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Returning Students Admissions

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Returning Students

Welcome back to Sac!

We are excited that you are exploring your options for completing your degree back at Sacramento State! We know that unforeseen circumstances can happen and sometimes our educational goals are interrupted. It’s not too late to return to Sac State to fulfill your goals. Explore the information below to understand how you will return to Sac State in the future.

Please select the category of your returning status, and review the eligibility requirements, application process, and deadlines. Each category will require a review process to determine eligibility for readmission or reinstatement. Students will be notified via email regarding the final decision.

Review our Frequently Asked Questions for more clarification on returning to Sacramento State.

Readmission with Good Academic Standing (Spring 2025/Fall 2025)

Previously enrolled students who have not enrolled at Sacramento State for two or more consecutive semesters and are left in good academic standing must complete the readmission form to apply.

Application Available

Term Deadline to submit Readmission Form to Apply Deadline to meet eligibility requirements by
Spring 2025 December 6, 2024 End of Fall 2024
Fall 2025 August 1, 2025 End of Summer 2025

Readmission with Academic Probation Standing (Spring 2025/Fall 2025)

Previously enrolled students who have not enrolled at Sacramento State for two or more consecutive semesters and were placed on academic probation, are eligible to reapply. Students must complete the readmission form to apply. Students placed on Continued Probation will be limited to a maximum course load of 14 units per semester until they return to academic good standing.

Application Available

Term Deadline to submit Readmission Form to Apply Deadline to meet eligibility requirements by
Spring 2025 December 6, 2024 End of Fall 2024
Fall 2025 August 1, 2025 End of Summer 2025

Reinstatement after Disqualification (Fall 2025)

Students who have been disqualified from the university are eligible to re-apply to return to the Sac State after meeting specific guidelines. Students disqualified before Fall 2024 can reapply for our Fall 2025 semester starting October 1.


Eligibility requirements:

  • Successful completion (C- or better) of Admission requirements: A1-Oral Communication; A2-Written Communication; A3-Critical Thinking; and B4-Quantitative Reasoning (math) by the end of Fall for Spring enrollment, and Summer for Fall enrollment.
  • Completion of all possible lower-division coursework (General Education and major prerequisites) by the end of Fall for Spring enrollment, and Summer for Fall enrollment.
  • 60 transferable units (junior standing) by the end of Fall for Spring enrollment, and Summer for Fall enrollment.
  • Apply to a non-impacted major

Application for Reinstatement after Disqualification must be completed through the Readmission Form to Apply.

Applications for Fall 2025 available until December 15, 2024.

Application Available

Reinstatement after Dismissal (Fall 2025)

There are two steps in the dismissal petitioning process:

  1. Submit a Fall 2025 Readmission Form (available October 1)
  2. Submit a “Readmission after Dismissal” statement

Eligibility requirements:

  1. Successful completion (C- or better) of Admission requirements: A1-Oral Communication; A2-Written Communication; A3-Critical Thinking; and B4-Quantitative Reasoning (math) by the end of Fall for Spring enrollment, and Summer for Fall enrollment.
  2. Completion of all possible lower-division coursework (General Education and major prerequisites) by the end of Fall for Spring enrollment, and Summer for Fall enrollment.
  3. 60 transferable units (junior standing) by the end of Fall for Spring enrollment, and Summer for Fall enrollment.
  4. Apply to a non-impacted major
  5. Submit your Dismissal Statement to reinstatement@csus.edu

Reinstatement after Dismissal Process:

The reinstatement process requires that students submit a one-page written statement addressing the following:

  • Problems that lead to dismissal
  • Specific changes made to resolve these problems
  • Reason for choosing intended major

Submit your Dismissal Statement to reinstatement@csus.edu as an attachment. (Please send your statement with your Full Name and Sac State ID as the email subject)

Application for Reinstatement after Dismissal must be completed through the Readmission Form to Apply.

Applications for Fall 2025 available October 1 - December 15, 2025

Application Available

Second Start

Sacramento State is dedicated to providing affordable, quality education and supporting students needing a second chance. The Second Start program aims to reduce administrative barriers for returning students and allow students to improve their CSU GPA.

Eligibility requirements:

Returning students who wish to participate in the CSU Second Start Pilot Program must meet the following criteria:

  • Intention to re-enroll in an undergraduate degree program at CSUS.
  • Been absent from CSUS for at least three years and have not attended any other college or university.
  • Have less than a 2.00 CSUS GPA.
  • Successfully complete a minimum of 12 units of graded coursework at a 2.5 GPA or better within 12 months of returning back to CSUS.
  • Earn a minimum of 30 new units in residence at CSUS after starting the Second Start program.

Students in the program do not need to pursue their original major. They can choose a different major and plan their degree progress with the help of academic advisors.

Fill out an Interest Form today!

Questions?

Reach out to secondstart@csus.edu with your inquiries and we will respond as soon as we can!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is considered a returning student?

You are a returning student if:

  • You were previously enrolled at Sac State, but have not been enrolled for two or more consecutive fall and spring terms
  • You left the university in good academic standing
  • You have not attended another college or university after leaving Sac State

You are a returning transfer student if:

  • You were previously enrolled at Sac State, but have not been enrolled for two or more consecutive fall and spring terms
  • You left the university in good academic standing
  • You have attended another college or university after leaving Sac State
  • You have not received a Bachelor’s degree from another institution since last attending Sac State

Returning transfer students will be required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended after attending Sac State. In order to be eligible for readmission, students will need to have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (including work at Sac State) and be in good academic standing at the last institution attended.

Please Note: Readmission to the university does not guarantee readmission to an impacted major. Students who wish to be readmitted to impacted majors will need to meet all application deadlines including submitting supplemental applications if required.

Q: How do I know if I was in Good Academic Standing, on Academic Probation, Disqualified or Dismissed?

If you need more clarification on your current academic status or to schedule an appointment with an Admissions Counselor to discuss your best option, please contact the Reinstatement Representative at reinstatement@csus.edu. If you wish to know your academic standing, please provide your Full Name, Date of Birth, and/or Sac State 9-digit identification number on the email.

Q: How long will it take for my application to be reviewed and completed?

The length of your review process depends on your status as a Returning or Reinstatement after Disqualification or Dismissal.

Q: Who is eligible to complete the Re-entry Form?

Only students planning to return as domestic undergraduate students should complete the form.

Please Note: International students planning to return to Sac State should contact the Office of International Admissions. Domestic graduate students planning to return to Sac State should contact the Office of Graduate Studies.

Q: What happens after I submit the Readmission form?

Please complete the form as completely and accurately as possible. After you submit the form, you will receive an e-mail either:

  • Letting you know that your re-enrollment at the university has been approved and describing the steps you need to take for enrollment
  • Requesting additional information so that we can determine your eligibility for re-enrollment or
  • Notifying you that you are ineligible for re-enrollment at this time and providing information why
  • After your re-entry has been approved, you will receive an e-mail informing you of your enrollment appointment time. You must re-enroll in the term for which you are approved. If you do not, you will need to apply for re-entry for a future term

Q: What resources are available to returning students?

Spring Checklist

Spring Checklist

Fall Checklist

Fall Checklist