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More About Admissions
The Eligibility Index
College Preparatory Work
Placement Tests
Frequently asked Questions About Establishing Residency
Frequently Asked Questions about Exemptions from Nonresident Tuition
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
The Eligibility Index
Use this formula to see if your grade point average in college preparatory subjects and test scores meet the required eligibility index:
| SAT I Scores: (your GPA)* |
x |
800 |
+ |
your SAT I Total |
My index is ______ |
| ACT Scores: (your GPA)* |
x |
200 |
+ |
(10 x ACT Comp) |
My index is ______ |
*Exclude 9th grade, PE, and ROTC
The high school grade point average is based on grades earned in all approved college preparatory "a-g" courses taken in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. Electives beyond the fifteen-unit requirement, taken during grades 10, 11, and 12, will also be included in the grade point average.
When courses are offered for less than full units value, fractions of course credit may be rounded, course-by-course, to the nearest _ unit or equivalent.
Calculating High School Grade Point Average
To calculate the grade point average, assign 4 grade points for each unit of A, 3 points for each B, 2 points for each C, 1 point for each D, and 0 points for each F,
and multiply the units by the grade points. Add the units and grade points separately; then divide the total grade points by total units to get the average.
Semester grades are used generally; however, courses of other lengths may be prorated as a portion of a year course.
Example:
Grades Total Grade Points Total Grade
Units per Unit Points
|
A
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5 X 4
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=
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20
|
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B
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10 X 3
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=
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30
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C
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2 X 2
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=
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4
|
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D
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1 X 1
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=
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1
|
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F
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1 X 0
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=
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0
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Totals |
19 |
55
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Total Grade Points / Total Units = Grade Point Average
Example GPA calculation: 55 / 19 = 2.89 GPA
Any grade may be repeated.
Repeated courses are used only once in the grade point calculation using the attempt with the highest earned grade.
However, if the highest grade was earned in grade 9, it is not included in the grade point average.
Units and grades accumulated by repeating courses may not be counted toward meeting two subject requirements.
Where both an audit and a letter grade are recorded for a repeated course,
the letter grade takes precedence unless the transcript legend states otherwise.
College level work recorded on the high school transcript as meeting high school graduation requirements is used to
calculate high school units and grade point average.
Unless otherwise noted by the high school, one course of three-semester (four-quarter) units is usually considered equivalent to one year of high school study.
Plus and minus grading designations on high school courses are not used for grade point calculations.
Up to eight semesters of honors courses taken in the last two years of high school will be granted
additional points (an A in an honors course will receive a total of 5 points; B, 4 points; and C, 3 points).
California residents must have a minimum index of 2900 using SAT I scores or 694 using ACT scores.
California nonresidents must have a minimum index of 3502 using SAT I scores or 842 using ACT scores.
College Preparatory Work
The California State University requires first-time freshman applicants to complete, with a grade of C or better in each course,
a 15-unit A-G pattern of college preparatory work.
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A. History/Social Science
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2 years required (including one year of U.S. History or U.S. History and Government)
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B. English
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4 years required
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C. Mathematics*
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3 years required (algebra, geometry and intermediate algebra)
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D. Laboratory Science*
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2 years with laboratory required (one biological, one physical, both with lab)
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E. Language other than English*
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2 years of the same language required
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F. Visual and performing arts**
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1 year
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G. College preparatory electives
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1 year
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* A final grade of C or better in the second semester of a yearlong course is recognized as satisfactory completion of subject performance only in mathematics, chemistry or languages other than English.
** For fall 2006 and beyond, students must satisfy this requirement by completing a single yearlong approved course (the second semester must be a continuation of the first-semester course).
Placement tests: Q&A
What is the purpose of placement tests?
Who must take the English Placement Test?
Who must take the Entry Level Mathematics Test?
What is the purpose of placement tests?
The EPT assesses the reading and writing skills of entering undergraduate students so that they can be placed in appropriate courses.
The ELM exam tests students in the areas of math typically covered in the three years of college preparatory math courses in high school.
Undergraduate students who need additional help will be directed to courses or programs to help them attain the skills they need to do college-level work.
Who must take the English Placement Test?
