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Transfer Student Admission Process

Applying to Sacramento State as a Transfer Student

Apply for the Spring 2026 semester beginning August 1 through August 31

Apply for the Fall 2025 semester beginning October 1 through February 28

Apply Now!

Types of Transfer Students:

  1. Upper Division Student with 60 Semester/90 Quarter Transferable Units
  2. Lower Division Student with less than 60 Semester/90 Quarter Transferable Units: an applicant who completes fewer than 60 semester (90 quarter) units of college credit is considered a lower-division transfer student.

The deadline to submit the Application Fee Waiver is one week prior to the admission application deadline. Please email the completed form to: adm-processing@csus.edu

Application Fee Waiver Appeal Form

Requirements for Upper Division Transfer Applicants

  1. Complete at least 60 transferable semester units or 90 quarter units (You can check using www.assist.org)
  2. Be in "Good Standing" at the last college or university attended
  3. Have a minimum GPA of 2.0 if you are within our local admission area. If you are outside of our local admission area, the academic characteristics of the transfer applicant pool will determine the GPA minimum.
  4. Meet the Golden 4 Requirements (All Golden courses must be completed with a "C-" grade or better):
    • A1 - Oral Communication
    • A2 - Written Communication
    • A3 - Critical Thinking
    • B4 - Quantitative Reasoning (Mathematics above Intermediate Algebra)
  5. Complete at least 30 units in CSU General Education Breadth or IGETC requirements.

Visit the CSU requirements guides for Transfer Students for more information.

Requirements for Lower Division Transfer Applicants

California resident transfer applicants with fewer than 60 semester or 90 quarter units must:

  • Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better in all transferable units attempted;
  • Have completed, with a grade of C- or better, a course in written communication and a course in mathematics or quantitative reasoning at a level satisfying CSU General Education Breadth Area A2 and B4 requirements, respectively;
  • Be in good standing at the last institution attended; and
  • Meet any one of the following eligibility standards:

Transfer Based on Current Admission Criteria

  • The applicant meets the freshman admission requirements in effect for the term for which the application is filed; - OR -

Transfer Based on High School Eligibility

  • The applicant was eligible as a freshman at the time of high school graduation and has been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation; - OR -

Transfer Based on Making Up Missing Subjects

  • The applicant had a qualifiable eligibility index at the time of high school graduation (combination of GPA and test scores if needed), has made up any missing college preparatory subject requirements with a grade of C- or better, and has been in continuous attendance in an accredited college since high school graduation.
  • One baccalaureate-level course of at least 3 semester (4 quarter) units is usually considered equivalent to one year of high school study.

Local Admission Area

A student transferring with the majority of units from one or more of the following community colleges is considered to be in Sacramento State’s local admission area: American River, Cosumnes River, Folsom Lake, Lake Tahoe, Sacramento City, Sierra, San Joaquin Delta, Solano, Woodland, and Yuba.

Associate Degree For Transfer (ADT)

The California Community Colleges and Sacramento State have created the Associate Degree for Transfer program to make it easier for students like you to start at a community college, transfer to a guaranteed saved spot at a participating four-year university and earn a bachelor’s degree.

It is important for students to contact their local community college for information on meeting the requirements for an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT). For more information regarding the Associate Degree for Transfer program please visit: www.adegreewithaguarantee.com

Learn More About ADT Program

ADT Application Requirements

  • Be pursuing an approved Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program at a California Community College
  • Apply to the corresponding major at Sacramento State
  • Apply by the application deadline and self-report ADT when you submit your application

Note: If you did not report ADT at the time of application, complete the Correction Request for ADT online form.

ADT Verification

Sacramento State must receive confirmation your ADT is in-progress by the following deadlines:

Fall – March 15
Spring – October 31

If you self-reported your ADT on your Cal State Apply application and applied for graduation at your community college by their stated deadline, your community college will provide this documentation to us electronically through eVerify by the deadline.
If you did not self-report your ADT on your Cal State Apply application, or if your college does not participate in the E-Verify system, you must submit an In-Progress Verification Form signed by your community college campus by the deadline listed above.

