A Complete Guide for Parents of High School Students**

Congratulations to your student on submitting their University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) applications. This milestone reflects years of academic effort and preparation. Now that the applications are in, the next few months will involve several important steps that help ensure a smooth path toward admission and final college selection.
This guide walks you through everything parents should know—from managing application portals to understanding timelines and financial aid requirements.

1. Updating Application Information — What Can Still Be Changed

Once the UC and CSU applications are submitted, students can still update certain items—but only contact information such as email, phone number, or mailing address.

What cannot be changed after submission:

• Activities, awards, or extracurricular entries
• UC Personal Insight Questions
• Any academic records or previously reported grades

Minor changes are unlikely to affect admissions decisions. However, if your student made an error in their contact information, updating it promptly is essential so campuses can reach them without delay.

2. Create Individual Campus Portals — Your Lifeline Through Decision Season

After applications are submitted, each campus will email instructions to create a campus-specific application portal. These portals are the primary communication channel between the applicant and each university.

Students will use these portals to:

• Confirm that their application was received
• View any requests for additional documents
• Access scholarship notifications
• Check admission decisions

Please encourage your student to check their email—including the spam folder—daily, and save all login information in a secure place.

3. Do Not Send Transcripts Yet

Parents often wonder whether official transcripts must be sent immediately after applying.
For UC and CSU, the answer is no.

• Campuses make admission decisions based solely on the self-reported grades entered in the application.
• Official final transcripts are required only after a student commits to a school, and must be sent in July 2026 to the single campus the student chooses to attend.

No other transcripts are needed before that time.

4. Do Not Send AP or IB Test Scores Yet

Similarly, campuses do not require AP or IB score reports during the application review process.

Students should:

• Report their planned or completed exams in the application
• Send official AP/IB scores in July 2026, but only to the campus they will attend

These official scores will determine how many college credits the student may receive.

5. Submit the FAFSA — A Critical Step for Financial Aid

Financial aid is an essential part of the college planning process. Students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) during the following window:

• October 2025 – March 2, 2026
• Submitting by January 2026 maximizes eligibility for grants and aid packages

Information needed includes:

• Parents’ 2024 federal tax return
• Student and parent Social Security Numbers (if applicable)

Submitting the FAFSA on time ensures that your student receives full consideration for federal, state, and institutional aid.

6. Augmented Review — Additional Information Requests

Some UC campuses may request supplemental information through an Augmented Review, especially for students who:

• Demonstrate exceptional talent
• Have faced significant hardships
• Require additional academic clarification

Requests may include:

• A list of senior-year courses
• First-semester grades
• Optional letters of recommendation
• Supplemental questionnaires

If your student receives this request, it is generally a positive sign. Encourage them to respond quickly and thoroughly.

7. Scholarship Notifications — Don’t Worry If You Don’t Hear Anything

Starting in February 2026, campuses may contact students about merit scholarship opportunities that require:

• Additional applications
• Recommendation letters
• Interviews

Receiving such communication is encouraging—but not receiving it does not signal rejection.
Scholarships are limited in number, and only selected candidates are contacted.

8. Maintain Strong Academic Performance — Senior Year Still Matters

UC and CSU campuses take senior-year grades seriously. Poor performance may impact admission decisions. Students must immediately notify each campus if any of the following occur:

• They receive a D or F in a fall or spring semester course
• They drop or change a class listed in their application

Failure to report changes may result in rescission of admission, even after acceptance.

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When Admission Decisions Will Be Released

UC Decision Timeline

• Most campuses release results in March 2026
• Some campuses begin notifying students in February
• Financial aid packages are typically released at the same time or shortly afterward

CSU Decision Timeline

• Some campuses operate on rolling admission, sending decisions within weeks
• Others release decisions in March 2026

Final College Decision Deadline — May 1, 2026

Students must make their college choice by May 1, 2026.
To secure their spot for the fall term, they must submit:

• The Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)
• The required enrollment deposit

Campuses will not hold a student’s place without these items.

Final Thoughts

The months following UC and CSU application submission can feel long and uncertain, but understanding the process makes the journey much smoother. By keeping track of important dates and responding promptly to campus communications, families can ensure that nothing is missed along the way.
Wishing your student the very best as they move one step closer to their college future.

Thank you.

If you would like more detailed guidance on education planning, financial aid, or admissions strategy, please click here or contact us at: www.eliteprep.com/contact-us

We will provide personalized consulting and recommend tailored strategies that best fit your student’s individual needs.

Andy Lee / Elite Prep Suwanee powered by Elite Open School
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