Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to pass the high school exit exam to be eligible for admission?
- Are there any impacted majors at CSUSB?
- Can I earn college credit while still attending high school?
- What are the basic freshman admission requirements?
- What does CSUSB consider to be its local service area?
- Where can I find out about financial aid and scholarships?
- When and where should I send my official transcripts?
- Should I submit a personal statement or letters of recommendation for admission?
- How do I apply?
- Are there any deadlines?
- After I submit my online application, when will I hear from CSUSB?
Do I need to pass the high school exit exam to be eligible for admission?
Freshman applicants must submit an official final transcript showing that they graduated from high school.
Are there any impacted majors at CSUSB?
An impacted major is one where more applications are received from eligible students during the initial filing period than the campus can enroll. Nursing is currently the only undergraduate major that is impacted at Cal State San Bernardino.
If you are interested in nursing, please be sure to file your application for admission during the initial filing period and be aware that there will be additional requirements to be admitted into the nursing program at a later time.
All eligible students who chose to apply to the nursing program will be admitted to the university as pre-nursing students. Additional requirements must be met prior to official admission to the nursing program.
California residents are the only students who will be admitted to the nursing major.
Can I earn college credit while still attending high school?
Yes. You can earn college credit for completing Advanced Placement examinations with a score of 3 or better or by passing higher-level International Baccalaureate examinations with a 4 or higher.
You may also enroll in community college courses and possibly earn credits toward your university degree while you are still in high school. To ensure you receive course credit, make sure that the courses you take at the community college are transferable to CSUSB by checking the ASSIST website.
What are the basic freshman admission requirements?
All CSU campuses use a combination of your high school college preparatory grade point average and your score from either the SAT or ACT. Your GPA and test score are used to determine an eligibility index. The requirements for out-of-state non-resident students are higher than the requirements for California residents.
Students must also complete this A-G college preparatory pattern of courses with grades of “C” or better:
| Subject | Years |
|---|---|
| English | 4 years |
| Math (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II) | 3 years |
| Laboratory Science (1 Life, 1 Physical) | 2 years |
| Language other than English> | 2 years |
| Visual/ Performing Art | 1 year |
| Social Science (1 US His/Am Govt, 1 World His/Geog/Cultures) | 2 years |
| Elective (any college prep course taken in addition to those above) | 1 year |
Acceptable courses from your high school may be found at UC Doorways.
Local Area Eligibility Index
We will also use a combination of your high school college preparatory grade point average and your score from either the SAT or ACT. Your GPA and test score are used to determine an eligibility index.
3.0 and above qualifies with any score
| GPA | ACT score | SAT score* |
|---|---|---|
2.99 |
10 |
510 |
2.80 |
14 |
660 |
2.65 |
17 |
780 |
2.40 |
22 |
980 |
2.25 |
25 |
1100 |
2.10 |
28 |
1220 |
2.00 |
30 |
1300 |
Below 2.0 does not qualify for regular admission.
*The SAT score is based on the Critical Reading and Math scores only.
Out of Local Area Eligibility Index
We will also use a combination of your high school college preparatory grade point average and your score from either the SAT or ACT. Your GPA and test score are used to determine an eligibility index.
3.5 and above qualifies with any score
| GPA | ACT score | SAT score* |
|---|---|---|
3.45 |
15 |
740 |
3.10 |
22 |
1020 |
2.95 |
27 |
1220 |
2.75 |
29 |
1290 |
Out-of-state/non-resident students
The eligibility index requirements for out-of-state, non-resident students are higher than for California residents. For non-resident students, a GPA of 3.61 or higher qualifies with any test score. A 2.45 is the minimum regular admission GPA.
What does CSUSB consider to be its local service area?
CSUSB has defined its local service area for fall 2011 to include public school districts within San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Some private and parochial schools have been accounted for within the local area as well.
Local Area School Districts within San Bernardino County include:
- Apple Valley Unified
- Chaffey Joint Unified High
- Colton Joint Unified
- Fontana Unified
- Hesperia Unified
- Morongo Unified
- Redlands Unified
- Rialto Unified
- Rim of the World Unified
- San Bernardino City Unified
- Victor Valley Union High
- Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified
Private and parochial schools within San Bernardino County include:
- Academy for Academic Excellence
- Apple Valley Christian Baptist
- Aquinas High School
- Arrowhead Christian Academy
- Bloomington Christian K-12
- Calvary Chapel Christian School
- Hesperia Christian School
- Loma Linda Academy
- Ontario Christian High
- Public Safety Academy
- Sherman Indian High School
- Victor Valley Christian School
Local Area School Districts within Riverside County include:
- Banning Unified
- Beaumont Unified
- Coachella Valley Unified
- Desert Sands Unified
- Jurupa Unified
- Moreno Valley Unified
- Palm Springs Unified
- Riverside Unified
Private and parochial schools within Riverside County include:
- Baptist Christian
- California Lutheran High School
- Christian School of the Desert
- Palm Springs Christian High School
- Riverside Christian High School
- Woodcrest Christian School
Where can I find out about financial aid and scholarships?
Most importantly, be aware that you should never have to pay anyone for information regarding financial aid. Free applications for student aid are available online or at the financial aid center on campus.
All government grants, scholarships and loan applications for financial aid are available at FAFSA.
Free federal assistance is available to all students who demonstrate financial need. Cal Grant money will help qualifying state residents. Scholarships are available to students who meet their application requirements.
Aid is also available to help students and their parents pay for any college expenses through loans.
Financial Aid Office includes Cal States San Bernardino’s own scholarship opportunities and application information.
The Campaign for College Opportunity is a scholarship contest open to all California 6th – 12th grade students. Eligible students are allowed to enter the contest each year.
When and where should I send my official transcripts?
Students should send a transcript along with SAT or ACT test scores after submitting an application to the university. If this transcript does not verify you have already graduated from high school, you will also need to send in a final transcript that shows your graduation date when you complete high school.
Mail any transcripts to:
CSUSB
Admissions & Student Recruitment
5500 University Parkway
San Bernardino, CA 92407
Should I submit a personal statement or letters of recommendation for admission?
The general CSU undergraduate application does not require a student to write any essay or submit any letters of recommendation. If you are applying to our Educational Opportunity Program, supplemental information is necessary.
How do I apply?
You may submit an application online at CSUMentor. All applicants must pay a non-refundable, non-transferable processing fee of $55 for every CSU application submitted unless qualified for a fee waiver. Qualified students may apply for a need based fee waiver that may be used for up to four campuses.
Are there any deadlines?
Each campus has its own application deadlines. The priority application period for fall applications is Oct. 1 through Nov. 30 in the year prior to when you will attend. In other words, if you plan on beginning in the fall of 2010, you would apply by Nov. 30, 2009, to be considered in the priority filing period.
The deadline to submit your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) is March 2. Submit your application early so that you will be in a better position to receive money for which you may be eligible.
Cal State San Bernardino’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) also has a March 2 priority application deadline. There may still be spaces available after the deadline, but applying early will grant you access to all of the services that EOP has for you prior to the beginning of the school year.
On-campus housing in Serrano Village is guaranteed for first –year students who apply by the priority deadline in March. Contact our Housing Office for more details.
After I submit my online application, when will I hear from CSUSB?
If you have a confirmation number from CSUMentor, you should hear from Cal State San Bernardino within approximately two weeks. If you have not received any acknowledgement of your application after that time, please contact us by phone at (909) 537-5188 or by e-mail at moreinfo@csusb.edu.
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