The California State University (CSU) has partnered with the Riverside County Office of Education to offer the first-ever direct admission pilot for the CSU system. Eligible students at every public high school in Riverside County will soon be offered direct admission to the CSU for the Fall 2025 term, before they even apply.
Qualifying high school seniors in Riverside County—those on track to meet college preparatory courses (A-G requirements)—are being offered immediate, conditional admission to 10 CSU campuses by way of a brochure mailed to their home address. Students will then use the CaliforniaColleges.edu platform to select their preferred CSU campuses, with official acceptance letters to be sent directly from the universities.
“This partnership is Humboldt’s first-ever direct admissions program, and we are excited to offer this opportunity for California students to pursue a polytechnic education amidst the redwoods,” says Chrissy Holliday, vice president of Enrollment Management & Student Success at Cal Poly Humboldt. “We hope to expand direct admissions to other districts across California, leveraging what we learn from this effort, and the power of the California Colleges platform and data partnerships. This is just one way we are rising to meet the needs of our state, in preparing students for their chosen careers and a lifetime of success.”
Cal Poly Humboldt joins Channel Islands, Chico, East Bay, Maritime Academy, Monterey Bay, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Marcos, and Sonoma that will offer direct admission. Riverside students may apply to other CSUs not on the direct admissions list. If a student applies to an impacted program or campus, additional criteria may be required for admission.
Humboldt has a long history of drawing students from Southern California, with 28% of our Fall 2024 students coming from the region. In keeping with Humboldt’s purpose to provide access to higher education, the University saw the percentage of first-generation students increase to 42% of new student enrollments, while Pell grant recipients climbed to 39% of its new student population.
“We are grateful for this ground-breaking partnership with the CSU to expand access to a world-class college education for our diverse and talented students in Riverside County,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “As one of the fastest growing regions in California, the need for college-educated professionals will continue to soar, and this partnership will remove barriers to higher education, welcoming more college-ready students to the CSU system through this innovative direct admission program.”
After direct-admitted students submit their applications, they must continue to meet the A-G requirements and graduate from high school. Once receiving official acceptance from their university of choice, students must confirm their intent to enroll by the campus deadline and complete any additional enrollment steps such as attending orientation, paying tuition fees, and providing final transcripts or other documentation. Students are also encouraged to apply for financial aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) as soon as possible, and no later than the California deadline, which has historically been March 2.
“We are excited to provide a direct pathway to higher education for thousands of high school students across Riverside County,” said April Grommo, CSU assistant vice chancellor of Strategic Enrollment Management. “We want students to know that the door to college opportunity is open to them, and to help relieve some of the stress and uncertainty about applying for college. Riverside County is an excellent location for this first-ever program for the CSU, as it is ethnically and economically representative of the diversity of California, and many of the students the CSU is so proud to serve.”
Eligible students and families can visit calstate.edu/rcoe for more information.
CLICK TO MANAGE