The CSU English Placement Test must be completed by all entering undergraduates with the exception of those who present proof of one of the following:
- a score of 550 or above of the verbal section of the College Board SAT I: Reasoning Test taken April 1995 or after*
- a score of 680 or above of the College Board SAT II: Writing Test May 1998 or after*
- a score of 24 or above on the enhanced ACT English Test taken October 1989 or later
- a score of 3, 4, or 5 on either the Language and Composition or Literature and Composition examination of the College Board Advanced Placement Program
- completion and transfer to the CSU of a college course that satisfies the General Education-breadth requirement or the Intersegmental General Education
Transfer Curriculum requirement in English Composition provided such a course was completed with a grade of C or better
- successful completion of the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP) English examination.
Consult with your high school for more information about participating in the CSU Early Assessment Program.
*NOTE: If you took the SAT I or II before April 1995 (or the SAT II Writing Test before May 1998), contact the campus Admissions and Records Office or Test Office
for appropriate exemption scores.
Who must take the Entry Level Mathematics Test
All entering undergraduates must take the ELM examination before enrolling in a course that satisfies the college-level mathematics requirement of the
General Education-Breadth program. Exemptions from the test are given only to those students who can present proof of one of the following:
- a score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of either the College Board SAT or SAT I: Reasoning Test
- a score of 550 or above on Level I, IC, II, IIC (C=Calculator) of either the College Board Mathematics Achievement Test or SAT II: Mathematics Test
- a score of 23 or above on the ACT Mathematics Test taken October 1998 or later
- a score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Mathematics examination (Calculus AB or BC)
- a score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Statistics examination
- completion and transfer to the CSU of a college course that satisfies the General Education-Breadth requirement or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum requirement in Quantitative Reasoning, provided such a course was completed with a grade of C or better
- successful completion of the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP) Mathematics examination. If your EAP ELM exemption is conditional, you must complete either a mathematics course above the level of Algebra II or a science course where Algebra II is a prerequisite.
You must pass this course with a grade of at least C. If you do not successfully pass the course, you must take the ELM test. Consult with your high school for more information about participating in the CSU Early Assessment Program.
- For more information about ELM test go to CSU Math Success.
Frequently asked Questions About Establishing Residency
- Why should I establish residency?
You should establish residency to take advantage of lower registration fees at California public colleges and universities for California residents.
In many cases, you will reduce your education costs substantially.
- How long does it take to establish residency?
You are eligible for resident status only if you have established and maintained permanent residence in California at least one year prior
to the following residence determination dates:
- Spring semester -- Jan. 25
- Summer semester -- June 1
- Fall semester -- Sept. 20
- If I am under age 19, can I establish residency on my own?
No. California State University policy states that the residence of applicants who are under age 19 is based on the residence of the parents or guardians.
If you will be under age 19 at the time of the residence determination date, be sure to indicate the identity and residence of your parent or guardian on the
CSU admission application and any residency questionnaire or residency reclassification form.
- If I am a nonresident, how do I qualify for California resident status?
To be eligible for resident status for tuition purposes, you must, for at least one year prior to the residence determination date, maintain physical presence in California and establish your intent to make California your permanent home. Evidence of intent to remain in California indefinitely can vary based on individual circumstance, but should include items listed below as well as the absence of residential ties to your former state. Keep in mind that physical presence in California for the specific intention of academic study does not constitute intent to make California your permanent home.
If you are not a citizen of the United States, you must also maintain, for one year prior to the residence determination date, an immigration status that allows you to establish California residency.
The following will be considered when your resident status is reviewed:
- California driver's license
- California voter registration
- California automobile registration
- California state income tax obligations on total income
- Ownership of residential property or continuous occupancy or leasing of an apartment where your personal belongings are kept
- Active, continuous savings and/or checking accounts in a California bank since the prior year
- Immigration status with legal capacity to establish California residency
- Maintaining a permanent military address and home of record in California
- Military leave and earnings statements showing California as legal residence
- Financial independence from parents for the current year and for three years prior to the current year. (Please note that information regarding financial independence is not required from applicants for admission, but is required from current students seeking residence reclassification.)
- What is an eligible citizenship, visa, or immigration status?
To establish residency a student must be either a U.S. citizen, a legal immigrant (alien registration card holder), or hold a visa A, E, G, H-1, H-1B,
H-4 (if dependent on a H-1 or H-1B), I, K, L, N, O-1, O-3 (if dependent on a O-1), R, S, T, U, V.
