Welcome to November!
We are roughly halfway through the CSU application season. Here are a few Cal State Apply updates and resources to help you and your students get through the month.
Priority Application Deadlines
A reminder, the priority application filing deadline for the Fall 2022 semester is Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Some campuses have extended their priority application period past November 30, 2021. Visit the Priority Application Deadline page for more information.
When a student submits their first application to any campus, regardless of the priority deadline, their application information will lock. Students will not be able to make any changes to any subsequent application. Please encourage your students to apply early to all campuses, regardless of their priority application deadline.
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 reviewed.
Application Materials
Cal State Apply resources are posted on the Counselor Resource site. You may find the following useful:
Share with your students!
Cal State Apply Tips
View the Top Tips for Applying to the California State University on YouTube.

10 Reasons to Choose the CSU

Serving 486,000 students across 23 campuses, the California State University plays an integral role in transforming the state and the lives of its people through higher education. As the largest university system in the U.S. with a range of studies and locations across California, the CSU provides all individuals interested in furthering their education access to a valuable, life-changing college degree. Here are just 10 reasons to apply to the CSU.
CSU Campus Virtual Tour Links

Access a CSU overview video and virtual tour links for all 23 campuses in one central location. These are located under the Choosing a Campus section of the Cal State Apply web site.
Reminders & Clarifications
SAT and ACT Test Scores
The CSU has temporarily suspended the use of SAT and ACT test scores for Fall 2022 admission purposes. To find more information on the admission requirements for Fall 2022 please visit the First-time Freshman Guidance website.
If SAT and ACT test scores are submitted, the CSU will use scores for placement in English and mathematics courses. Visit the CSU Student Success site for additional information on placement. If a student has not taken a test, they can opt out of the Standardized Tests section of Cal State Apply.
NOTE: ACT/SAT requirements for the Fall 2023-24 application cycle will be announced by December. Updates will be posted on the First-time Freshman Guidance website.
First-time Freshman Supplemental Admission Factors
Campuses will use a combination of students' “a-g" GPA and supplemental factors to determine admission eligibility. View the 2022-2023 Supplemental Admission Factors Summary and/or review campus specific information on the 2022-2023 First-time Freshman Supplemental Factors by Campus page.
Help students not miss the deadline to apply for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Some but not all campuses have a deadline of January 31, 2022 for EOP applicants. Even if a student has submitted their application to the CSU, they can still go back into Cal State Apply to indicate they are interested in applying for EOP if they haven’t missed the campus’s deadline. To check the deadline for the campus(es), go to EOP Admission by Term. Also, at least one of the recommendations must be from someone who knows the students’ academic history, such as a teacher or counselor. The other recommendation can be from an individual who can comment about student’s potential to succeed in college but cannot be the student or a family member.
Updated Fee Waiver Appeal Form
The Application Fee Waiver Appeal Form has been updated for the 2022-2023 application cycle.
There have been changes in impaction on both campuses and degree programs for the 2022-23 academic year. Impaction means that there are more qualified applicants for a program or campus than can be accommodated. For the most current information, visit the Impaction center on Calstate.edu.
DACA, undocumented or AB540 students should enter “None” as their citizenship status. Under “Residency,” they should select “California” as their state of residency if they consider California their home.
Thank you for all you do for your students!
Sincerely,
California State University
Student Affairs and Enrollment Management