Undergraduate Students

Print this Page

Freshman Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for first-time freshman admission if they meet the following requirements: 

1. Have graduated from high school, have earned a certificate of General Education Development (GED) or have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE); 
2. Have a qualifiable minimum eligibility index (see “Eligibility Index”); and 
3. Have completed, with grades of C- or better, each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements also known as the “a-g” pattern (see “Subject Requirements”). 

Eligibility Index

The eligibility index is the combination of the high school GPA and scores on either the ACT or the SAT. GPA is based on grades earned in courses taken during the final three years of high school. Included in calculation of GPA are grades earned in all college preparatory “a-g” subject requirements and bonus points for approved honors courses. Up to eight semesters of honors courses taken in the last three years of high school, including up to two approved courses taken in the 10th grade can be accepted. Each unit of A in an honors course will receive a total of 5 points; B, 4 points; and C, 3 points. 

A CSU eligibility index can be calculated by multiplying a GPA by 800 and adding the total score on the SAT exam (mathematics and critical reading on the old SAT or mathematics and evidence-based reading and writing on the new SAT). For students who took the ACT, multiply the GPA by 200 and add 10 times the ACT composite score. Persons who are California high school graduates (or residents of California for tuition purposes) need a minimum index of 2900 using the old SAT, 2950 using the new SAT or 694 using the ACT. The eligibility index table illustrates several combinations of required test scores and averages. The university has no current plans to include the writing scores from either of the admission tests in the computation of the CSU eligibility index. 

Persons who neither graduated from a California high school nor are a resident of California for tuition purposes need a minimum index of 3502 using the old SAT, 3570 using the new SAT or 842 using the ACT. Graduates of secondary schools in foreign countries must be judged to have academic preparation and abilities equivalent to applicants eligible under this section. An applicant with a grade-point average of 3.0 or above (3.61 for nonresidents) is not required to submit test scores. However, all applicants for admission are urged to take the SAT or ACT and provide the scores of such tests to each CSU campus to which they seek admission. Campuses use these test results for advising and placement purposes and may require them for admission to impacted majors or programs. Impacted CSU campuses require SAT or ACT scores of all applicants for freshman admission.

Eligibility Index Table: SAT Table for California High School Graduates or Residents of California  

Eligibility Index Table: SAT Table for Non-Resident or Non-Graduates of California​  

Eligibility Index Table: ACT Table for California High School Graduates or Residents of California​  

Eligibility Index Table: ACT Table for Non-Resident or Non-Graduates of California​   

Subject Requirements

Cal State Fullerton is an impacted campus for all first-time freshmen. Impaction means that there are more eligible applications for a campus than can be accommodated. In order to ensure that capacity is not exceeded, more rigorous standards are applied to the freshmen applicant pool. This means that all freshmen applicants, whether in our local admissions area or outside of our local admissions area, must anticipate meeting higher levels of competition than the minimum eligibility index required by the non-impacted campuses of the CSU. The actual competition cannot be set until after the initial filing period has closed and we are able to assess the size and quality of the freshmen pool.The CSU eligibility index is subject to change on an annual basis. Admission as a first-time freshman may not be available for all semesters.

The CSU requires that first-time freshman applicants complete, with grades of C- or better, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units. A “unit” is one year of study in high school. 

• two years of social science, including one year of U.S. history, or U.S. history and government 
• four years of English 
• three years of math (algebra, geometry and intermediate algebra; four years recommended) 
• two years of laboratory science (one biological and one physical, both must have laboratory instruction) 
• two years in the same foreign language (subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence) 
• one year of visual and performing arts: art, dance, drama/theater or music 
• one year of electives: selected from English, advanced mathematics, social science, history, laboratory science, foreign language, visual and performing arts or other courses approved and included on the UC/CSU “a-g” list 

Provisional Admission for Freshmen

Cal State Fullerton may provisionally admit first-time freshman applicants based on their academic preparation through the junior year of high school and planned coursework for the senior year. The campus will monitor the final terms of study to ensure that admitted students complete their secondary school studies satisfactorily, including the required college preparatory subjects, and graduate from high school. Students are required to submit an official transcript after graduation to certify that all coursework has been satisfactorily completed. Official high school transcripts must be received prior to the deadline set by the university. In no case may documentation of high school graduation be received any later than the census date for a student’s first term of CSU enrollment. A campus may rescind admission decisions, cancel financial aid awards, withdraw housing contracts and cancel any university registration for students who are found to be ineligible after the final transcript has been evaluated. 