Submit Signed Form

ADT Validation

Once your ADT is completed and awarded to you by your community college, be sure to submit a new updated official transcript to our office so we can add it to your academic record.

Mail to:

California State University, Sacramento
Office of Admissions & Outreach
6000 J Street MS 6048
Sacramento, CA 95819

Drop off at the Admissions & Outreach Office: In-Person Drop off:
Admissions and Outreach Office located inside the Welcome Center near the J Street Entrance

Before Applying to Sacramento State

All applicants must have all the following items below:

  • A copy of their unofficial transcripts ready before filling out the application. Students will be asked to enter all the courses that have been completed on the CSU application; those that are currently in progress; and any courses you plan to take. Transcripts will be requested by campuses as needed
  • Applicant's Social Security number (if applicable)
  • Applicant's citizenship status. (Citizenship status for the student or parents does not dismiss or qualify a student for admission to Sacramento State.)
  • A method of payment (can be paid by credit card)
  • The annual income of applicant's parents’ if they are a dependent; your income if you are independent
  • CCCID and Campus ID (optional); every California Community College student is assigned a CCCID and a campus-specific ID number. These numbers should be printed on applicant’s transcript
  • Applicant’s parents' employment background and two letters of recommendation (Note: this only applies if you’re applying to EOP)

After You Have Applied for Admission

Once you have applied to Sacramento State there are steps to take to ensure that you remain eligible for admission.

  • Fall semester: Courses satisfying General Education Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4 must be completed by the end of the prior Summer term for fall admission.

    Spring semester: Courses satisfying General Education Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4 must be completed by the end of the prior fall term for spring admission.

    All courses used to meet Golden 4 requirements must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
  • Submit official transcripts with all colleges coursework completed to date, including courses in progress during the spring semester and any official test scores (AP, IB, and CLEP)
    • Sacramento State will automatically receive your transcripts if you have attended one of the Community Colleges listed below:
      • Los Rios Colleges: American River College, Sacramento City College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College
      • Los Angeles Colleges: Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles Harbor College, Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, Los Angeles Valley College, Los Angeles Southwest College, West Los Angeles College, Los Angeles Mission College
      • Other Colleges: Antelope Valley College, Cerritos College, Chabot College, Chaffey College, Cypress College, Fullerton College, Santa Rosa Junior College, Las Positas College

After Admission Decisions Are Made

Note: All admission decisions are considered "conditional" until final transcripts are received, reviewed and certified. Learn more about "Conditional Admissions"

How to deliver official transcripts

Electronic Transcripts
Sacramento State accepts and prefers official electronic transcripts (e-transcripts) from other institutions.
Official e-transcripts must be sent directly from your high school/college to our campus via email at incomingtranscripts@csus.edu. (Faxes are not permitted)

Mail official sealed hard copy transcripts
Sacramento State
Admissions & Outreach
6000 J Street MS 6048
Sacramento, CA 95819

Drop off official sealed hard copy transcripts
Student Service Center Document Drop Box
Lassen Hall, Outside Room #1000
Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

The Welcome Center
Next to Parking Structure 5
Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm

Admission Appeal

If you have been notified that you were not admitted, please take a moment to review CSU admission requirements. Please submit an appeal within 15 days of the notice of non-admission.

Admission Appeal Process

Admission Deferment Request

An admitted student who has cleared all admission conditions and has submitted all official transcripts may request a deferment of their admissions one time per academic year. The request must be for extenuating circumstances. Students may not defer admissions to attend another college. After deferment has been approved, students may not change to a different term, even within an academic term. Deferred students must maintain admission eligibility and meet all applicable deadlines.

  • The deadline for Fall admitted students to defer to the Spring term is August 15.
  • The deadline for Spring admitted students to defer to the Fall term is January 15.

Deferment Request Form