Resources & Options

Common Application: Apply to college for the first time or transfer to complete your degree. Navigate your entire college application journey with Common App.  Explore more than 1,000 colleges on Common App.  Application dates vary by institution.

Common application assistance

Materials:

What is Common App for transfer?

How Common App for transfer works

Application dictionary

Approaching the Experiences section

Program requirements worksheet

Understanding the recommendation process

Understanding application fees & fee waivers

CSU Transfer Application:  Compare CSU campuses, explore degrees, learn about admission requirements and apply for financial aid.  The fee to apply to the CSU is $70 per campus. Some students may qualify for an application fee waiver. Apply 6 months to 1 year in advance.  Major impaction: not all majors are open for admission during all application cycles.  Please see a counselor for more information.

CSU transfer application guide 2024-25

Application filing periods:

Fall Semester: October 1-November 30

Winter Semester: June 1-June 30

Spring Semester: August 1-August 31

Summer Semester: February 1-February 28 

CSU helpline:

For faster service, contact us using the Live Chat feature in the application. Alternatively, contact us at 857-304-2087 or CalStateApply@liaisoncas.com

UC Transfer Application: Visit the University of California website to apply to one of the nine UCs and discover more information about deadlines, completing the application, personal insight questions and next steps.  Apply 6 months to 1 year in advance. Major impaction: not all majors are open for admission during all application cycles.  Please see a counselor for more information.

Personal Insight Questions for Transfer Students

Application filing periods:

Fall quarter/semester: October 1–November 30
Winter quarter/spring semester*: July 1–31

UC Berkeley and UC Merced are on the semester system calendar while all other campuses are on the quarter system calendar. All campuses are open for the fall term. *UC Merced, UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz only.

UC helpline:

Call the application center at (800) 207-1710 (within the U.S.) or (925) 298-6856 (outside the U.S.) during normal business hours, or e-mail ucinfo@applyucsupport.net.

UC Transfer Policy Guide

UCLA Transfer Guide

Transfer Application Checklist

1. Unofficial transcripts from all schools attended
2. Your Social Security number
3. Payment method ready
4. Annual income (Parents if dependent and yours if independent)
5. CCC ID and Campus ID
6. EOP only: Your parent's employment background and two recommendations

Transfer Agreements are agreements between four-year universities and colleges and Napa Valley Community College that guarantee admission to prospective students as long as those students meet a certain set of criteria. These requirements and agreements differ across universities, colleges, and systems.

Currently we have a number of agreements in place with select University of California (UC) campuses, the California State University (CSU) system, select Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and other out-of-state state or in-state, private institutions.

 Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information

California Community Colleges offer Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) to the California State University (CSU) campuses. These degrees are specifically called the Associate in Arts (AA-T) or Associate in Science (AS-T) degrees. These degrees are designed to provide a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. California Community College students who are awarded an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and given priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses.

Students who have been awarded an AA-T or AS-T are able to complete their remaining requirements for the 120-unit baccalaureate degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units.

Current and prospective community college students are strongly encouraged to meet with an NVC Counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop a comprehensive educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.

Students interested in the transfer agreement please check out the  I can go to college website , where a list of the partner schools can be downloaded with website links.

ADT Major and Campus Search

ADT information from the CSU system

Current Colleges with ADTs

ASSIST.ORG

ASSIST

IGETC Course List

The official course transfer and articulation system for California’s public colleges and universities.  ASSIST is best used in combination with seeing a counselor on your campus. It is intended to help students and counselors work together to establish an appropriate path toward transferring from a public California community college to a public California university.

Agreement with Sonoma State University

Napa Valley College students who meet specific requirements are now guaranteed admission to Sonoma State University to continue their education as an incoming junior.

Press Release

Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities

Many Napa Valley College students transfer to California Independent and private colleges and universities.  Many of these schools are members of AICCU or you can find them on CaliforniaColleges.edu.  Some of the independent schools in the local area are:

• Dominican University of California (San Rafael)
• Pacific Union College (Angwin)
• Saint Mary’s College of California (Moraga)
• Samuel Merritt University (Oakland)
• University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global, formerly Brandman University) 
• University of San Francisco(San Francisco) 

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AICCU Transfer Guide

The Transfer Guide to California’s Independent, Nonprofit Colleges and Universities is meant to help counselors, students, and families learn about higher education options offered by the state’s independent, nonprofit colleges and universities.

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AICCU College Guide

Each year AICCU publishes a College Guide to California’s Independent, Nonprofit Colleges and Universities.  