Applicants will qualify for regular (non-provisional) admission when the university verifies that they have graduated and received a high school diploma, have earned a qualifiable minimum eligibility index, have completed the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory “a-g” subjects and, if applying to an impacted program or campus, have met all supplementary criteria. 

The CSU uses only the ACT composite score, the mathematics and critical reading scores on the old SAT, or the mathematics and evidence-based reading and writing scores on the new SAT in its admission eligibility equation. The SAT or ACT writing scores are not currently used by CSU campuses.

Students are admitted for a specific term. If a student is unable to begin their studies that term, they will need to reapply for a future term by submitting a new admission application.

Transfer Policies of CSU Campuses

Most commonly, college-level credits earned from an institution of higher education accredited by a regional accrediting agency are accepted for transfer to campuses of the CSU; however, authority for decisions regarding the transfer of undergraduate credits is delegated to each CSU campus. 

California Community Colleges and other authorized certifying institutions can certify up to 39 semester (58.5 quarter) units of General Education-Breadth (GE-Breadth) or 37 semester (55.5 quarter) units of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for transfer students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements for any CSU campus prior to transfer. 

“Certification” is the official notification from a California Community College or authorized institution that a transfer student has completed courses fulfilling lower-division general education requirements. The CSU GE-Breadth and the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification course lists for particular community colleges can be accessed at assist.org. 

CSU campuses may enter into course-to-course or program-to-program articulation agreements with other CSU campuses, any or all of the California community colleges and other regionally accredited institutions. Established CSU and CCC articulations may be found on assist.org. Students may be permitted to transfer no more than 70 semester (105 quarter) units to a CSU campus from an institution which does not offer bachelor’s degrees or their equivalents, for example, community colleges. Given the university’s 30-semester (45-quarter) unit residency requirement, no more than a total of 90 semester (135 quarter) units may be transferred into the university from all sources.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants who have completed fewer than 60 transferable semester college units (fewer than 90 quarter units) are considered lower-division transfer students. Applicants who have completed 60 or more transferable semester college units (90 or more quarter units) are considered upper-division transfer students. Applicants who complete college units during high school or through the summer immediately following high school graduation are considered first-time freshmen and must meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements for first-time freshman admission. Transferable courses are those designated for baccalaureate credit by the college or university offering the courses and accepted as such by the campus to which the applicant seeks admission. 

Lower-Division Transfer Requirements

Due to increased enrollment demands, most CSU campuses do not admit lower-division transfer applicants. 

Generally, applicants will qualify for CSU admission consideration as a lower-division transfer if they have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted, are in good standing at the last college or university attended, and meet any of the following standards:

1. Will meet the freshman admission requirements (GPA and subject requirements) in effect for the term to which they are applying (see “Freshman Requirements”); or 
2. Were eligible as a freshman at the time of high school graduation except for missing college preparatory subject requirements, have been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation, and have made up the missing subject requirements with a 2.0 or better GPA.

Applicants who graduated from high school prior to 1988 should contact the admission office to inquire about alternative admission programs. 

Lower-division applicants who did not complete subject requirements while in high school may make up missing subjects in any of the following ways: 

1. Complete appropriate courses with a C- or better in adult school or high school summer sessions. 
2. Complete appropriate college courses with a C- or better. One college course of at least three semester or four quarter units will be considered equivalent to one year of high school study. 
3. Earn acceptable scores on specified examinations, e.g., SAT subject tests.

Please consult with the CSU campus admission office to which you are applying for further information about alternative ways to satisfy the subject requirements. 

Cal State Fullerton does not accept applications for lower-division applicants.

Making Up Missing College Preparatory Subject Requirements

Lower-division applicants who did not complete subject requirements while in high school may make up missing subjects in any of the following ways:

1. Complete appropriate courses with a C or better in adult school or high school summer sessions;
2. Complete appropriate college courses with a C or better. One college course of at least three semester or four quarter units will be considered equivalent to one year of high school study; or
3. Earn acceptable scores on specified examinations, e.g., SAT subject tests.

