How Will COVID-19 Affect Your College and Financial Aid Applications?
Below are critical COVID-19 updates for California colleges and financial aid.
California State University Response on Admissions to COVID-19
The California State University is committed to helping high school students overcome college admissions challenges presented by the physical closures of schools. The CSU has taken steps to ensure students are not adversely impacted by these disruptions and can achieve their CSU education as scheduled.
To help high school students overcome the college admissions challenges presented by the physical closures of schools, The CSU has temporarily relaxed some undergraduate admissions standards for newly admitted students to account for changes in grading and administration of standardized tests. All CSU campuses are prepared to be as flexible as possible when working with fall 2020 applicants on meeting admission requirements and selection. This flexibility will vary by university and potentially by major applied due to impaction. Therefore, you will need to check your college email and campus portals regularly for updates. Guidance for incoming First-Time First-Year Students for Fall 2020 can be found here.
Admission Updates
- The CSU will be as flexible as possible about admission requirements.
- Pass/No Pass or Credit/No Credit courses completed in winter, spring, or summer 2020 can count toward “a-g” requirements. (The CSU will still only use graded courses to calculate your GPA.)
- It’ll be up to each campus to decide whether or not to extend the intent to enroll or housing deposit deadlines.
- The CSU won’t offer the Early Start Program in Summer 2020. Your campus may still offer Summer Bridge or other summer programs virtually.
- Scores of 3, 4, or 5 on spring 2020 AP exams can still count for college credit even though the exam format is different.
Resources
- High School Guidance - First-time and First-Year Students.
- CSU Coronavirus Updates.
- Contact your CSU for resources and information specific to your campus.
University of California Response on Admissions to COVID-19
In addition, UC has temporarily relaxed some undergraduate admissions policies to ensure high school and transfer students are not penalized by their inability to earn letter grades for academic classes or take standardized tests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Admission Updates
- May 1 is still the deadline for freshmen to accept an offer of admission. (UC calls this the Statement of Intent to Register.) If you need more time or can’t pay your deposit, contact the admissions office.
- The UC is temporarily easing up on admission requirements.
- If you apply for fall 2021 freshman admission, you won’t have to take the ACT or SAT. (If you do take one of these exams, you can still send in your scores.)
- Pass/No Pass or Credit/No Credit courses completed in spring or summer 2020 can count toward “a-g” requirements. (The UC will still only use graded courses to calculate your GPA.)
- Scores of 3, 4, or 5 on spring 2020 AP exams can still count for college credit even though the exam format is different.
Resources
- UC’s response on admissions to COVID-19.
- UC Coronavirus Updates.
- Contact your UC for resources and information specific to your campus.
California Community Colleges (CCC)
MJC will be starting workshops via Zoom for high school seniors. They will be offering eight different workshops per week via Zoom. This will allow students to ask questions and get real-time assistance during the workshop just as they would at their High School. It is important that if the student does not attend the Zoom workshops they still complete the check-in form for each workshop they attend. This will allow the MJC office to track the students and make sure they get credit for completing Core Steps needed for priority registration. Not only will MJC be sending these invitations via email they can register for the workshops on the MJC webpage.
Enrollment Updates
- You can still apply online through CCCApply.
- Even though campus buildings are closed, CCCs are offering services virtually.
- After you enroll, your CCC will contact you to help with the next steps.
- You can meet with a counselor online or by phone.
Resources
- Student Resources from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.
- Contact your CCC for resources and information specific to your campus.
Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU)
Admission Updates
- In general, AICCU campuses aren’t changing their admissions deadlines. Contact your campus if you need an extension.
- AICCU campuses will be as flexible as possible about admission requirements.
- Some examples of flexibility include:
- Counting Pass/No Pass or Credit/No Credit courses toward admission requirements.
- Changing how Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and exams factor into admissions decisions.
- Not requiring the ACT or SAT.
- Changes to admissions requirements will be different at each campus. Look for the latest updates on your campus website.
Resources
- AICCU Institution Activities to Serve high School Juniors and Seniors.
- AICCU COVID-19 Resources.
- Contact your college for resources and information specific to your campus.
Financial Aid
Key Updates
- If your family’s financial situation has changed because of COVID-19, contact your college’s financial aid office. If you have more financial need, you may be able to get more financial aid.
- The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) is working with high schools to get students’ Cal Grant GPA, as usual.
- Requirements for the Cal Grant, California College Promise Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, and other state financial aid have not changed.
Resources
- Your college financial aid office is your best resource for financial aid questions.
- Visit your college’s website for the latest updates and contact information.