The College Guide helps counselors, students, and families learn about higher education options offered by the state’s independent, nonprofit colleges and universities. Contrary to popular belief, independent, nonprofit higher education is affordable to many students because of financial aid offered directly by the colleges and universities.

• Download the AICCU Student Flyer!
• Map of AICCU Campuses
• Program Search
• Resources
• List of Institutions accepting Pass/No Pass grades

There are currently 12 independent, non-profit colleges and universities in California (member institutions of AICCU) that accept the Associate Degree for Transfer.  Beginning spring 2020, all of these campuses will accept students who earn an Associate Degree for Transfer (with a minimum 2.0 GPA) with guaranteed admission into the major they apply for. View the agreement between the California Community Colleges and AICCU here.  

THE CSU IS THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM IN THE NATION

We are the nation's most diverse four-year university—ethnically, economically and academically. We transform individual lives and drive California’s economy. Our students graduate with less (or no) debt and more job-ready skills, empowered to thrive individually and to contribute mightily to the success of their communities and state. There are 23 campuses to choose from! Visit our website for more information.

See more of the top “10 Reasons to Choose the CSU.”

Discover a new path to the California State Uni​​versity from a California Community College

 

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Transfer Success Pathway (Dual Admission to CSU)

​Are you enrolling in one of California’s 116 community colleges this fall? You could be eligible for a dual admission program that gives you the chance to pursue your bachelor’s degree at one of our 23 universities.

The new Transfer Success Pathway program is designed to increase access to the CSU. If you faced academic, financial or personal hardships that prevented you from attending the CSU, this program could help you get to the CSU to earn your degree.

Eligible students can apply to the program in order to:

• Enter into an agreement with the CSU and receive guaranteed admission to the degree program and campus of your choice (if all requirements are met)
• Receive personalized guidance from CSU representatives to create an educational plan that will help you transfer within three years or less
• Map out your coursework using the CSU Transfer Planner portal to ensure you’re on track for your degree

As guided by the Governor’s Council for Post-Secondary Education Recovery with Equity report and the Postsecondary Education Trailer Bill (AB 132)​, the Transfer Success Pathway program will help improve the student transfer experience while addressing potential equity issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, issues with academic preparation and other challenges facing high school students.

Take the first step by visiting the CSU Transfer Planner.

CSU Transfer Planner

ANNOUNCEMENT! 

We are excited to announce that the Transfer Success Pathway (TSP) program opens today! To give a quick overview, the TSP program is a transfer program that allows students to enter into an agreement with a CSU campus that guarantees admission for a future term. Students can sign an agreement between August 1 – September 30.

Students sign an agreement with a CSU campus via the Transfer Planner. The Transfer Planner is a tool that allows students to plan their transfer by recording their academic history and researching CSU campuses.

The eligibility requirements for TSP are as follows:

• First-time freshman who either:
• Wasn’t eligible to attend the CSU at the time you graduated from high school; Or
• Didn’t attend a CSU because of personal or financial reasons.
• ​Graduated high school in 2024 or prior and did not receive any college credit after high school graduation.

Please feel free to share this information with your students so they can take advantage of this transfer program!

The CSU has hosted a few webinars pertaining to TSP and the Transfer Planner. The webinars can be viewed via our CSU Webinar webpage. We also recommend going through the CSU Transfer Planner Community College Portal Help Center as it provides valuable information.

If you have any questions about TSP or Transfer Planner, please email us at: csutransferplanner@calstate.edu

 

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 CSU Campus events

Find your CSU

Transfer application guide

Virtual Tours

CSU GE Transfer Requirements

Historically Black Colleges and Universities

An agreement between the California Community Colleges and select Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) enables students who earn an Associate Degree for Transfer (with a minimum 2.0 GPA) to earn guaranteed admission to one of the 39 program participant schools. Some schools may require a higher GPA.  That information is in each MOU agreement. Inquiries can be submitted to HBCUTransfer@cccco.edu.

How You Qualify 
Any California community college student with a GPA of 2.0 or higher (NOTE: certain partner HBCU will require a higher GPA) is guaranteed admission to all partner  HBCU  institutions using either of the following two options. While at the California Community College:

Complete an Associate degree (ADT) using the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education Breadth pattern or complete a minimum of 30 UC or CSU units. 

Those students completing a Associates Degree (Non-ADT) are welcomed to apply to all partner institutions, however, the benefit of guaranteed admissions is not offered and all degree applicable units are subject to transcript evaluation.  