Please consult with the CSU campus admission office, to which you are applying for further information about alternative ways to satisfy the subject requirements.

Due to increased enrollment demands, most CSU campuses do not admit lower-division transfer applicants.

Upper-Division Transfer Requirements

Generally, applicants will qualify for consideration for upper-division transfer admission if they meet all of the following requirements: 

1. Cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0 in all transferable units attempted; 
2. In good standing at the last college or university attended; and 
3. Completed at least 60 transferable semester (90 quarter) units of college level coursework with a grade-point average of 2.0 or higher and a grade of C- or better in each course used to meet the CSU general education requirements in written communication, oral communication, critical thinking and quantitative reasoning, e.g. mathematics.

The 60 units must include at least 30 units of courses that meet CSU general education requirements, including all of the general education requirements in communication in the English language (both oral and written) and critical thinking and the requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning (usually three semester units) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements in English communication and mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning. 

Cal State Fullerton is an impacted campus at the transfer level. Impaction means that there are more applications for a campus than can be accommodated. In order to ensure that capacity is not exceeded, more rigorous standards are applied to the transfer applicant pool, which may include a higher GPA above the CSU minimum. Impacted criteria may include local vs. out of local area and major program impaction.

The local area for Cal State Fullerton includes all Orange County community colleges. Students must have earned their majority of units from an Orange County community college to be considered a local applicant. The GPA requirement for local and out of local area (from other than Orange County community colleges) applicants will be determined based on the number and quality of applications received and will not be determined until after the initial filing period is over.

The major that an applicant applies and to which they are accepted must be their major for a minimum of two semesters. Applicants will be unable to move between majors without meeting the initial impacted major GPA requirement. Change of major is not permitted after an applicant submits an application for fall or spring consideration. Cal State Fullerton does not use alternative major for admission consideration.

CSU general education requirements (“Golden Four”) are designated as Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning. Transfer applicants applying for fall term must complete the Golden Four courses, with grades of C- or higher, no later than the end of the spring term. Transfer applicants applying for the spring term must complete the Golden Four courses, with grades of C- or higher, no later than the end of the summer term. Applicants applying to impacted majors will be considered for admission based on meeting minimum CSU criteria and the supplemental criteria for the specific major. Former CSU students who are seeking readmission after academic disqualification must meet the GPA standards in place for their major at the time of reapplication.

CSUF is an impacted campus both by major and location.

Students are admitted for a specific term. If a student is unable to begin their studies that term, they will need to reapply for a future term by submitting a new admission application.

Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) 

The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and the Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) degrees offered at the California Community Colleges (CCC) are designed to provide a California community college student the optimum transfer preparation and a clear admission pathway to the CSU degree majors. 

CCC students who earn an associate degree for transfer are guaranteed admission with junior standing to a CSU and given priority admission over other transfer applicants when applying to a local CSU campus or non-impacted CSU program. AA-T or AS-T admission applicants are given limited priority consideration based on their eligibility ranking to an impacted campus/program or to campuses/programs that have been deemed similar to the degree completed at the community college. Students who have completed an AA-T/AS-T in a program deemed similar to a CSU major are able to complete remaining requirements for graduation within 60 semester (90 quarter) units. It is the responsibility of the student who has earned an AA-T/AS-T to provide documentation of the degree to the CSU campus.

Those students who earn associate degrees for transfer and apply to a CSU campus but cannot be admitted due to impaction will be redirected to another CSU campus and offered admission for the same term. In order to qualify for the priority admission guarantee, transfer applicants must be conferred an approved associate degree for transfer by a California Community College, must apply for admission to California State University campuses for an open term by the published deadline, submit all requested transcripts and documents, meet CSU admission eligibility requirements for the campus and/or program, and must comply with any other prescribed admission requirements. It is the responsibility of these transfer students to provide documentation about the completion of the degree to each CSU campus that has received an application for admission. 

Applicants to Cal State Fullerton who are earning a community college transfer associate degree (AA-T or AS-T) must file an application during the initial filing period. Because of impaction, they will be given a 0.1 GPA advantage when determining admission eligibility.

Provisional Admission for Transfers

Cal State Fullerton may provisionally or conditionally admit transfer applicants based on their academic preparation and courses planned for completion. The campus will monitor the final terms to ensure that those admitted complete all required courses satisfactorily. All accepted applicants are required to submit an official transcript of all college-level work completed. Campuses may rescind admission for any student who is found to be ineligible after the final transcript has been evaluated. In no case may such documents be received and validated by the university any later than a student’s registration for their second term of CSU enrollment.

