Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 640 into law on Oct. 6, 2025, expanding the California State University (CSU) system’s direct admissions program from the existing 43 school districts within Riverside County to all 937 school districts across California.
The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, with statewide participation beginning with the fall 2027 admissions cycle. Eligible high school seniors will automatically receive admissions letters from CSU campuses either notifying them of their acceptance, informing them that they are close to qualifying or outlining a community college transfer pathway if they are not yet eligible.
Under the new law, CSU campuses will collaborate with school districts to obtain high school transcript data through the CaliforniaColleges.edu platform, determining eligibility of senior applicants. Students who satisfy the required “A-G” college prep course requirements with a minimum of 2.5 GPA will be considered eligible for direct admissions…