College Planning (UC, CSU, Community College)

California Community Colleges (CCC)

The California Community Colleges system consists of 116 colleges. Each college offers a diverse array of educational programs, with specializations that reflect the unique character of the local region.

Enrollment

Start from CaliforniaColleges.edu, launch the California Community Colleges Application, and create a new CCCApply account.
After you submit your application, the community college you apply to will contact you by email to guide you through the next steps.

Resources

Please visit the following information pages to learn more about the California Community Colleges and what they offer:

California State University (CSU)

Cal State Apply is the application used to apply to all of the California State University (CSU) campuses.

The application opens on October 1.
Start from CaliforniaColleges.edu, launch the California State University Application, and sign into your existing Cal State Apply account or create a new one.
Your application is due no later than November 30. To determine the exact deadline for your desired program, please visit the Application Dates & Deadlines page.

Resources

High School Guidance - First-time and First-Year Students.
First-time Freshman FAQs
CSU Coronavirus Updates.
Contact your CSU for resources and information specific to your campus.

University of California (UC)

The UC Application is the application you use to apply to all of the University of California (UC) campuses.

- The application opens on August 1.
- Start from CaliforniaColleges.edu, launch the University of California Application, and create a new UC application account.
- You can link it to an existing UC application account by logging in to your UC application through CaliforniaColleges.edu at any point. You’ll see a pop-up message asking you to link your accounts.
  - - Click Confirm.
- Your application is due no later than November 30.

Resources

Freshman Requirements
UC’s response on admissions to COVID-19.
Contact your UC for resources and information specific to your campus.

Financial Aid is money students receive to succeed in college, which may look like grants, scholarships, loans, or work-study. This also includes the Two Years Free grant for California Community College students. Financial Aid supplements the amount you and your family contribute.
Free money includes: Grants, Fee Waivers, Scholarships, and Work-Study Programs

To be eligible for financial aid you will need to fill out either the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application.

You can apply as early as October 1. Finish your application as soon as you can. You might get more money if you submit early!
Start from CaliforniaColleges.edu, launch the FAFSA/CADAA, and sign into your existing account or create a new one.
Be sure to submit with all your schools no later than March 2.

Step 1 Create a FSA ID

The FSA ID gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. Only create a FSA ID using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You are not authorized to create a FSA ID on behalf of someone else, including a family member. Save your FSA ID for next year’s application submission!

Which application do I complete, FAFSA or the California Dream Act?

Complete FAFSA if you identify with one of the following

- US Citizen
- Students in mix-status homes: Meaning the student is a US Citizen and parents are undocumented
- U.S. permanent resident, with a Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as an Alien Registration Receipt Card or "Green Card")
- Conditional permanent resident (I-551C)
- Other eligible noncitizens with an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security

Complete the California Dream Act if you identify with one of the following

- Undocumented students
- DACA students

Earning College Credits While Enrolled in High School.

"Students ages 13-18 can get started in college before they're even done with high school. Dual Enrollment (DE) students have the $46 per unit tuition fee waived. There may be other fees associated with the class, such as material fees, parking permits, books, or health fees". - Modesto Junior College

Workshops designed for high school students planning to attend MJC and list of courses.

Early Start Admissions at San Joaquin Delta College

Standardized Tests (SAT / ACT / ASVAB)

The SAT and the ACT are standardized tests that help colleges and universities determine how prepared students are to take college-level courses.

What do the ACT and the SAT Tests Measure?
The ACT test measures what a student already knows. It covers material that the student should have learned during high school.
The SAT test is used more as a predictor of what a student is capable of learning. It deals with material that the student may NOT have learned in high school.

Register early to get a preferred test date and avoid late registration fees. Find test dates, locations, and other information using the links listed below. When registering for tests use Escalon High School’s code: 050870.

Update on the use of SAT/ACT in CSU Admissions
Exam requirement for the UC Admissions
Division I Academic Requirements
Division II Academic Requirements
NCAA Approved Courses - Use CEEB/ACT Code: 050870

Other College Resources

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.

Sources:

https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/collegereqsinformation.asp https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/Chancellors-Office/Divisions/Communications-and-Marketing/Novel-Coronavirus/students https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/response-covid-19.html https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/Pages/first-time-freshman-guidance.aspx https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/documents/aiccuhsjuniorsseniors.pdf https://www.csac.ca.gov/https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus