Applications to apply for the Fall 2026 semester are now open

A​pplications for the California State University's (CSU) fall 2026 term will open on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Prospective students can apply for admission to any of the CSU's 22 universities through the Cal State Apply system-wide portal at Calstate.edu/apply. Please note that the priority application period closes on December 1, 2025.

"With 22 universities and an unparalleled range of academic programs, the CSU provides students with more opportunities and pathways to success than any other public university system in the country," said April Grommo, CSU assistant vice chancellor for Strategic Enrollment Management. "Affordable tuition and comprehensive financial aid ensure that a CSU education remains within reach for students of all backgrounds, opening doors to a four-year degree and lifelong achievement."

The CSU is the country's largest four-year public university system, providing opportunities to a broadly diverse student body and empowering those students with the skills and knowledge to thrive and become leaders in the changing workforce. In fact, the CSU's 22 campuses consistently rank among the top universities across the nation for quality education, ensuring access and affordability, and serving as an engine of social mobility.​

While continuously striving to meet high academic standards and provide a premier college experience, the CSU remains the most affordable universities in the country. Strong financial aid programs enable many CSU students to pursue their degrees and significantly reduce their costs. Over 60% of CSU's undergraduates have their full tuition covered by grants and non-loan aid, and nearly 80% receive some financial support.

Cal State Apply Portal

The CSU makes exploring and applying to its 22 universities easy with the Cal State Apply portal. Incoming first-year, transfer, graduate, and international students can learn about each CSU and the thousands of degrees offered, as well as the various admissions requirements and deadlines. ​​​When students are ready to apply, the Cal State Apply online application allows them to include ​multiple CSUs with a single application.

The application fee per university is $70. However, the CSU offers a California resident undergraduate application fee waiver, and nearly half of all applicants will qualify to have the $70 fee waived for up to four universities. Learn more by visiting the​ Application Fee Waiver website.

Apply for Financial Aid

The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) opened on September 24, 2025. While the state deadline to file these applications is March 2, 2026, the CSU encourages students to submit as early as possible. In order to be considered for financial aid, prospective and returning students must submit the FAFSA form each academic year. Students who are classified as AB540 will need to complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), which opens Oct. 1.​​ (Learn more about financial aid​.)

For more information about the application process or details about any of the 22 CSU campuses and their degree programs, visit www.calstate.edu/apply.

Also find some answers to frequently asked questions on "What You Need to Know About Applying to the CSU."

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About the California State University

The California State University is the nation's largest four-year public university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 460,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU's 22 universities* provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in​​​​ national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending nearly 125,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU newsroom.

* Transition to 22 universities in progress (Cal Poly and Cal Maritime integrating). The integration process is anticipated to be complete by fall 2026.