California Senior Year Checklist for UC and CSU (2026 to 2027)

California seniors applying for fall 2027 have one shared deadline to plan around: both the University of California application and Cal State Apply are due November 30, 2026, with filing open from October 1. After that come the March 2, 2027 financial aid deadline, spring decisions, a May 1 commitment for UC, and final transcripts in July. Use this checklist month by month, and print it for the family calendar.

Prefer paper? Download and print the free one page A to G Four Year Planning Sheet (PDF) and the Junior and Senior Year College Application Checklist for California Students (PDF). Want help turning them into a weekly plan? Book a free 20 minute intro call.

Before senior year starts

Check every A to G area with the A to G requirements checker, and make sure the senior schedule finishes anything missing.
Estimate the UC and CSU GPA with the UC and CSU GPA calculator.
Make a first list of UC and CSU campuses and majors, including local CSU campuses and at least one campus where the major is not impacted.
Start a running list of activities, jobs, family responsibilities and awards with hours per week.

August and September 2026

The UC application opened August 1. Create the account and enter courses and grades from the transcript.
Choose four UC personal insight questions and write first drafts.
Ask about the counselor’s process for applications and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form.
Set up a weekly family check-in of 15 minutes, same day and time.

October 2026

Filing opens October 1 for the UC application and Cal State Apply.
Submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application; both opened October 1.
Revise personal insight answers; every word must be the student’s own.
Check each CSU campus and major for impaction and supplemental criteria; see CSU application and impaction explained.
Check application fee waivers if cost is a concern.

November 2026

Submit both applications by mid November, ahead of the November 30 deadline.
Save confirmation pages and watch the email account used on the applications.
Keep up with fall coursework; first semester grades still matter.

December 2026 to February 2027

Set up each campus applicant portal and respond to any requests.
Hold grades steady; offers are conditional on completing senior year as planned.
Finish any financial aid steps before March 2.

March and April 2027

March 2: deadline for the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and the GPA Verification Form for Cal Grant.
UC decisions arrive March 1 to 31 (some campuses earlier); CSU campuses send their own decisions.
Compare offers and aid side by side with the financial aid offer comparison calculator.

May to July 2027

May 1: UC Statement of Intent to Register deadline. Check each CSU offer for its own deadline and steps.
Finish senior year strong and avoid dropping courses listed on the application without checking first.
July 1: final official transcripts due to the UC campus the student will attend; July 15: official AP and IB results.
Watch the chosen campus portal for orientation, housing and placement steps.

UC dates come from the University of California dates and deadlines page. CSU filing dates are from Cal State Apply and the fall 2027 dates posted by CSU campuses; confirm each campus in the application. For the full UC timeline see the UC application timeline for fall 2027.

Printable one line version

Aug: UC account, courses entered, PIQ drafts.
Sep: activities list, campus list, counselor check.
Oct: applications open, FAFSA or CADAA filed, PIQs revised.
Nov: both applications submitted before November 30.
Dec to Feb: portals set up, grades steady.
Mar: aid deadline March 2, decisions arrive.
Apr: compare offers.
May 1: commit.
Jul: final transcripts and AP or IB scores.

Where a mentor helps

Senior year in California means two application systems, financial aid and a full course load at the same time. A mentor gives the student one weekly plan that covers all of it, helps break each step into small tasks, and keeps grades steady through the fall, while parents get updates instead of having to chase.

A shared calendar for UC, Cal State Apply and financial aid dates.
Weekly accountability for drafts, lists and forms.
Executive function support: planning, starting early and following through.
Help staying steady through the spring wait and the decision.

Mentoring is not tutoring, test prep or admissions consulting, and no one can promise admission. Blackburn Mentoring works one on one by video nationwide and in person in Los Angeles, including families across Los Angeles County. Book a free 20 minute intro call to talk through your plan.

Common questions

When are UC and CSU applications due for fall 2027?

Both filing periods open October 1, 2026, and the deadline posted for fall 2027 first year applicants is November 30, 2026.

When is the California financial aid deadline?

Submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by March 2, 2027.

Do senior year grades matter for UC and CSU?

Yes. Admission offers are conditional on finishing senior year as planned, and UC and CSU check final transcripts.

When do I have to commit to a UC?

By May 1, 2027, through the Statement of Intent to Register. CSU campuses list their own steps in each offer.

Should I apply to both UC and CSU?

Many California students do, because the systems use different applications, minimums and campus priorities. One application covers all UC campuses and Cal State Apply covers CSU campuses.

Where do I check my A to G courses?

Your school’s UC approved course list and counselor, and our free A to G requirements checker for a quick view of what is met and missing.

This guide is general information, not official admissions advice. Dates and rules can change; the official UC and CSU sites and your counselor decide.

Get started

Want help turning this into a plan for your student? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or book a free intro call.

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California Senior Year Checklist for UC and CSU Applicants (Class of 2027)