This page is designed to help you find answers to the most frequently asked questions about San Francisco State University. Please make use of these links -- they are your fastest pathways to a helpful answer.
- Need to find your Personal Access Code (PAC) and/or Student ID Number?
- Looking for international student information?
- Interested in applying to SF State?
- What degrees and majors does SF State offer?
- Need information from or about a department?
- Need to find what courses are being offered?
- Need an unofficial or official transcript?
- Looking for non-credit weekend courses, certificate and professional development programs, workshops, online courses and other flexible scheduling options?
- Planning to visit SF State?
- Looking for students, faculty or staff on campus?
- Looking for employment information?
- Need to contact SF State by mail, phone or email?
- Need an SF State Bulletin (Catalog)?
- Have questions or comments about this Web site?
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Need to find your Personal Access Code (PAC) and/or student ID number?
A PAC or Personal Access Code is a four-digit number designed to keep your personal information private. For information on how to select or reset your PAC, visit the PAC Information page.
What is a Student ID Number? SF State will issue you an SF State ID number a few days after receiving your application for admission. Use your SF State ID and PAC (Personal Access Code) to access Web services such as checking your admission or financial aid application status, registering for classes, paying your fees and viewing your grades. Your SF State ID will be sent to the e-mail address you put on your application for admission. Once you receive your SF State ID number, you must select a PAC by using the PAC initialization service. You will be asked to enter your birth date, using two digits each for month, day and year. For example, if you were born on June 15, 1987, enter 061587. You will then be asked to select a four-digit PAC.
Looking for international student information?
For international student information such as how to apply and other admission requirements, please visit the Prospective Students Web Site.
Interested in applying to SF State?
If you want to apply to SF State, or if you have questions about admissions requirements, fees, financial aid, or the transfer process, visit our Prospective Students Web site.
What degrees and majors does SF State offer?
SF State offers a variety of majors -- undergraduate and graduate -- and the flexibility to combine them in various ways.
For a complete list of current programs and majors, please visit the Index of Academic Programs.
Need information from or about a department?
If your questions do not pertain directly to the campus home page, please direct them to the most relevant department on campus. You can find e-mail, phone and Web sites for academic and administrative departments on the Departments page. Alternatively, you can give our search engine a try or use our convenient online Department Contact Form.
Need to find what courses are being offered?
The Class Schedule lists courses and curricula for all academic departments, units, groups, and interdisciplinary and special studies programs offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. The Class Schedule is accessible online:
SF State Class Schedule
SF State College of Extended Learning Class Schedule
Printed copies of the Class Schedule may be purchased in person or ordered by mail from the University Bookstore. For information regarding cost, mail orders and shipping, call (415) 338-2092.
Need an unofficial or official transcript?
Unofficial Transcripts
Unofficial Transcripts may be downloaded online by logging into the University's Student Information page. You will be asked to enter your SF State ID and 4-digit Personal Access Code (PAC). If you don't know your PAC, one can be assigned to you by completing the PAC Initialization form. If you are unable to use the PAC Initialization form, you will need to request an Official Transcript.
Official Transcripts
To request an Official Transcript, follow these steps:
Download the free Acrobat Reader
- Complete the Request for SF State Official Transcript (PDF) form.
- Determine the cost of the transcript(s). The amount due will be listed on the prepared SF State Official Transcript form. This amount is calculated using the Official Transcript Fee Chart.
Official Transcript Fee Chart
The cost EACH TIME YOU SEND IN A REQUEST IS $4.00 for the first copy, $2.00 for each additional copy through 10, and $1.00 for each copy exceeding ten.
| 1 copy | $4.00 | 6 copies | $14.00 | |
| 2 copies | $6.00 | 7 copies | $16.00 | |
| 3 copies | $8.00 | 8 copies | $18.00 | |
| 4 copies | $10.00 | 9 copies | $20.00 | |
| 5 copies | $12.00 | 10 copies | $22.00 |
For more than 10 copies, the cost is $22.00 for the first 10 plus $1.00 for each additional copy.
- Make a check payable to San Francisco State University
- Mail the SF State Official Transcript form and check to:
San Francisco State University Registrar - Transcripts
1600 Holloway Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94132-1722
Looking for non-credit weekend courses, certificate and professional development programs, workshops, online courses and other flexible scheduling options?
SF State College of Extended Learning (CEL) offers hundreds of classes for professional development and personal enrichment. You can take regular University classes without formal admission to SF State. Classes are held on the main campus and at the Downtown Campus.
Planning to visit San Francisco State University?
Visitor Services available online:
Looking for students, faculty or staff on campus?
- E-mail Address Look-up Service - This search requires the complete First AND Last name of the person you are looking for.
- Office/Staff Directory
Student Phone Numbers
We do not publish student phone numbers because it is a violation of SF State's policy on Privacy Rights of Students in Education Records and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). The policy states:
"All student records at San Francisco State University are kept in accordance with the provision of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). The university defines as "directory information" and normally makes public only the following information from a student's record: current enrollment status, class level, major, semesters (or dates) of enrollment, degrees earned, and extra-curricular achievements. The university does not release any other information, including courses, grades, addresses and telephone numbers to the general public unless a student requests it."
Looking for employment information?
- Visit the Human Resources Job Opportunities page for information on Faculty/Administrator Positions and Staff Positions.
- The Career Center's Employment page provides a list of job opportunities for students.
Need to contact SF State by mail, phone or e-mail?
To reach a department or program by mail, address your letter as follows:
The specific department or unit you wish to reach
c/o San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
You must include the name of the appropriate department or unit. You can also send an e-mail message to the sfsuinfo@sfsu.edu address or call SF State's Directory Assistance at (415) 338-1111. There is no general fax number. Please contact the appropriate department or unit if you wish to send a fax.
Need an SF State Bulletin (catalog)?
The SF State Bulletin provides up-to-date information about University courses, programs, policies, and procedures.
- Current Regular University Bulletin
- College of Extended Learning
- Previous Bulletins (From 1994-2007)
Printed copies of the University Bulletin (Catalog) may be purchased in person or ordered by mail from the University Bookstore. For information regarding cost, mail orders and shipping, call (415) 338-2092. Older versions of the Bulletin can be found in the Special Collections & Archives section of the J. Paul Leonard Library.
Have questions or comments about this Web site?
Overall direction for SF State Web services is guided by the Information Technology Web Committee. If you have a question, comment or suggestion regarding the SF State home page, please e-mail www@sfsu.edu or complete the SF State Web Feedback Form.
PLEASE NOTE: Although we welcome all types of inquiries, you will get a faster answer regarding applications, transfers, financial aid, or other related matters if you use the Department Contact Form.