Test Requirements

Freshman and transfer applicants who have fewer than 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable college credit are strongly encouraged to submit scores, unless exempt (see “Eligibility Index”), from either the ACT or the SAT of the College Board. Persons who apply to an impacted program may be required to submit test scores and should take the test no later than November or December. Test scores also are used for advising and placement purposes. Registration forms and dates for the SAT or ACT are available from school or college counselors or from a CSU campus testing office. CSUF’s University Testing Center is located at University Hall-229, 657-278-3838. Or students may contact:

The College Board (SAT)
Registration Unit, Box 6200
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6200
609-771-7588
collegeboard.org

ACT Registration Unit
P.O. Box 414
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319-337-1270
act.org

English Language Requirement

All undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English, and who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three years full time where English is the principal language of instruction, must present a score of 500 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some majors may require a higher score. Some majors and some campuses may require a higher score. A few campuses may also use alternative methods of assessing English fluency: Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP). Each campus will post the tests it accepts on its website and will notify students after they apply about the tests it accepts and when to submit scores. 

CSU minimum TOEFL standards are:

CSUF minimum TOEFL standards are:

IELTS minimum standards are:

Test results submitted must not have been earned more than two years prior to the desired enrollment date. Institutional TOEFL tests administered outside of CSUF are not acceptable.

As circumstances warrant, minimum TOEFL scores may be changed.

Computer Competency

All entering students are expected to be knowledgeable in the use of a personal computer (PC or Macintosh) prior to being admitted to the university. Entering students should have 1) the ability to use a PC to locate, create, move, copy, delete, name, rename, and save files and folders on hard drives and on secondary storage devices; 2) the ability to use a word processing program that runs on a PC or Macintosh computer to create, edit, format, store, retrieve and print documents; 3) the ability to use an electronic mail system to receive, create, edit, print, save, and send an email message with and without an attached file and 4) the ability to use an internet browser. Students who feel they do not meet the expected level of competency should contact the Academic Advisement Center at 657-278-3606.

Assessment of Academic Preparation and Placement

The CSU requires that all entering freshmen students be evaluated in terms of their preparation to complete first-year courses in written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning. This evaluation will utilize the broadest set of multiple measures including high school grades as well as performance scores on standardized exams such as the ACT or SAT. This evaluation of academic readiness is not a condition for admission to the CSU, but it is an important step for determining the best course placement for entering students. 

Successful completion of general education written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning courses in the first year of CSU enrollment establishes a foundation for continuous learning. Unless the requirements have been completed, freshmen shall enroll in G.E. written communication and mathematics/ quantitative reasoning courses appropriate to each student’s major and skill level, as demonstrated by applicable systemwide standards utilized in the review of academic preparation. 

Students whose skill assessments indicate academic support will be needed for successful completion of G.E. in written communication or mathematics/quantitative courses shall enroll in appropriate college-level, baccalaureate credit-bearing courses that strengthen skills development to facilitate achieving the appropriate general education student learning outcomes. Supportive course models may include, among others, co-requisite approaches, supplemental instruction or “stretch” formats that extend a course beyond one academic term. In these approaches, instructional content considered pre-baccalaureate may carry a maximum of one unit and shall be offered concurrently with a college-level, baccalaureate credit-bearing course.

Multiple Measures Assessment for General Education Written Communication

Based on the systemwide assessment standards for G.E. written communication below, freshmen shall enroll in appropriate GE written communication courses during their first academic year unless the requirement has been fulfilled. 

Students who have met the following requirements have fulfilled the G.E. Written Communication requirement in preparation for advanced courses: 

• A score of 3 or above on either the Language and Composition examination or the Composition and Literature examination of the College Board Scholastic Advanced Placement Program 
• Completion and transfer to the CSU of the credits for a college course that satisfies the CSU G.E. requirement in written composition, provided such a course was completed with a grade of C- or better 

Students who have met the following requirements are ready to enroll in a course that meets the G.E. Written Communication requirement: 

• A result of ‘Standard Exceeded: Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in English’ earned on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam 
• A score of 550 or higher on the evidence-Based reading and writing section of the new SAT Reasoning Test sponsored by the College Board 
• A score of 500 or higher on the evidence-Based reading and writing section section of the old SAT Reasoning Test sponsored by the College Board 
• A score of 22 or above on the ACT English test 
• Completion of an approved 12th grade, year-long, English course with a grade of C- or better AND a score of 510-540 on the evidence-Based reading and writing section section of the new SAT Reasoning Test or a score of 460- 490 on the evidence-Based reading and writing section section of the old SAT Reasoning Test 
• Completion of an approved 12th grade, year-long, English course with a grade of C- or better AND a score of 19-21 on the ACT English test 
• A result of ‘Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in English’ on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam AND completion of an approved 12th grade, year-long, English course with a grade of C- or better 
• Achievement of a weighted high school GPA ≥ 3.3 OR a weighted high school GPA ≥ 3.0 and completion of an approved 12th grade, year-long, English course (AP, IB, ERWC) or Honors English or more than 5 years of high school English 

Students who have met the following requirements are ready to enroll in a course that meets the G.E. Written Communication requirement and includes supported instruction:

• Completion of 4+ years of standard college preparatory high school English courses AND a score of 510-540 on the evidence-Based reading and writing section of the new SAT Reasoning Test or a score of 460-490 on the evidence-Based reading and writing section of the old SAT Reasoning Test or a score of 19-21 on the ACT English test 
• Achievement of a weighted high school GPA ≥ 3.0 and 4 years of standard college preparatory high school English courses 

Students who have met the following requirements are required to participate in the Early Start Program and are ready to enroll in a course that meets the GE Written Communication requirement and includes supported instruction: 

• A score less than 510 on the evidence-Based reading and writing section of the new SAT Reasoning Test or a score less than 460 on the old SAT Reasoning Test AND achievement of a weighted high school grade-point average of ≤ 3.0 
• A score less than 19 on the ACT English test and the achievement of a weighted high school GPA of ≤ 3.0

Multiple Measures Assessment for General Education Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning

Based on the systemwide assessment standards for G.E. mathematics/quantitative reasoning below, freshmen shall enroll in appropriate general education mathematics/quantitative reasoning courses during their first academic year unless the requirement has been fulfilled. 

Students who have met the following requirements have fulfilled the G.E. Math/Quantitative Reasoning requirement and are permitted to enroll in the next level of math: 

• A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Calculus AB or Calculus BC tests 
• A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Statistics test 
• A score of 4 or above on the International Baccalaureate Mathematics Higher Level (HL) 
• A score of 50 or above on the College Board College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Calculus, College Algebra, College Algebra-Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, or Trigonometry 
• Completion and transfer to the CSU of the credits for a college course that satisfies the CSU General Education requirement in mathematics/quantitative reasoning, provided such a course was completed with a grade of C- or better 

Students who are STEM majors who have met the following requirements are ready to enroll in a course that meets the G.E. Math/Quantitative Reasoning requirement:

• A result of ‘Standard Exceeded: Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics’ on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam 
• A score of 570 or above on the mathematics section of the new SAT Reasoning Test 
• A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the old SAT Reasoning Test 
• A score of 550 or above on the SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or level 2) 
• A score of 23 or above on the ACT Mathematics test 
• Completion of a 12th-grade mathematics course beyond algebra 2 with a grade of C- or better and a score of 520-560 on the new SAT mathematics test or a score of 490-540 on the old SAT mathematics test 
• Completion of a 12th-grade mathematics course beyond algebra 2 with a grade of C- or better and a score of 20- 22 on the ACT Mathematics test 
• A result of ‘Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics’ on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam AND completion of a 12th-grade mathematics course with a grade of C- or better 
• Achievement of a weighted high school GPA ≥ 3.7 
• Achievement of a weighted high school mathematics GPA ≥ 3.5 and 5+ years of mathematics or quantitative reasoning courses 
• Achievement of a weighted high school mathematics GPA ≥ 3.5 and completion of an approved senior year course

Students who are non-STEM majors who have met the following requirements are ready to enroll in a course that meets the G.E. Math/Quantitative Reasoning requirement: 