- If it is determined that I'm a nonresident, can I ask for another review?
Yes, as soon as you are eligible. If you are an applicant for admission, you should submit a Residency Questionnaire.
If you are a current student, you should submit a Residence Reclassification Request Form.
Submit the form and any supporting documents to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
- When can I ask for another review?
You may request reclassification after:
- Sept. 15 for spring semester
- Feb. 1 for summer semester
- March 1 for fall semester
- How long does a review take?
It normally takes 15 working days for the review to be complete after you have submitted all required documents.
Frequently Asked Questions about Exemptions from Nonresident Tuition
- What is AB 540?
On October 11, 2001, Governor Gray Davis signed Assembly Bill 540 (now Education Code Section 68130.5) creating a new exemption from nonresident tuition for any student who meets ALL of the following criteria:
- attended high school in California for 3 or more years;
- graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent;
- is registered at or is attending an accredited institution of higher education in California not earlier than Fall 2001; and
- be a U.S. Citizen or have lawful immigration status or a student without lawful immigration status filing an affidavit with the campus
stating that he or she has applied to legalize immigration status-or will do so as soon as he or she is eligible.
- When did the law take effect?
January 2, 2002
- What are the procedures for requesting the exemption from nonresident tuition?
Download the AB 540 Affidavit.
Please see instructions on form.
- How do students request a refund if they have already paid nonresident tuition and then become eligible for an exemption?
Students may complete and submit the refund request form, or go to the Bursar's Office,
either at the One Stop Student Services Center (in the Student Services building) or in the Administration building.
The refund will be processed and mailed to the student's home address approximately three weeks from the date of application.
- Do students need to file a new affidavit each semester they enroll?
No. Students providing an affidavit are not required to submit a new affidavit for any future term of continuous enrollment after the original affidavit is submitted.
A break in continuous enrollment will require completion of a new affidavit.
- Are U.S. citizens who are current residents of other states but meet all the criteria eligible?
Yes
- Does the exemption apply to students holding valid non-immigrant (temporary) visas (such as F, J, H, L or other temporary visa)?
No
- Are students covered under this exemption eligible to receive State University Grants (SUG)?
No. Students exempted from paying nonresident tuition do not become residents for eligibility purposes for any state-funded program.
- Are students who are covered under this exemption eligible to receive other financial aid?
Students who are covered under this exemption are not eligible for any state financial aid. Requirements for federal financial aid are determined by federal regulations.
Citizenship criteria for specific stipends, internships, or scholarships are determined by the agency handling the application and selection process.
- Are students who are covered under this exemption eligible to receive a waiver of the application fee based on qualifying financial status?
No
- Are students who are covered under this exemption eligible to participate in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)?
No. Students are exempted from paying nonresident tuition, but do not become residents for eligibility purposes for any state-funded program, such as EOP.
- What happens if the certification provided by a student is later determined to be false?
The student will be liable for the repayment of the difference between resident and nonresident tuition that would have been applicable for all terms of attendance.
The student may also be subject to disciplinary proceedings.
- What happens to the information obtained in the implementation of this law?
The law requires that all information obtained in the implementation remain a confidential portion of the students' permanent record.
For audit purposes, the original documents must be maintained for at least five years.
- Will my California residency change if I am approved for this waiver?
No. A non-resident student eligible for the AB540 non-resident tuition exemption does not change residency status.
The student remains a non-resident until such time that the student is legally able to establish California residency.
The student then must complete the Residency Change form and provide appropriate documentation for the change.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to use and understand North American English
as it is spoken, written and heard in college and university settings. All students, regardless of citizenship, who have not attended schools at the high school level or above for at least three years of full-time student where English is the principal language of instruction, must take the TOEFL test. Prospective students must take either a computer-based or paper version of the test, depending on what is available where they live. Each version is scored on a different scale.
Computer-based test: Minimum score to attend SF State
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Undergraduates
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173
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Graduate students and second baccalaureates
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213
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Paper test: Minimum score to attend SF State
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Undergraduates
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500
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Graduate students and second baccalaureates
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550
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For more information, go to the TOEFL Web site.
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