The legislation, authored by Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, builds upon the success of the CSU’s pilot program with the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)—a pilot that included Cal Poly Humboldt among its participating campuses. The initiative reimagines the college admissions process by automatically offering admission to qualified high school students before they even apply, removing traditional barriers that can deter students from pursuing higher education.
For Humboldt, participating in the pilot reflects the University’s effort to increase access to higher education, particularly for first-generation and underrepresented students.
“The signing of SB 640 represents a transformational step forward in expanding access to higher education for California students. By taking the first step on behalf of students—letting them know they already have a place in the CSU—we’re removing barriers and opening doors that might have once seemed out of reach. This program ensures that more students see college not as a distant possibility, but as a real and achievable future. At Cal Poly Humboldt, we’re proud to be part of this work to make higher education more inclusive, equitable, and accessible for all,” says Chrissy Holliday, vice president of Enrollment Management & Student Success.
The direct admissions model proved highly effective in the Riverside County pilot, which proactively notified eligible students that they met CSU admission standards. Instead of requiring students to take the first step, the program made the first move—informing high school seniors who met academic thresholds, such as completing college-preparatory (A–G) coursework, that they were already admissible to participating CSU campuses.
Those students could then confirm their intent and complete an official Cal State Apply application through CaliforniaColleges.edu, a platform that automatically imported their high school grades and coursework into the application system. For many, this simplified process demystified college admissions and provided a tangible path forward.
The pilot included 10 CSU campuses—among them Cal Poly Humboldt, Chico, East Bay, San Bernardino, and Sonoma. Humboldt’s participation helped ensure that students in Southern California, particularly those from Riverside County, had the opportunity to consider a polytechnic education in Northern California.
The University has historically drawn a significant number of students from the region; this fall, 28 percent of Humboldt students came from Southern California.
Cal Poly Humboldt has also been a leader in developing Direct Admissions agreements with local school districts, with four MOUs already in place covering Northern Humboldt Union, Fortuna, Ferndale, and Eureka City School districts. Conversations are underway with other districts in the region that are also interested in a potential partnership. Under these agreements, the University guarantees high school-based visits and supports for students progressing towards completion of A-G requirements, as well as offers guaranteed admission based on data shared by the districts. This fall, the University and partner districts are working to finalize the data sharing processes, and the campus will communicate later this cycle with qualifying students.
SB 640 codifies this model statewide. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, school districts and high schools across California will begin working with the CSU and California College Guidance Initiative to identify eligible students. By fall 2027, every public high school in the state will participate in the CSU Direct Admissions Program.
While students must still submit an official CSU application to finalize their admission, the legislation ensures that more young people—especially those who may have assumed college was out of reach—will see a clear, supported path toward a bachelor’s degree. The law also expands the CSU Dual Admission (Transfer Success Pathway) program, which guarantees future admission to students who begin their postsecondary journey at a community college.
Newsom’s signature on SB 640 marks a milestone for higher education access in California. By formalizing a program that has already shown measurable success, the state is signaling a long-term commitment to simplifying college entry and supporting student success.
For Cal Poly Humboldt, the impact goes beyond enrollment numbers. It’s about living out the University’s purpose—providing access to transformative education in one of the state’s most unique learning environments, and ensuring that every qualified student knows the door to opportunity is open.
The Fall 2026 Cal Poly Humboldt applications are now open. Apply today on Cal State Apply. For more information about Cal Poly Humboldt admissions, visit admissions.humboldt.edu or contact the Office of Admissions at (866) 850-9556 or apply@humboldt.edu.