• A result of ‘Standard Exceeded: Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics’ on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam 
• A score of 570 or above on the mathematics section of the new SAT Reasoning Test 
• A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the old SAT Reasoning Test 
• A score of 550 or above on the SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or level 2) 
• A score of 23 or above on the ACT Mathematics test 
• Completion of a 12th-grade mathematics course beyond algebra 2 with a grade of C- or better and a score of 520-560 on the new SAT mathematics test or a score of 490-540 on the old SAT mathematics test 
• Completion of a 12th-grade mathematics course beyond algebra 2 with a grade of C- or better and a score of 20- 22 on the ACT Mathematics test
• A result of ‘Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics’ on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam AND completion of a 12th-grade mathematics course with a grade of C- or better
• A result of ‘Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP exam) and 4 years of mathematics or quantitative reasoning courses
• Achievement of a weighted high school GPA ≥ 3.7
• Achievement of a weighted high school GPA ≥ 3.5 and 4+ years of mathematics or quantitative reasoning courses 
• Achievement of a weighted high school mathematics GPA ≥ 3.0 and completion of 5+ years of mathematics or quantitative reasoning courses
• Achievement of a weighted high school mathematics GPA ≥3.0 and completion of an approved senior year course

Students who are STEM majors who have met the following requirements are ready to enroll in a course that meets the G.E. Math/Quantitative Reasoning requirement and includes supported instruction: 

• Achievement of a weighted high school mathematics GPA ≥ 3.3 

Students who are non-STEM majors who have met the following requirements are ready to enroll in a course that meets the G.E. Math/Quantitative Reasoning requirement and includes supported instruction: 

• Achievement of a weighted high school mathematics GPA ≥ 3.3 
• Achievement of a weighted high school GPA ≥ 3.0 

Students who have met the following requirements are required to participate in the Early Start Program and are ready to enroll in a course that meets the G.E. Math/Quantitative Reasoning requirement and includes supported instruction: 

• A score less than 510 on the mathematics section of the new SAT Reasoning test or a score less than 490 on the mathematics section of the old SAT Reasoning test AND a weighted high school GPA ≤ 3.2 
• A score less than 20 on the ACT Mathematics test AND a weighted high school GPA ≤ 3.2

Early Start Program

The Early Start Program serves CSU admitted freshmen who have not demonstrated proficiency in written communication and/or mathematics/quantitative reasoning as determined by systemwide placement standards. Participation in the Early Start Program is required for students needing skills development in these areas; students will be expected to enroll in a written communication course or a mathematics/quantitative reasoning course (but not both) during the summer period prior to the start of the fall term. Students required to participate in the Early Start Program may choose to enroll at any CSU campus; the earned baccalaureate credit will be transferred seamlessly to the student’s destination campus. 

The goals of the Early Start Program are to: 

• Better prepare students in written communication and mathematics/quantitative reasoning before the start of the fall semester of the freshman year; 
• Add an important and timely assessment tool in preparing students for college; and 
• Improve the opportunity for students to successfully complete their college degrees.

CSU Immunization Requirements

Entering CSU students are required to present proof of the following immunizations to the CSU campus they will be attending before the beginning of their first term of enrollment. 

Measles and Rubella: All new and readmitted students must provide proof of full immunization against measles and rubella prior to enrollment. 

Hepatitis B: All new students who will be 18 years of age or younger at the start of their first term at a CSU campus must provide proof of full immunization against Hepatitis B before enrolling. Full immunization against Hepatitis B consists of three timed doses of vaccine over a minimum four to six months’ period. If you need further details or have special circumstances, please consult Cal State Fullerton’s Student Wellness at 657-278-2800 or fullerton.edu/studentwellness.

Meningococcal Disease Information: Each incoming freshman who will be residing in on-campus housing will be required to return a form indicating that they have received information about meningococcal disease and the availability of the vaccine to prevent contracting the disease and indicating whether or not the student has chosen to receive the vaccination. 

The above are not admission requirements, but are required of students as conditions of enrollment in CSU.

Note: The CSU anticipates a policy change to the immunization requirements for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Determination of Residency for Tuition Purposes

University requirements for establishing residency for tuition purposes are independent from those of other types of residency, such as for tax purposes, or other state or institutional residency. These regulations were promulgated not to determine whether a student is a resident or nonresident of California, but rather to determine whether a student should pay university fees on an in-state or out-of-state basis. A resident for tuition purposes is someone who meets the requirements set forth in the Uniform Student Residency Requirements. These laws governing residency for tuition purposes at the CSU are California Education Code sections 68000-68085, 68120-68133, and 89705- 89707.5, and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Subchapter 5, Article 4, sections 41900- 41916. This material can be viewed by accessing the CSU’s website at calstate.edu/GC/resources.shtml. 