Click here to fill out the student interest form.  Student success coaches are available and assist you from application to graduation.

CCC to HBCU website

 Online Colleges and Universities

There are a variety of colleges and universities that offer online degrees and certificates.  While doing your research, please consider checking to see if the institution is non-profit and accredited.

Below are a few examples of online degree granting institutions.

San Jose State University

SJSU is expanding their online degree-completion programs.  They will now offer seven degree-completion programs, including new programs in Public Health and Public Relations. They also admitted more than 225 students - largest class yet - to join our more than 200 continuing students this fall.

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National University and ADTs

National University

National University offers a holistic approach to student support, well-being, and success, called “Whole Human Education.” It means we’ll be with you side-by-side, every step of the way, breaking any barriers you face in achieving your education.

4-Week Classes Start Monthly

190+ degrees, credentials, and certificates
Scholarships available
Year-round enrollment
Take classes online or on-site
Monthly course starts
Adult focused for 50 years
Transfer credits any time

National started the ADT scholarship in 2018 to help support community college students. 

Students who complete an ADT degree, whether it be an AA-T or AS-T and follow the IGETC or CSU Breadth pathway, and transfer to National within 12 months of completing their degree are eligible for this scholarship. 

This scholarship drops down the cost from $1,665 per course to $880 per course for a maximum of 20 courses! Most students who complete their ADT degree will take anywhere from 17-20 courses to complete their bachelor's degree which is why it is capped at 20 courses.

Along with the ADT, scholarship students are also eligible for the FastTrack Scholarship. The FastTrack Scholarship is every 4th class is free as long as you complete 3 classes successfully. When combined with the ADT scholarship it comes out to an almost 50% savings which do not include any grants such as PELL or CAL that students might be eligible for.

Their goal is to help students coming from a community college to help make education affordable (many students look at National and think private, which means expensive). Students who might be denied admission to a CSU or UC or students who are managing other commitments such as full-time employment, families, etc can still obtain a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited University.

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Southern New Hampshire University & California Community Colleges Partnership!

At Southern New Hampshire University- College of Online and Continuing Education, we believe everyone deserves the chance to transform their lives.  That’s why as a private, nonprofit institution we’re committed to making education accessible and affordable and dedicating ourselves to the only thing that matters: helping students succeed.

We accept up to 90 transfer credits and provide detailed course by course transfer pathways and course equivalencies as a standard practice within our articulation agreements. These transfer pathways provide a useful tool for students and advisors as they progress in their programs.  

The partnership benefits for California Community Colleges includes:

·        A 10% tuition savings for all undergraduate and graduate online degree programs. The undergraduate tuition extended to students is $288 per credit hour.

·        All staff, faculty, and family members are eligible for the tuition savings. (Self-identify and complete scholarship form each term.)

·        Waived enrollment fees.

·        A dedicated support team.

·        U.S. Military (full-time, part-time, spouse of active duty) will receive a 30% reduced tuition rate.

Learn more about the pathways for California Community Colleges here

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UMASS Global

UMass Global is a private, nonprofit, and regionally accredited university designed for the busy student and offers:

Six 8-week sessions year-round, term-based hybrid and online OR self-paced online
90+ career paths – including degree programs, emphasis areas, concentrations, credentials, and professional development.

Premiere partner tuition discounts for Napa Valley College transfer students, students' spouses and dependents, employees, employees' spouse, and dependents, for new student enrollments

Higher Education in Fairfield
UMass Global (formerly Brandman University) in Fairfield, California, is situated halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento and is home to the Jelly Belly Candy Company. Our location is conveniently located. Take the Hilborn exit off Hwy 80 and turn left on Martin Road. We are located in the WestAmerica Bank complex, directly across from Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District.

The Fairfield location was originally established in 1971 to provide educational opportunities to the nearby Travis Air Force Base. Since 1988, the location has been open to all students and offers a wide selection of undergraduate and graduate courses.

For answers regarding tuition, financial aid, transfer credits and more refer to the admissions section or call (800) 746-0082.

UMASS & Napa Valley College

As an independent, nonprofit university in California and a member of AICCU, UMass Global is proud to be just one of a handful of universities participating in this partnership with California Community Colleges. The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) is a special degree offered through all 116 California Community Colleges that will guarantee you a saved spot at UMass Global. In most cases, when you earn your ADT at your local community college, you will seamlessly transfer those credits to us with junior year standing. To learn more, meet with your Community College Counselor or speak to an enrollment coach today at 800.746.0082.

