Next Steps to Becoming a Gator

#sfsubound

We are thrilled to welcome you to the Gator family. This checklist will walk you through the next steps to start your future at SF State.

Say YES! to SF State

Complete these two steps as soon as you know that you want to join the SF State Gator Family and are ready to make it official.

1. Accept your Admission Offer

To accept your offer, you first need to set up your Student Center account with a password. Visit the SF State ID for New Student Password set up to complete this step. Make sure to have the SF State ID provided in your acceptance notice handy. You’ll need it.

Now let’s accept that offer.

  1. Log into gateway.sfsu.edu. Under the LaunchPad, click on the Student Center button.
  2. Once in your Student Center, go to the Admissions section and under the My Applications box, click Accept or Decline and ACCEPT YOUR OFFER!
  3. When prompted, pay the non-refundable $100 deposit, which is applied to your first-semester tuition (unless eligible for an automatic waiver). Select the type of payment and complete the payment process. Make sure you don’t have pop-ups blocked on your browser, or you won’t be able to complete payment.
  4. Your Student Center will automatically update with your acceptance status.

Having problems, need help troubleshooting? Try following our step-by-step guide or watching the Accept Admissions Offer video or contact our admission reps at (415) 338-6486 or ugadmit@sfsu.edu, who will guide you through the process.

2. Submit Current Official Transcripts

Your offer of Conditional Admission is based on the information you reported in your Cal State Apply admission application. We will need to confirm that you reported accurately in your application and that you are on track to complete all admission requirements.

Submit current official transcripts from each institution attended so that we can confirm your offer.

Official college transcripts should include grades earned through Summer 2024 and any in-progress Fall 2024 courses. Check your To Do List in the SF State Gateway for more detailed information about which documents are needed and the due date.

Official high school transcripts should include all of your grades and your date of graduation.

How to Send Transcripts:

Your school(s) may be able to send official transcripts through a secure electronic service, like EDI or Parchment, which is preferred. If not, please provide them with the mailing address below. Transcripts sent as email attachments or uploaded to the document submission portal are not considered official.

Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132

For more information about how to submit transcripts and how to view your To Do List, visit the Submitting Transcripts page.

Prepare for Enrollment

Now that you have committed to SF State by submitting your official transcripts and accepting your admission offer, follow the next steps below to get ready for your first semester.

1. Set Up Your SF State Email Account and Two Factor Authentication

After accepting their admission offer, students will be automatically assigned an SF State email account. We will send detailed instructions regarding your SF State email account to your personal email address once it has been created. Once enrolled, you will receive critical reminders regarding class registration for the upcoming semester and other important information at that account.

You will also receive instructions for setting up two-factor authentication which will be required to access SF State information resources and helps protect your student account.

2. Apply for Housing

At SF State, you will find a variety of housing options with everything you need to make you feel comfortable in your new home and to help you make a smooth transition to college life.

For more information on how to apply, visit the Housing website.

3. Sign up for Orientation & Register for Classes

New Student Orientation is your next step to your transition to SF State. Orientation is an excellent opportunity to explore campus and the surrounding Bay Area, meet with current students, make new friends, mingle with future classmates, register for your courses and more!

Visit the student orientation website to reserve your spot and learn more about what orientation offers.

Guests are highly encouraged to attend orientation with their student. Although they will have their own separate agenda for the day, they will learn how to support their student through their college experience and transition through presentations and guest speakers. For more information please visit our Family & Student Supporter Orientation Page.

4. Review your Financial Aid Options

Did you know that 64% of our students receive financial aid? At SF State we believe in investing in your future, and that’s why we provide a variety of public and private financial aid options, including grants, Work-Study awards and loans. In the 2022-23 academic year, we awarded over $300 million in financial aid to our students.

To maximize your aid consideration, we strongly encourage you to apply for financial aid early.

The 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Applications (CADAA) are available. Make sure to list SF State as your top school choice (school code: 001154).

To review your financial aid award:

  1. Sign-in to the SF State Gateway. Under the LaunchPad, select Student Center
  2. Under the Finance section, click View Financial Aid and select your aid year.
  3. To accept your Financial Aid Award, click on Accept/Decline awards at the top of the page.

If you have any questions, visit the Financial Aid website.

Check out our Financial Aid Friday sessions covering various financial aid topics and previous recorded sessions: financialaid.sfsu.edu/fin-aid-fridays

5. Finish Strong

Our admission offers are typically conditional and based on the self-reported information entered on the Cal State Apply admission application.

Admission offers will remain conditional until we receive your official final transcripts and have verified that all admission requirements have been met.

So, keep up the hard work and successfully complete the remaining classes you have in progress! Keep in mind that a minimum grade of C- is required for certain admission requirements. Also, some majors might have higher minimum grade requirements for the degree.

Please know that if you do not successfully complete all of your requirements in progress, you may have your admissions rescinded. If you end up dropping a class or receiving a grade below C-, reach out to us immediately so that we can discuss your options: ugadmit@sfsu.edu or 415-338-6486.

6. Send Final Transcripts

To verify your final admission eligibility, please plan to submit official, final transcripts from each institution attended.

Spring 2025 admitted students:

Official transcripts must be sent in a sealed transcript envelope to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132

See our guide on submitting transcripts for more information.

7. Submit AP/IB/CLEP Test Scores

Official AP/IB/CLEP Test scores are not automatically forwarded to SF State from your previous institution. Therefore, if you have taken any College Board Advanced Placement (AP) tests, International Baccalaureate (IB) tests or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, arrange to have your official results sent to San Francisco State University by visiting the following websites:

8. Stay on Top of your To Do List

Check your email regularly for updates from the Admissions Office and log on to your Student Center and click on the To Do List section to make sure you complete any additional items on your list.

Information for International Students

If you are a New International Student on F-1 visa status, please visit the New International Students Page for additional F-1 visa-related information.

Information for Readmitted Students

If you are a returning student who has been readmitted, please visit the Readmitted Students Resources Page for helpful information as you transition back to SF State.