SFSU partners with SFUSD and CCSF to guarantee admission for eligible students

SAN FRANCISCO — Oct. 23, 2025 — San Francisco State University (SFSU) is finalizing a partnership agreement with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and City College of San Francisco (CCSF) to create a guaranteed admission pathway for local high school seniors and community college students who meet eligibility requirements. The new program eliminates the uncertainty of the application process and expands opportunities for students seeking an SFSU degree. The partnership represents a major expansion of the long-running SF Promise initiative, the University’s commitment to creating educational opportunities for families in the City and County of San Francisco.

“SFUSD, CCSF, and SFSU are deeply committed to providing S.F. residents with high-quality education and access to upward mobility. Together, we fuel the workforce, innovation and success of the City and the Bay Area,” said SFSU President Lynn Mahoney. “This agreement will strengthen our commitment to San Francisco students and families by guaranteeing that higher education — and the opportunities it creates — remains within the reach of all.”

“This partnership is an incredible opportunity for our students,” said SFUSD Superintendent Maria Su. “By knowing in advance that they have a guaranteed path to SFSU, our graduates can plan with confidence and focus on their academic success.”

“We are excited to offer our graduates a guaranteed pathway to SFSU,” said CCSF Chancellor Kimberlee Messina. “This agreement provides CCSF graduates with the certainty of admission, ensuring they can continue their educational journey seamlessly and achieve their goals.”

The new initiative is part of SFSU’s ongoing efforts to remove barriers for prospective students. The University already guarantees admission for eligible military veterans and foster youth via the Guardian Scholars Program.

"For San Francisco to be a world-class city, we need a world-class education system. Our residents and families deserve that," said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. "I am proud to announce this initiative that will transform the path to higher education for thousands of San Francisco students. This program is the result of true collaboration, and I want to thank the leadership at SFUSD, City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State for coming together with one goal in mind: our students' success."

To qualify for guaranteed SFSU admission, SFUSD graduates will need to complete the required A–G high school courses with a grade of C or better and earn at least a 2.5 GPA in those courses taken in grades 10–12. Transfer students from CCSF will need to complete at least 60 transferable units with a minimum 2.0 GPA across all colleges attended and finish the “Golden Four” core courses — Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking and Math/Quantitative Reasoning — with a grade of C- or better.

SFSU is a public university in the California State University system committed to preparing students for meaningful careers and bright futures. SFUSD is the seventh-largest school district in California, serving more than 50,000 students across the city. CCSF is one of the largest community colleges in the nation, providing affordable and accessible education to more than 40,000 students each year. Together, these three women-led institutions are strengthening access to higher education for San Francisco students.

Visit the SFSU Guaranteed Admission website for more information.

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About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is a public university serving students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across California and around the world, with nationally acclaimed programs that span a broad range of disciplines. About 20,000 students enroll at the University each year, and its nearly 300,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Through them — and more than 1,900 world-class faculty members — SF State proudly embraces its legacy of academic excellence, community engagement and commitment to social justice. For more information, visit sfsu.edu.

About SFUSD: San Francisco Unified School District is the seventh largest school district in California, educating over 50,000 students every year. San Francisco is both a city and a county; therefore, SFUSD administers both the school district and the San Francisco County Office of Education (COE). This makes SFUSD a “single district county.” Visit: www.sfusd.edu. 

About City College of San Francisco

Since 1935, City College of San Francisco has offered instruction opportunities, serving more than 40,000 students annually at six locations throughout San Francisco. The College offers an affordable opportunity to earn associate degrees, prepare for transfer, pursue career and technical education, and personal development and enrichment. Visit: www.ccsf.edu.