The pathway to a college education will be much easier for high school graduates from six San Bernardino County school districts, who will now be guaranteed admission to California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) thanks to an agreement between CSUSB and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS).

Qualifying high school seniors will receive guaranteed admission to CSUSB, removing the initial application process for them.

“Now with the direct admission program, the path to college is even clearer for students, knowing that we can be admitted without the stress and anxiety of the application process,” said Valerie Aparicio Maldonado, a senior from Cajon High School in the San Bernardino City Unified School District. “It removes so many barriers for students. It gives us confidence, it gives us hope, and it makes higher education feel possible and within reach.”

The agreement, signed at CSUSB on Sept. 24 at an event attended by students, school district and university officials and staff, aims to increase the college-going rate in the region by guaranteeing admission to CSUSB when high school students meet the A-G admission requirements. Qualifying high school seniors from the following districts will now benefit from the program:

  • Chaffey Joint Union High School District
  • Fontana Unified School District
  • San Bernardino City Unified School District
  • Apple Valley Unified School District
  • Victor Valley Union High School District
  • Rim of the World Unified School District

Together, the six districts serve approximately 6,000 seniors.

“We recognize the vital role that earning a college degree plays in the success of our students and our communities,” said San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Ted Alejandre. “This significant agreement reduces uncertainty for our students and offers a clear, motivating pathway to college.”

The memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed by Alejandre and CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales, outlines the promise of the transformative agreement as a valuable mechanism for increasing the number and percentage of San Bernardino graduates qualifying for admission into CSUSB.

Morales described it this way: A high school student comes home and a parent says they have a letter from CSUSB. The letter states that the student has been admitted to the university, though they didn’t formally apply. “And that,” Morales said, “begins the conversation about visualizing themselves on a university campus.”

Added Alejandre, “They get a direct access to Cal State San Bernardino, and they can come directly here. That reduces the barriers and allows them to be able to continue their careers in a post-secondary institution as wonderful as this school.”

CSUSB will provide guaranteed admission for graduating seniors who meet the minimum California State University (CSU) requirements, have a grade point average of at least 2.5, complete the CSU’s A-G coursework, submit their applications during the priority application period during their senior year, and also assist students who choose to enroll at a community college first to enter the CSUSB Transfer Success Pathways Program, which provides them access to the university and resources needed prior to transferring to CSUSB.

The university will also develop a four-year degree plan for incoming San Bernardino County students to facilitate degree completion; provide materials and information about the university regarding enrollment; work with the county and districts to communicate the admissions guarantee to students, staff and community members; share first-year course expectations with teachers, counselors and administrators; assist and support students at CSUSB with structured programs to reduce the college dropout rate; and facilitate financial aid, scholarship and financial literacy workshops for students and parents. Additionally, CSUSB will provide SBCSS with regular reports on students’ degree progression and graduation by cohort.

“Today’s MOU is not a stand-alone event, however. It is part of our support of, and building of, the cradle-to-career pipeline we are strengthening right here in the Inland Empire,” Morales said. “While today is all about guaranteed admission to graduates of San Bernardino County Schools, we will be pursuing specific initiatives in the future with San Bernardino City, Victor Valley, Chaffey, Fontana, Rim of the World and Apple Valley.”

Attending the signing ceremony with Maldonado from Cajon High School were fellow seniors Ashley Suarez, Jurupa Hills High in Fontana; Kamori Armstrong, Silverado High, Victorville; and Efrain Avila, Apple Valley High, Apple Valley.

Suarez said being directly admitted to CSUSB “is a bridge to major opportunities in allowing students to further their education and not having to even fill out an application or have to stress out about the process about filling one. Many students often don't realize that they are college material, regardless of what people tell them, they do have potential to go to a university, get an education, and learning doesn't stop in high school, which is something many students don't realize. So having this opportunity is so incredible, and we are very grateful to have this in which students are going to be able to take this and be the first in their families to attend college, to be the first to be able to show their siblings or their community is that it is possible to go to college.”

Armstrong’s introduction to CSUSB came through the university’s Coyote Blue program, which supports high school students in grades 9-12, who face barriers to academic success, such as economic hardship, family responsibilities, or limited access to advanced coursework. That exposed her to what college life is like, which inspired her to want to pursue a college education. “And now,” she said, “through direct admissions, I'm certain that I can go to college.”

The college application process can be a confusing time for not only students, but their parents, as well, said Avila. “Thankfully, the CSUSB guaranteed admissions makes that process a whole lot easier.”

For more information on the guaranteed admission agreement between CSUSB and SBCSS, contact the CSUSB Admissions Operation & Systems office at (909) 537-5188 or email askadmissions@csusb.edu.

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For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow SBCSS onFacebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. #transforminglives