By Gwen Holman
Starting in 2026, a new California law will make it easier for high school seniors to attend college by guaranteeing admission to the California State University (CSU) System for students who meet certain academic requirements. The law, known as Senate Bill 640, creates a Direct Admissions Program for California public high school students. Its goal is to remove the barriers in the college application process and ensure that students who are academically eligible for college are not prevented from attending. Under this new program, eligible California high school seniors will automatically receive an admission offer to one or more CSU campuses. Instead of students having to apply individually to be accepted, admission letters will be sent directly to them based on their high school coursework and grades. To qualify, students must complete the required A-G college preparatory courses, which include classes in English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language. Students must also meet the minimum CSU GPA requirement, which is generally 2.5 or higher for California residents. Students who meet these standards are considered “college-ready” under CSU guidelines. Not all CSU campuses will participate at first. Highly impacted campuses are excluded from the initial roll out. However, 16 CSU campuses with available enrollment capacity will take part in the program. Students can still apply traditionally to any CSU campus they choose, including those not participating in direct admissions. The program officially begins in January 2026, with full implementation expected by the Fall 2027 admission cycle. Overall, Senate Bill 640 represents a major shift in California’s approach to higher education by aiming for greater accessibility for students.