Yes Yes (415) 338-1067 housing@sfsu.edu Website
San Jose State Yes No (408) 795-5600 uhsfrontdesk@sjsu.edu Website
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Yes No (805) 756-1226 housing@calpoly.edu Website
CSU San Marcos Yes No (760) 750-3730 housing@csusm.edu Website
Sonoma State Yes No (707) 664-2541 housing@sonoma.edu Website
CSU Stanislaus Yes No (209) 667-3675 housing@csustan.edu Website

Last Updated: 10.25.2023

The CSU's offer childcare options for transfer students with children. Make sure to look into each campuses options and eligibility requirements. See links below for full details. 

University Offer Childcare
CSU Bakersfield Yes
CSU Channel Islands No
CSU Chico Yes
CSU Dominguez Hills Yes
CSU East Bay No
CSU Fresno Yes
CSU Fullerton Yes
Humboldt State Yes
CSU Long Beach Yes
CSU Los Angeles Yes
Maritime Academy No
Monterey Bay Yes
Northridge Yes
Cal Poly Pomona Yes
CSU Sacramento Yes
CSU San Bernardino Yes
San Diego State Yes
San Francisco State Yes
San Jose State Yes
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Yes
CSU San Marcos Yes
Sonoma State Yes
CSU Stanislaus Yes

Last Updated: 04/29/2021

Students with Disabilities

The CSU system fosters an inclusive environment for students with disabilities by providing necessary accommodations and services to help them reach their academic goals. Each campus is committed to supporting students and working with the campus community to eliminate barriers to educational access, while upholding the University’s values of equity and inclusion. For more details, click on the links for each campus below.

Last Updated: 04/29/2021

UC fullerton

Interested in connecting with your future CSU campus? Contact the admissions office of the school you're considering for more information.

CSU Campus directory

 

CSU Admissions Application Toolbox

It's transfer time

One of the most important items you need to remember as a transfer student is that you apply for transfer to a CSU almost an entire year in advance. For instance, if spring 2025 is your last semester at Barstow Community College you will apply for Fall 2025 admission to the CSUs between October 1-December 2nd, 2024.

Also keep in mind that not all CSU's open for spring admission. Check out the application dates & deadlines to find out which campuses accept spring admissions.

August 1- 31, 2024

CSU application filing period for Spring 2025 applicants.

To check which campuses are accepting Spring 2025 applicants, check out the Application Dates & Deadlines at the CSU website. 

December 2024-    March 2, 2025

Apply for financial aid and submit the FAFSA or the Dream Act application (AB 540 students only).

For maximum award eligibility, submit the Dream Act/FAFSA application early. List all UC, CSU, and Private/Out-of-State institutions for which you are planning to apply.

October 1 - December 2, 2024

CSU application filing period for Fall 2025 applicants.

Need assistance with your application? Attend a CSU application workshop.

To apply online for admission to a CSU campus use Cal State Apply. Indicate on the CSU application if you are planning to earn an Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T/AS-T).

January 1-31, 2025

Update your CSU application by providing your final grades for Fall 2024 by logging into your application on Cal State Apply

  • In addition to the general CSU update, some CSU’s will request a supplemental application to be completed through their own campus portal by a certain deadline.
  • Some will also request for you to send official transcripts with Fall 2024 grades from all colleges or universities attended. Order your Official Transcripts Online!
January 1- March 1, 2025 Transfer students who intend to earn an AA/AS or AA-T/AS-T degree should file their Petition to Graduate. 
March 1 - May 1, 2025 Campuses begin sending admissions decisions. Check your email and/or the campus websites for admissions status.
May 1, 2025 Once admitted, submit Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and complete the NEXT STEPS
June 1, 2024

Once you have accepted your offer of admission and completed your Spring 2025 courses, complete the following:

San Diego State University

When you're ready to complete your application to the CSU, be sure you have these items on hand:

  • Unofficial Transcripts- You'll be asked to enter all of the courses completed on your CSU application; those that are currently in progress; and any you plan to take. Transcripts will be requested by campuses as needed.
  • You're Social Security number, if you have one. 
  • Your citizenship status
  • Annual income. Your parents' if you are a dependent; your income if you are independent.
  • Your parent's employment background and two recommendations. Applies only if you're applying to EOP. 

 

Sam Marcos CSU

The Barstow Community College Transfer Center offers multiple workshops to assist students in completing the CSU admissions application. Check out our Events & Workshops page for a list of current workshops.

Ready to get started on your admissions application? Utilize the multiple resources listed below to help you complete the application. However, be sure to schedule an appointment with the Transfer Center so that we can check your application for errors prior to you submitting it. 

Housing & Financial Aid

The table below is a list of the California State University Housing & Financial Aid websites & phone numbers.

CSU CAMPUS

CSU HOUSING &
FINANCIAL 
AID
WEBSITES

CSU HOUSING &
FINANCIAL AID
PHONE NUMBERS

CSU Bakersfield Housing (661) 654-3014
  Financial Aid (661) 654-3016
CSU Channel Islands Housing (805) 437-2733
  Financial Aid (805) 437-8530
CSU Chico Housing (530) 898-6325
  Financial Aid (530) 898-6451
CSU Dominguez Hills Housing (310) 243-2228
  Financial Aid (310) 243-3691
 CSU East Bay Housing (510) 885-7444
  Financial Aid (510) 885-2784
CSU Fresno Housing (559) 278-2345
  Financial Aid (559) 278-2182
CSU Fullerton Housing (657) 278-2168
  Financial Aid (657) 278-3125
CSU Humboldt Housing (707) 826-3451
  Financial Aid (707) 826-5360
CSU Long Beach Housing (562) 985-4187
  Financial Aid (562) 985-8403
CSU Los Angeles Housing (323) 343-4800
  Financial Aid (323) 343-6260
CSU Maritime Academy     Housing (707) 654-1400
  Financial Aid (707) 654-1275
CSU Monterey Bay Housing (831) 582-3378
  Financial Aid (831) 582-100
CSU Northridge Housing (818) 677-2160
  Financial Aid (818) 677-4085
Cal Poly Pomona Housing (909) 869-3307
  Financial Aid (909) 869-3700
CSU Sacramento Housing (916) 278-6655
  Financial Aid (916) 278-6554
CSU San Bernardino Housing (909) 537-4155
  Financial Aid (909) 537-7024
CSU San Diego Housing (619) 594-5742
  Financial Aid (619) 594-6323
CSU San Francisco Housing (415) 338-1067
  Financial Aid (415) 338-7000
CSU San Jose Housing (408) 795-5600
  Financial Aid (408) 283-7500
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Housing (805) 756-1226
  Financial Aid (805) 756-2927
CSU San Marcos Housing  (760) 750-3711
  Financial Aid (760) 750-4850
CSU Sonoma Housing (707) 664-2541
  Financial Aid (707) 664-2389
CSU Stanislaus Housing (209) 667-3675
  Financial Aid (209) 667-3336

Unfortunately, you may receive a notice from the CSU campus that you applied to that they are NOT offering you admission. Hopefully you have received some offers of admission to the other universities that you applied to. However, each CSU campus provides students the opportunity to appeal a denial of admission or request to be reconsidered for admission.

Click on the link below for the university that you received a denial of admission to in order to see the appeal process:

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

*Please note Channel Islands, Maritime and San Marcos do not have a comma in their formal names.

**Please note the order of Polytechnic and State when referring to Pomona and San Luis Obispo.