Applying to college? What students and families should know this application season

The college application process can be both exciting and overwhelming. Between different application portals, financial aid deadlines, scholarships, and essays, the process can be time-consuming. This guide breaks down what students and families need to know when applying to the California State University, University of California, and California Community College systems, as well as deadlines for FAFSA, California Dream Act and local scholarships.

California State University

The California State University system is the largest public university system in the United States, consisting of 23 campuses, including Stan State, Sacramento State and Fresno State.

Applications for fall 2026 will open on Oct. 1 -Nov. 30. Applicants are required to have completed a minimum of 15 college-preparatory courses, referred to as A-G courses. California applicants are required to have a minimum 2.5 GPA, whereas out-of-state applicants are required to have a 3.0 GPA. Essays, as well as ACT and SAT scores, are not required in the CSU application. Applications cost $70 per campus, but fee waivers are available.

University of California

The University of California system comprises 10 campuses, 9 of which offer undergraduate degrees. Applications for fall 2026 open in August and students can submit their application between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30.

Like CSU, applicants are required to have completed a minimum of 15 college-preparatory courses. However, students must complete 11 of these courses before their senior year. California residents are required to hold a minimum 3.0 GPA, while non-residents are required to have a 3.4 GPA.

Applicants must answer four Personal Insight Questions, which offer students the space to describe challenges, strengths, extracurricular activities, or passions through writing. Standardized test scores are not required in the UC application. Applications cost $80 per campus, but fee waivers are available.

California Community College

The California Community College system encompasses 116 community colleges across the state, offering associate degrees and transfer pathways to both CSU and UC institutions through TAG, Transfer Admission Guarantee.

Applications are open year-round and vary for each campus. For the fall 2026 cycle, applicants should apply by spring 2026.

Programs like the California College Promise Program and the California College Promise Grant reduce the cost of attending a California Community College, where eligible students can attend their first two years tuition-free.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Students seeking financial aid can apply to FAFSA or the California Dream Act.

FAFSA applications open in December 2025 and will close in the spring of 2026. Students who are citizens, or eligible non-citizens, can apply by providing tax returns from the previous year and social security numbers.

Students who are undocumented with DACA status, temporary protected status, or holding U visas, can submit a California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Student applicants are required to have attended a California high school for at least three years, graduated or attained a GED, and intend to enroll in a California college or university.

Local organizations offer scholarships, including Stanislaus Community Foundation and Modesto Rotary Club Scholarships. Both organizations will open applications for 2026 in the upcoming spring.

This story was originally published July 29, 2025 at 6:00 AM.