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Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is a fully accredited, non-profit online university that offers bachelor's and master's degree programs. There is an agreement that grants students who earn an Associate Degree for Transfer (with a minimum 2.0 GPA) guaranteed admission into the major program they apply for. WGU accepts students on a monthly basis, with programs beginning the 1st of each month. View the agreement between the California Community Colleges and WGU here. Click here to learn more about transferring to Western Governors University.

Explore the transfer pathways from Napa College to WGU here.

Western Governors University is a great fit for students who require a flexible bachelors degree program to  launch, revamp, or accelerate their careers.

• WGU is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution.
• WGU offers programs in business, education, health professions and information technology that are 100% online. 
• 70% of WGU students come from historically underserved communities.
• Our mission has always centered on making degrees accessible and attainable for all learners, regardless of their backgrounds.
• We offer industry-relevant programs that cost about half the national average.
• We provide dedicated mentors to ensure your alumni have the support they need.
• WGU students who transfer an associate degree complete their bachelor's degree in an average of 18 months.
• WGU Community College Partner Scholarship (valued up to $2,500). This scholarship is available for California community college graduates and staff looking to earn a WGU bachelor's or master's degree.
• Transfer Students Can Earn up to $1,000 Towards WGU Education on RaiseMe

Out of State Colleges and Universities
 
The top 125+ CCC Non-Profit Out-of-State Transfer schools are listed alphabetically by state here.

If the school has historically accepted CSU or IGETC General Education equivalency, it is noted on the last line of that schools’ information. General education information is especially designed to assist Counselors and students in obtaining accurate information about transfer.  However, this information is subject to change, which may impact admission.  The final responsibility of transfer rests with the student. Students are encouraged to meet with college counselors and advisers at their host institutions as well as contact their intended target transfer schools to confirm information and/or obtain further guidance.

15 Colleges With Affordable Out-of-State Tuition

Find a cheap out-of-state college.
The cost of tuition and fees is one of the biggest barriers for many prospective college students. Some public schools offer affordable tuition to in-state students and keep costs low for those from out of state, as well. Students looking for a low-cost education outside their home state should take a look at the following 15 colleges. This list includes four historically Black colleges and universities – Mississippi Valley, Elizabeth City, Alcorn and Jackson state universities – and all but one on the list are located in the South or Midwest. The list excludes U.S. service academies, which provide free tuition in exchange for a military obligation following graduation, and colleges in Puerto Rico, which tend to charge a lower amount than schools on the U.S. mainland.

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Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
America’s largest regional interstate tuition savings program.  The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is an agreement among WICHE’s 16 members, through which 160+ participating public colleges and universities provide steep nonresident tuition savings for Western students. Click here for the full list of participating WUE schools!

Through WUE, eligible students can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs outside their home state, and pay no more than 150 percent of that institution’s resident tuition rate. 

Since full nonresident college-tuition rates may exceed 300 percent of resident rates, WUE increases affordable higher-education choices for students, and minimizes the adverse impacts of student loan debt.

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Lawrence University in Appleton, WI is an example of an out-of-state university.  LU is a private liberal arts college and conservatory of music that focuses on engaged learning.

Virtual Tour

University of California

The University of California opened its doors in 1869 with just 10 faculty members and 40 students. Today, the UC system has more than 280,000 students and 227,000 faculty and staff, with 2.0 million alumni living and working around the world.  The UC system offers 160 academic majors and 800 degree programs. There are 10 campuses through the state. From UC Davis to UC San Diego, nine of our campuses house undergraduate and graduate education. UC San Francisco focuses on health education and it only offers graduate degrees. Academic Health Centers: Our six academic health centers have made some of California’s biggest breakthroughs in health. With top-ranked specialized care, support for clinical teaching programs, this is the home for spectacular innovation. National laboratories: We help oversee three national labs for the US Department of Energy. It’s where cutting-edge sciences meet the curiosity and vibrancy of UC life. Since 1943, they've had 13 Nobel laureates pass through these doors.

The World University Rankings, released in mid-May, evaluated nearly 20,000 universities around the globe to arrive at their assessment. The rankings placed seven UC campuses among the top 30 of all public universities in the United States, with four in the top 10: UC Berkeley (No. 1), UCLA (No. 3), UC San Diego (No. 7) and UC San Francisco (No. 9). UC Davis was rated No. 12, with UC Irvine No. 24 and UC Santa Barbara No. 27. These seven UC campuses also stood among the top 50 of all universities in the United States, public or private.
 
