California State University, Stanislaus, officials held their breath earlier this month, not knowing whether some qualified students would have to be turned away.

But, after moving up the winter and spring deadlines by three months, the university received fewer applications than in past years -- and all students who qualify are expected to get in.

Officials had been planning to turn away lower priority students, such as those from out of state and foreign students, in the event that too many people applied for the winter and spring terms.

Still, some students are disappointed. They are the ones who did not get their applications in on time, and are just finding out that they missed the deadline -- usually when they come in to pick up applications.

"They're pretty shocked," said Leticia Cavazos, transfer center counselor at Modesto Junior College. "I think a lot of people are not aware about the early deadlines because they're so used to applying so much later."

Aug. 12 was the last day to apply for the winter term at Stanislaus State, and Sept. 12 was the spring semester deadline.

Of the 23 campuses in the California State University system, 12 are not accepting any applications for spring this year, said Clara Potes-Fellow, a CSU spokeswoman.

All CSU campuses are being held to strict, state-mandated enrollment limits as a result of the state budget crisis.

Stan State is limited to enrollment growth of 2.1 percent, instead of the 6 percent figure from the past few years.

Enrollment today is about 8,128, said Roger Pugh, assistant vice president of enrollment management.

"That's pretty much right on our target," he said, even though the fall number is up 3.8 percent.

The advanced deadlines for winter and spring led to fewer applications, so Pugh said he figures the university's annual growth rate will balance out to 2.1 percent.

The university received 500 fewer applications for the spring semester this year, compared with last year. And about 335 fewer people applied for winter session, sandwiched between the 14-week fall and spring semesters.

There is one exception to the early enrollment cutoff. Because the university's teacher education program advertised a priority filing period of Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, Stanislaus State still is taking applications for that program.

"We have a great need out there for qualified teachers," Pugh said.

At MJC, meanwhile, Cavazos said that a couple of prospective transfer students told her they plan to take a semester off, after missing the Stanislaus State deadline. Others plan to take a few MJC classes, she said.

Cavazos said she believes there still are some students who are not aware that they missed the deadline. "It's not pretty," she said.

MJC spokeswoman Linda Hoile said students may want to take advantage of transfer agreements that the college has with several four-year universities. That way they are assured of getting in if they meet certain requirements.

MJC has transfer agreements with University of California campuses at Davis, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Riverside, and San Jose State University. The UC Santa Barbara agreement is new this year.

Cavazos said MJC has never had such an agreement with Stanislaus State "because we have such a good rapport with them that they will pretty much accept any of our students who have met the minimum requirements."