Starting in 2026, California high school seniors can benefit from the California State University (CSU) Direct Admission Program. This initiative, established under Senate Bill 640, aims to simplify the college admission process and increase access to higher education. This builds on the 2025 pilot program for Riverside County in which nearly 17,000 high school students were automatically admitted based on academic achievement.

How It Works

• Automatic Admission: Students who complete the required A–G courses with at least a 2.5 GPA will be automatically admitted to participating CSU campuses.
• No Application Needed: Eligible students will receive an admission offer without the need to submit a traditional application.
• According to CalMatters, the pilot in Riverside County showed that more than 17,000 students received admission offers — boosting awareness and enrollment.
• Application Process: While the initial admission is automatic, students must still complete the Cal State Apply application to finalize their enrollment.

Participating Campuses

16 CSU campuses will participate in the Direct Admission Program, while six impacted campuses will not participate initially due to high demand. These impacted campuses include:

• San Jose State
• San Diego State
• Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
• Cal Poly Pomona
• Cal State Fullerton
• Cal State Long Beach

Students interested in these campuses can still apply through the traditional Cal State Apply process.

Why It Matters

The Direct Admission Program aims to:

• Increase Access: By simplifying the admission process, more students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, can access higher education.
• Reduce Barriers: Eliminating the need for a traditional application reduces stress and costs for students and families.
• Support Success: The program extends the Dual Admission Program (Transfer Success Pathway), providing a clear path for students transferring from community colleges to CSU campuses.

Important Dates

• Effective Date: The law takes effect on January 1, 2026.
• Full Implementation: Statewide participation begins for fall 2027 applicants.
• Priority Application Period: For fall 2026 applicants, the CSU’s direct admissions program—covering RCOE’s 23 districts and 20 others statewide—remains in effect, and eligible students are already receiving notifications.

For more information and updates, visit the CSU Direct Admission Program page.