Each campus’ Admissions Office is responsible for determining the residency status of all new and returning students based on the Application for Admission, Residency Questionnaire, Reclassification Request Form and, as necessary, other evidence furnished by the student. A student who fails to submit adequate information to establish eligibility for resident classification will be classified as a nonresident. 

Generally, establishing California residency for tuition purposes requires a combination of physical presence and intent to remain indefinitely in the state of California. An adult who, at least 366 days prior to the residency determination date for the term in which enrollment is contemplated, can demonstrate both physical presence in the state combined with evidence of intent to remain in California indefinitely may establish California residency for tuition purposes. A minor normally derives residency from the parent(s) with whom he/she resides or most recently resided. 

Evidence demonstrating intent may vary from case to case but will include, and is not limited to, the absence of residential ties to any other state, California voter registration and voting in California elections, maintaining California vehicle registration and driver’s license, maintaining active California bank accounts, filing California income tax returns and listing a California address on federal tax returns, owning residential property or occupying or renting a residence where permanent belongings are kept, maintaining active memberships in California professional or social organizations, and maintaining a permanent military address and home of record in California.

A nonresident student seeking reclassification is required to complete a supplemental questionnaire that includes questions concerning his/her financial independence. Financial independence is required, in addition to physical presence and intent to remain indefinitely, to be eligible for reclassification. Financial independence is established if in the calendar year the reclassification application is made – and in any of the three calendar years preceding the reclassification application – the student: 

• Has not and will not be claimed as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes by his/her parent(s); 
• Has not and will not receive more than $750 per year in financial assistance from his/her parent(s); and 
• Has not lived and will not live longer than six weeks in the home of his/her parent(s). 

A nonresident student who has been appointed as a graduate student teaching assistant, a graduate student research assistant, or a graduate student teaching associate on any CSU campus and is employed on a 0.49 or more time basis is exempt from the financial independence requirement. 

Non-citizens establish residency in the same manner as citizens, unless precluded by the Immigration and Nationality Act from establishing domicile in the United States. 

Exceptions to the general residency requirements are contained in California Education Code sections 68070-68085 and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Subchapter 5, Article 4, sections 41906- 41906.6, 41910. Whether an exception applies to a particular student can only be determined after the submission of an application for admission and, as necessary, additional supporting documentation. Because neither the campus nor Chancellor’s Office staff may give advice on the application of these laws, applicants are strongly urged to review the material for themselves and consult with a legal adviser. 

Residency determination dates are set each term. They are: 

Residency determination dates are set each term. They are:

*Applies only to winter term at CSU Stanislaus 

CalState TEACH operates on a trimester system. The residency determination dates for CalState TEACH are as follows:

Students classified as nonresidents may appeal a final campus decision within 30 days of notification by the campus. Information on the appeal process may be found at calstate.edu/sas/residency/appeals.shtml. A campus residency classification appeal must be submitted via the InfoReady online Residence Appeal Form to the California State University Chancellor’s Office at: calstate.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1760156.

Appeals via email, fax and U.S. mail will not be accepted. A student with a documented disability that prohibits the student from submitting an appeal through the InfoReady site should contact Student Academic Services: 

California State University 
Attn: Student Academic Services 
401 Golden Shore, 6th Floor 
Long Beach, CA 90802-4210
Email: residencyappeals@calstate.edu

The Chancellor’s Office can either decide the appeal or send the matter back to the campus for further review. Students incorrectly classified as residents or incorrectly granted an exception from nonresident tuition are subject to reclassification as nonresidents and payment of nonresident tuition in arrears. If incorrect classification results from false or concealed facts, the student is also subject to discipline pursuant to Section 41301 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. 

Resident students who become nonresidents or who no longer meet the criteria for an exception must immediately notify the Admissions Office. Changes may have been made in the rate of nonresident tuition and in the statutes and regulations governing residency for tuition purposes in California between the time this information is published and the relevant residency determination date. Students are urged to review the statutes and regulations stated above.