Learn more about UC’s global recognition in this May 25 article.

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Transfer Admission Planner

UC TAP is a free online tool to help prospective UC transfer students track and plan their coursework.

The UC TAP tool is designed for use by students transferring from California community colleges, including those students who are seeking a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) with one of the six participating UC campuses.

Students can use the Transfer Admission Planner to enter their coursework (completed and planned) from the very beginning of their college careers, or at any point when they decide to transfer to a UC campus.

The planner helps students track their progress toward meeting UC's minimum requirements, and allows UC staff to communicate important information to prospective transfer students.

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UC Dual Admission

The UC Dual Admission program supports students who want to transfer to UC by granting a conditional admission to a participating campus.

Who can participate in the Dual Admission program?

Freshman applicants are selected for Dual Admission. If you received the invitation, you’ve been selected for UC Dual Admission!

What are the benefits of participating in the Dual Admission program?

Dual Admission is a conditional admission guarantee to a UC campus with a Transfer Admission Guarantee program. Participants are offered extra support from UC while they fulfill their transfer requirements.

Why does UC have Dual Admission?

UC is committed to supporting and expanding access to UC. The Dual Admission program is designed to help applicants become students!

For more information, please visit the UC website.

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Transfer Admission Guarantee

Nothing feels better than getting a guaranteed place at UC. Which is exactly what TAG offers, at any one of six UC campuses. Follow the four steps below and secure your UC TAG. 

1. Choosing your campus 

Before you apply, figure out where you want to go. Check out our TAG matrix for a full list of the campuses in the program, and their individual requirements.

2. Complete your TAG application 

Use our Transfer Admission Planner to fill out your TAG application. If you have a community college counselor, review it with them. Don’t worry if you don’t—we have our own UC TAG advisors who can help you out. You’ll need to submit by September 30th for the fall term, or May 31st for the winter/spring term. Remember, if you miss the TAG deadline, you can still apply to UC during the regular application period (October 1–November 30).

3. Fulfill all your requirements

Once your application’s submitted, you’ll need to complete all your remaining coursework, and hit the GPA requirements in your TAG agreement.

4. Submit your UC application

When you’re on track for all of the above, fill out the application for admission to UC. Make sure you submit it between October 1–November 30.

This program is designed to guarantee acceptance for the student who fulfills a combination of grade point average, general education, and major course work requirements. Transfer Admission Guarantees are usually written 1 year before the intended term of transfer.

Napa Valley College offers Agreements with 6 UC Campuses: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, & UC Santa Cruz.

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Individual Campus TAG Websites

UC Davis: https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfer/transfer-admission-guarantee/

UC Irvine: http://www.admissions.uci.edu/apply/transfer/guarantee.php

UC Merced: https://admissions.ucmerced.edu/transfer/tag

UC Riverside: https://admissions.ucr.edu/transfer/transfer-admission-guarantee

UC Santa Barbara: http://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/apply/transfer/tag

UC Santa Cruz: TAG

Additional Tools to assist you in planning and organizing courses for your chosen major.

• UC Transfer Pathways provide a simple way to identify coursework expected by all nine UC undergraduate campuses for 21 specific majors.
• UC Transfer Pathways Guide shows courses at your community college that meet the specfic course expectations.

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Quick Reference Guide to UC admissions

Preparing transfer applicants

Transfer Application Guide

UC Berkeley Tour

UC Davis Virtual Tour

UC Irvine Virtual Tour

UCLA Campus Tours

UC Merced Virtual Tour

UC Riverside Campus Tours

UC San Diego Virual Tour

UC Santa Barbara Campus visits and virtual tours

UC Santa Cruz visits and virtual tours

UC IGETC Requirements

Undocumented Student Resources: Applying to a UC

Transfer Info sheet

CCC Transfer Counselor Website

The Transfer Counselor Website (TCW) was created in 2007.  It is designed for California Community College (CCC) Counselors who assist prospective transfer students from the CCC system.  The TCW contains transfer information for all schools in the CCC, California State University (CSU), University of California (UC), and Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) system.  It also contains specific information regarding the CCC partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other public and private colleges and universities throughout the United States. The TCW is grant funded by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.

CSU Counselor Resources Website

Counselors at high schools and community colleges are essential partners with the California State University in helping our students prepare for and succeed in college. This directory includes the most popular CSU resources used by high school and community college counselors and educators.

CSU Transfer Programs

UC Counselor Resources Website

Transfer Model Curriculum

Common application: counselors and recommenders