Completing Your CSU Application
Cal State Apply is the online application system used by all 23 CSU campuses. It allows students to apply to multiple campuses through one centralized platform. Most questions about the application process - including how to report courses, including repeated courses - can be answered by using the video tutorial or PDF guide linked below.
You can create a Cal State Apply account as soon as the application cycle opens for your admission term - October 1 for fall admission and August 1 for spring admission. If you’ve created a Cal State Apply account in the past, you may use your prior log-in information and your saved information will populate. If you’ve created a CSU Transfer Planner, use the same login email; this will allow your saved course information to carry over directly into your application.
Application Assistance
Many CSU campuses offer virtual workshops and application walkthroughs to support students during the application period. SDSU may also provide both virtual and on-campus support for transfer applicants. In addition, the San Diego City College Transfer Center will host multiple Application Labs throughout the transfer season to assist students with completing their application.
Be sure to check our events page regularly for updated workshop dates, deadlines, and support opportunities.
Please note: Students are responsible for ensuring that all information entered into their transfer applications is accurate. While the Transfer Center is here to support you, we cannot assume responsibility for the content you submit in your application.
Application Guide & Tutorial
Each October, the CSU provides an updated Cal State Apply Transfer Application Guide to walk students through each section of the application. The most current version will be shared as soon as it is available from the CSU.
Several CSU campuses create video tutorials to help students navigate the Cal State Apply process. We’ve included the SDSU Fall 2025 Application Tutorial below. It's a helpful resource no matter which CSU you apply to.
View SDSU Fall 2025 CSU Application Tutorial Series:
CSU Application Fees
The fee to apply to the CSU is $70 per campus. Some students may qualify for an application fee waiver. Students who are part of EOPS at San Diego City College qualify for fee waivers. If you are an EOPS student and you do not automatically receive the fee waiver for CSU, please email Cal State Apply at Calstateapply@calstate.edu. For EOPS students who have reached their limit of four CSU admissions application fee waivers, please contact the San Diego City College EOPS Department to see if additional support may be available.
If you are not part of EOPS, not eligible for application fee waivers, and are experiencing a financial hardship, the Transfer Center may have a limited number of application fee waivers available. Stop by Room A-301, call us at 619-388-3722, or email citytran@sdccd.edu to ask about availability.
Completing Your CSU Academic History Update
After submitting the Cal State Apply application during the fall semester, students will be required to complete an Academic History Update during the month of January. This update allows students to report their final fall grades and any changes to planned spring coursework. CSU campuses use this information to finalize admission decisions, so it’s important to complete the update accurately and on time. Students who do not complete the Academic History Update by the deadline will have an incomplete application and will not be considered for admission in many cases.
Cal State Apply Applicant Help Center
Technical Support for Your CSU Application
If you experience any technical issues while using the Cal State Apply platform - such as error messages, trouble logging in, or problems saving your application - you can reach out directly to Cal State Apply Technical Support. Their contact information is available below and they are best equipped to help resolve technical problems.
Email: CalStateApply@liaisoncas.com
Phone: 857-304-2087
M-F, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT
Have your CAS ID# and allow up to 3 business days for a response.
Top Tips for Applying to the California State University
More Tips for Completing Your CSU Transfer Application
Your application is a key component of the admission process at the CSU campuses. It takes time to complete your application accurately. Here are a few additional tips to support your successful application submission:
- Start your application early. Give yourself plenty of time to complete your application, review it carefully, and handle any technical issues or corrections before the deadline.
- You must declare a major at the time of application. If you are applying to multiple campuses, check the exact name of the major at each school. Be sure you're selecting the correct major at each campus. In most cases, you won't be able to change your major after submitting the application.
- Prepare application materials such as transcripts, current and planned courses, annual household income, citizenship status and social security number (if applicable).
- Have a credit card/debit card or Paypal account to pay the $70 application fee (per campus), unless you qualify for an application fee waiver. Note: Cal State Apply automatically evaluates fee waiver eligibility based on the information entered in the application. If eligible, the waiver will be applied to up to four campuses upon application submission - no separate form is needed.
- Have each of your unofficial transcripts in front of you when entering your academic history. Enter your coursework in the order you completed the course (by semester) on your transcript. Be sure to enter each term (fall/spring/summer) separately and in the correct order, and each college separately within the San Diego Community College District. Do not enter Mesa or Miramar courses in the City College transcript section. Enter those as though they are a separate college (because they are!).
- If you completed your transfer courses at any of the California Community Colleges, your courses should populate in academic history area. If you need to manually enter any of your coursework, be sure to select the transferable box if the course is transferable.
- If you received academic renewal for any of your courses, please indicate it appropriately on your application.
- Be sure you know whether your courses are semester or quarter units and entered appropriately. SDCCD operates on the semester system.
- Complete your Academic History Update during the month of January to report your fall grades and confirm your spring classes. This deadline is important.
- Attend a transfer application lab hosted by the Transfer Center for support with your
application. Review the events page for application labs and workshops.