CSU Direct Admission Program for School Districts and High Schools

Guidance and resources to support program implementation and participation

The California State University (CSU) is committed to expanding equitable access to higher education and helping more students see a clear, supported path to earning a CSU degree. The Direct Admission program is a key part of that effort—connecting eligible students to CSU opportunities and reducing barriers in the college-going process.

This page provides school districts, high schools, counselors and educators with the information needed to understand, prepare for and participate in the CSU Direct Admission Program. Updates, timelines, webinars and implementation resources will be shared here as they become available.

Overview

California has enacted SB 640, establishing a statewide CSU Direct Admission Program and expanding access to school districts across California. This legislation builds on the CSU's existing direct admission efforts and extends the university's broader commitment to increasing college access and student success. The legislation took effect on January 1, 2026, with full statewide implementation beginning for students applying for fall 2027 admission.

Through this program, eligible students will be identified using academic data and notified of their admission to participating CSU campuses—creating a more streamlined, data-informed pathway from high school to college.

Who Can Participate

As statewide implementation expands, participation in the CSU Direct Admission Program is open to:

Public high school districts (participation occurs at the district level, rather than by individual schools)
Charter high schools
Private high schools

Getting Started with CSU Direct Admission

Step 1 (May-August)
Review participation requirements

Step 2 (May-August)
Complete the Data Sharing Agreement (MOU)

Step 3 (Summer – Early fall)
Prepare student eligibility data

Step 4 (September)
Submit student data file (submission guidance coming soon)

Step 5 (October through November 30)
Support students through the application submission and next steps

Timeline

The following timeline outlines key participation and implementation milestones for the CSU Direct Admission Program.

Timeline	Activity
May–August	Execute MOU Data Sharing Agreement
August–September	Prepare and submit student data
September–mid-October	CSU sends student mailers
October–November	Students submit Cal State Apply applications

Preview of Participation Requirements

The following materials are provided to help districts and schools understand and prepare for participation in the CSU Direct Admission Program.

Districts and schools are encouraged to review these materials internally.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Template (pdf) Example agreement outlining partnership terms for participation in the CSU Direct Admission Program. Completed MOUs may be submitted here for CSU review and counter signature.
Data File Template (Excel - Preview Format) Sample format of the student data that participating districts will be expected to provide. This template is provided for planning purposes only and should not be submitted at this time.
Sample FERPA Notice for Students and Families (PDF) Example notice that districts may use to inform students and families about student information sharing for the CSU Direct Admission Program, including FERPA-related considerations.

Additional details on data submission, technical requirements and timelines will be shared as they become available.

Webinars

The CSU offers webinars to support school districts, high schools, counselors and educators as implementation of the CSU Direct Admission Program continues.

Watch the recording: CSU Direct Admissions: SB 640 Updates & Next Steps
Register for upcoming webinars: Visit the CSU Counselor Resources Webinars page to view upcoming Direct Admission webinars and register for future sessions.

Stay Informed and Contact Us

Subscribe to CSU High School Counselor Updates to receive notifications when new information and important dates and resources become available.

For questions please email the CSU Direct Admission Program.

Outreach Resources

Resources to support student and family outreach, including digital flyers and additional materials coming soon!

FAQs

Participation & Eligibility

Which campuses are participating in Direct Admission?: 17 CSU campuses are participating in Direct Admission. Impacted campuses including Fullerton, Long Beach, San Diego, San José and San Luis Obispo are not participating at this time. Impacted majors will require additional admission requirements.
Is the list of participating schools or districts available?: Public High School Districts that have already signed an MOU as of December 2025 with the CSU are as follows: Riverside County Office of Education, Bellflower, Capistrano, Chaffey, Compton, Pasadena, San Bernardino, Kern, San Diego, Pierce, Santa Ana, Vacaville, Santa Monica, Malibu. This list will be updated periodically. Schools and districts may contact [email protected] to confirm participation status.
Do districts need to complete the MOU annually?: No. Districts and schools with an executed MOU on file with the CSU Chancellor’s Office will not need to renew the agreement annually. The current agreement will remain in effect through June 30, 2030.
Does participation occur at the district or school level?: Public school district participation occurs at the district level. Charter and private schools not affiliated with a district may participate individually.

Data Sharing & FERPA

Does this CSU Data Sharing MOU affect existing MOUs with CSU campuses?: No. The CSU Data Sharing MOU is for data sharing only. Campus-specific MOUs may include additional services. Districts and schools may have both.
Why are data sharing MOUs required?: Federal law (FERPA) requires agreements for sharing student data beyond directory information. Currently, the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) does not collect certain student biographic data, such as mailing address, which is needed for this program.
Can CSU campuses still have their own MOUs with schools or districts?: Yes. The CSU Direct Admission MOU is specific to data sharing. Campus MOUs may include additional services.
If we already have an MOU with CaliforniaColleges.edu, do we still need an MOU with CSU?: Yes. The CSU Direct Admission MOU is separate from agreements with CaliforniaColleges.edu or CCGI and is required for participation in the CSU Direct Admission Program.

Student Data & Technical Questions

Can individual schools submit files separately if the district signs the MOU?: No. If a district signs an MOU, one file must come from the district. Districts can coordinate with their high schools on the data in order to submit the file.
What if our school does not use CaliforniaColleges.edu?: Schools that do not use CaliforniaColleges.edu may still participate. Additional guidance will be shared as implementation details are finalized.
Private school students do not have SSIDs. Does this affect participation?: No.

Student Communications & Mailers

Do schools or districts pay for mailers?: No.
Will students receive Direct Admission notifications through CaliforniaColleges.edu?: Eligible students attending participating public schools may also see Direct Admission information through CaliforniaColleges.edu, depending on local implementation and CCGI integration.