Additional Info & Helpful Links
Community College (CCC)
Fresno Unified are expected to launch their California Community College application from CaliforniaColleges.edu. However, these links are included in case you need to return to either OpenCCC or the State Center Community College account.
The California Community Colleges system consists of 116 colleges throughout our state. A California Community College (CCC) may be the best fit for you if:
You need an associate degree or certificate for the career you want.
You want to prepare to transfer to a four-year college.
You want to spend less money on college tuition. CCCs have the lowest fees in the nation.
You want to stay close to home. With 116 campuses across California, there is probably a CCC close to you.
You want to get a head start on earning college credit while you’re still in high school.
OpenCCC Sign In
State Center Community College Sign In
California State University (CSU)
The CSU system is made up of 23 campuses across the state of California. Every year, the 23 campuses of the CSU welcome tens of thousands of freshmen. This is the place to start your own journey to a successful college career — and a degree.
What do you want to study? What career do you see yourself working in? Deciding on a major and degree is an important part of applying to the CSU. Explore degrees across our 23 campuses to find the course of study that's right for you!
The CSU application (Cal State Apply) opens October 1 and the application deadline is November 30.
One application for all 23 campuses!
Students who qualify for a fee waiver can apply to up to 4 campuses for FREE!
Cal State Apply Sign In
MyFresnoState Portal Sign In
University of California (UC) & Private Colleges
University of California (UC)
The UC system is made up of 9 undergraduate campuses (Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, UCLA, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz). Ready for your next challenge? The UC Application is now open!
The UC Application opened August 1 and the application deadline is November 30, but don't wait until the last minute to submit your application!
Applying to UC is a lot simpler than you'd think. That's because you can apply for as many campuses as you like — with just one application.
Students who qualify for a fee waiver can apply to up to 4 campuses for FREE.
Independent, Nonprofit Colleges & Universities in California (Private Colleges)
The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) is comprised of 85 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities in California.
Make sure to research each school's admission requirements and application deadlines.
Many will use the Common Application, but some will have their own applications.
California Independent Colleges & Universities
Financial Aid
An FSA ID is a username and password that gives you the access to Federal Student Aid's online systems and can serve as your legal signature. Both student and parent need to create their own FSA IDs.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is used to apply for Cal Grants and financial aid from the federal government, including federal Pell Grants, as well as financial aid from colleges.
The FAFSA® opens October 1, 2021
Apply as soon as it opens!
Complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) allows students interested in attending eligible California Colleges, Universities and Career Education Programs to apply for state financial aid. This is unrelated to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The CADAA opens October 1, 2021
Apply as soon as it opens!
Standardized Tests
CSU Test Updates
The California State University (CSU) will temporarily suspend the use of ACT/SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses for the 2021-2022 academic year.
California residents and graduates of California high schools will be eligible for admission by earning a 2.50 or greater “a-g" GPA.
Any California high school graduate or resident of California earning a GPA between 2.00 and 2.49 may be evaluated for admission based upon supplemental factors such as number of courses exceeding minimum “a-g" requirements, household income, extracurricular involvement, and other available information that would inform the campus admission decision. Each CSU campus will determine the supplemental factors used with GPA to determine eligibility in these cases and communicate these criteria publicly for prospective students.
Non-California residents may be eligible for admission to the CSU by earning a 3.00 or greater “a-g" GPA along with other supplemental factors utilized by the individual campus, including those outlined by impacted campuses and programs.
This temporary change of admission requirements will also apply to impacted CSU campuses and programs. Campuses and programs designated as impacted may utilize higher “a-g" GPA thresholds for applicants, as well as identify supplemental criteria and their relative weights, in making admission decisions. However, in no case will standardized test scores be utilized in making admissions decisions for applicants during the 2021-2022 academic year.
University of California Test Updates
The SAT or ACT I was planning to take was cancelled. If I'm applying for Fall 2021, am I still required to take the test?
The University recognizes the challenges that students are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, in response, UC is temporarily suspending the standardized test requirement for students applying for fall 2021 freshman admission only.
Can I take the SAT or ACT and submit scores if I want to?
Students applying for fall 2021 are not precluded from taking standardized tests (SAT or ACT) and sending scores if they are able. Doing so can support their statewide UC eligibility, application for certain scholarships, and help them fulfill some University graduation requirements. Campuses will adjust their internal processes accordingly to ensure that no student is harmed in admissions selection should they not submit a test score. This modification to the test requirement is not intended as an admissions policy shift but is rather a temporary accommodation driven by the current extraordinary circumstances.
