College application deadlines are approaching. What you need to know

College applications are being accepted for the Fall 2025 semester, and the deadline is approaching.

California’s two public university systems, the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU), provide 32 campuses for state students to choose from.

This is in addition to more than a hundred community colleges that can provide pathways to transfer to other campuses and earn an associate’s degree. Some also offer bachelor’s degrees.

Here are the basics on how and when to use.

When do college applications begin?

It depends on the college or university. The fall 2025 admissions deadline for all UC and CSU undergraduate campuses is December 2, 2024.

There are no specific deadlines for admission to community colleges, but it is generally best to apply early. Private colleges and universities have their own deadlines, most of which fall in mid-January.

Who is eligible to apply to California colleges?

To apply to the UC system, resident students must earn a minimum of a C in the following so-called AG requirements and maintain a GPA in these courses above 3.0 during their sophomore and junior years.

• Four English lessons
• Three math lessons, although four are recommended.
• Two science lessons, although three is recommended.
• Two history lessons
• Two world language courses, although three are recommended.
• One visual or performing arts lesson
• One elective college preparatory class

Eligibility for California residents to apply to CSU is similar to AG requirements, and applicants must have a GPA above 2.50. Students who do not meet the GPA threshold but have a GPA above 2.0 may still be considered for admission based on other additional factors.

These additional factors can range from grade point average in math and science to family income and extracurricular activities.

Individual campuses have their own supplementary materials, which can be found here.

Standardized tests are not required for UC or CSU systems.

How many applications do you need to complete?

This depends on the colleges or universities the student is applying to and whether they are public or private.

There is one application for all UC campuses and another for all CSU campuses, so there is no need to apply to each university separately.

However, many private colleges and universities rely on the Common Application, which has its own universal essay prompts and allows campuses to customize additional requirements, including essays, short answer questions, and letters of recommendation.

What does the application include?

In addition to student assessments, the UC application also requires students to answer four personal questions or short essays of up to 350 words. There are eight hints to choose from. UC also asks applicants to describe their high school experiences, including a list of extracurricular activities and accomplishments.

The California application is much simpler, and the primary factor considered for admission is the student’s college preparatory grades earned after ninth grade.

Generally, the CSU system does not require an essay.

Private campuses often require essays and letters of recommendation.

Are early actions and early decisions good options?

Early Action and Early Decision give students the opportunity to apply early to a college or university and receive their decisions months earlier.

These are more common at private colleges and universities and can be good options if your child is ahead of the game, ready to hit “send” and wants to express a particular interest in the campus.

Here’s the main disadvantage of early decision: if your child is accepted, he will have to enroll in that university and turn down any other offers of admission.

On the other hand, early actions are usually not mandatory. Thus, they may be accepted early and still decide to attend another university.

How much does it cost to go to colleges?

For the UC system, one application is submitted at a cost of $80 per campus selected. Meanwhile, the CSU system charges $70 per campus, and applications to community colleges are free for US residents.

Private campuses vary, but often charge between $50 and $100.

What if you can’t afford to pay the application fee?

The UC System is waiving application fees for four campuses in cases where students are unable to apply without financial aid.

Fees can be waived for students eligible for AB540 benefits and for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

The app itself will notify students if they are eligible once they indicate their income and family size in the “About You” section.

The CSU system also allows students to waive the application fee; and students will automatically know if they are eligible as soon as they complete the application.

Eligibility for CSU benefits follows the same criteria as the UC system, but students must also have resided in California for at least one year.

Like the UC system, a CSU waiver can apply to a maximum of four campuses.

Some private colleges and universities also provide tuition waivers to students who need it.

How do I apply for financial aid?

To receive federal financial aid, it is important to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In California, students should aim to submit the form, which was updated last year to make it simpler, by March 2025.

Here’s another quick EdSource guide on the FAFSA.

The California Dream Act was also updated earlier this year and expanded to also serve students who are U.S. citizens but have parents who do not have a Social Security number.

When should you expect to hear from universities?

Students typically hear back from the colleges they applied to in March—unless they are applying for Early Action or Early Decision.