The California State University (CSU) application dates page shows that the priority application filing period for fall 2027 entry runs from August 1 to November 30, 2026, that submission opened October 1, and that the page was last updated October 5, 2026. The transfer application fee is $70 per campus, and some students qualify for a fee waiver. Students at Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College who plan to transfer to a CSU campus in fall 2027 have seven weeks left to submit.
Who Is Affected by the CSU Transfer Priority Filing Period
Students at California community colleges who plan to transfer to the CSU next fall. The transfer page divides applicants into four types: the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), the Transfer Success Pathway, upper-division transfer, and lower-division transfer. The dates page notes that the priority period may vary by applicant type and that many campuses and majors still accept applicants after it ends. The requirements for the two main paths:
| Path | CSU policy |
|---|---|
| Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) | An AA-T or AS-T degree of no more than 60 semester units; the degree earned or in progress at the time of application, with at least 18 semester units in the major and a completed CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC pattern; students who meet the minimum requirements are guaranteed priority admission to a CSU campus, though not to a particular campus or major; after transferring into a similar program, the bachelor’s degree is guaranteed within a further 60 semester units |
| Upper-division transfer | At least 60 transferable semester units completed before entry, including 30 semester units of general education; a GPA of 2.0 or better across all transferable courses, with higher GPAs possible for high-demand programs and campuses; good standing at the last college attended; one course with a grade of C- or better in each of four areas: oral communication, written communication, critical thinking, and mathematics |
| General education | Effective fall 2025, Cal-GETC is the statewide lower-division general education pathway, and community colleges can certify up to 34 semester units |
| Full campuses | Applicants with a verified ADT who meet upper-division eligibility but are not admitted to their chosen campus for lack of space are redirected to another campus |
What to Do Now About the CSU Transfer Application
Submit by November 30 rather than waiting past the priority period. Use the “still accepting applications” lookup on the dates page to confirm the intended major is open; high-demand programs may require a higher GPA.
Check units and GPA against the requirements. The CSU Transfer Planner lets students log community college coursework, track general education progress, and compare their GPA with transfer requirements; course equivalencies are on ASSIST. The two local community colleges are profiled at Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College.
Students also applying to the University of California should view both calendars together. The UC transfer filing period is covered in UC Transfer Filing Period Opens October 1; the CSU first-year application is covered in CSU Opens Application Submission on October 1. Overall transfer planning is covered by the EDUBUS Community College to UC Transfer service.
Sources
- California State University: Application Dates & Deadlines (accessed October 11, 2026)
- California State University: Transfer (accessed October 11, 2026)
- California State University: CCC-Associate Degree for Transfer (accessed October 11, 2026)
- California State University: Upper-Division Transfer (accessed October 11, 2026)
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