Cal State San Marcos has extended its deadline to apply for admission for the fall 2021 semester by six weeks in recognition of the toll that the coronavirus pandemic has exacted on students throughout the region and beyond.
The previous deadline was Dec. 15 at 11:59 p.m.
The new deadline is Jan. 31.
“Because of the many challenges faced by students during this trying period, we wanted to provide them with additional time to apply,” said Scott Hagg, CSUSM’s associate vice president of enrollment management services.
The California State University system previously extended the application deadline by 11 days, from Dec. 4 to Dec. 15. By pushing it back further, CSUSM hopes to provide students and their families with extra time over winter break and into the new year to go through the application process.
As part of that process, CSUSM is reminding students that financial aid is available to those who apply and who are qualified. More than 70% of CSUSM’s student population receives some type of financial aid.
With annual tuition and fees at $7,360, CSU is one of the most affordable public universities in the nation.
The $70 application fee is waived for individuals who qualify based on information provided in the application, including financial information from the prior year. If students’ financial situation, or that of their families, has changed significantly from 2019, they may request an appeal of their eligibility for a fee waiver.
CSUSM is anticipating a return to in-person instruction for fall 2021, though the university plans to offer some virtual learning opportunities for students who decide that they’re not ready to return to campus.
Students can apply to CSUSM at https://www2.calstate.edu/apply. The federal financial aid form is available at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
About California State University San Marcos
Building on an innovative 30-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. Located on a 306-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange counties.
The university enrolls more than 16,000 students. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014 — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.
