According to preliminary statistics, California State University (CSU) has reached a historic high in freshman enrollment for the fall semester, despite challenges posed by issues with the new federal college aid application program. This year, CSU’s freshman enrollment rates have risen by 2% compared to last year.
The Mercury News reports that the university indicated that while final enrollment numbers won’t be confirmed until November, initial data shows that the 23 CSU campuses welcomed over 68,500 freshmen in the 2024 fall semester—setting a record.
Mildred García, the chancellor of CSU, expressed optimism, stating, “This upward momentum demonstrates that Californians are confident in the transformative power of a CSU degree, especially for first-generation college students, underrepresented minorities, low-income students, and adults seeking new opportunities.”
CSU highlighted that even in the face of delays caused by the federal government’s introduction of the new college aid application program—which postponed the announcement of aid approvals—the system still managed to achieve its highest enrollment numbers ever. This reflects the unwavering commitment of CSU staff to ensure that students and their families secure needed financial aid.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Education undertook a comprehensive overhaul of the federal college aid application process for the first time in 40 years, aiming to streamline how students apply for and receive financial assistance. However, technical issues with the application forms prevented many students from submitting their applications, leading to significant delays in announcing financial aid outcomes and creating distress for numerous students. In response, both CSU and the University of California (UC) extended the deadline for students to respond to their admissions offers.
Typically, universities finalize financial aid results by March, allowing students to make their college decisions by May. This year, however, the Department of Education did not begin sending student applications to universities until mid-March, leaving many students anxious and waiting for aid notifications just weeks before the May decision deadline.
Preliminary data also indicates that more than half of CSU’s undergraduate students come from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds, with an impressive 96% acceptance rate for first-time freshmen.
