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CSU Early Start Program

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CSU Early Start Program at Cal State Northridge

CSU Early Start Program at CSU Northridge

Admissions and Records › CSU Early Start Program

Executive Order - EO 1048

Starting Summer 2012

Beginning preparatory work in the summer prior to starting at any Cal State University is a mandate from the Chancellor's Office.

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Disclaimers

Cal State Northridge has made reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information throughout this website. All information is subject to change without notice or obligation.

The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees, without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by The Board of Trustees.

Cal State Northridge Welcomes You to Early Start

The California State University (CSU) system recently enacted a policy known as "Early Start," requiring incoming first-time freshmen who do not demonstrate readiness for college-level math and/or English to begin remediation during the summer before enrolling in the CSU. The goal of Early Start is to better prepare students in math and English before their first semester, thereby improving their chances of completing a college degree.

Unless exempt, you must attend the CSU Early Start Program in summer 2012 in order to enroll in fall 2012 classes at your destination campus (i.e., the campus to which you have been admitted). For more information about the CSU system-wide program, see www.csusuccess.org/earlystart

Program Participation

Your test scores on the English Placement Test (EPT) and/or the Entry Level Mathematics Test (ELM) will determine whether or not you need to participate in the CSU Early Start Program:

Students needing remediation will be required to address English or math or BOTH subject areas by enrolling in the Early Start Program.

If you have been admitted to Cal State Northridge (CSUN), you can view your EPT/ELM test scores by logging into myNorthridge Portal and viewing My Checklist. Learn more:

To find out if you need to take CSU Early Start, log into the CSU Smart Page (available at CSUN no later than May 1, 2012) as explained below at How to Enroll in Early Start.

Early Start Exemptions

The following students will not be required to participate in the Northridge Early Start Program:

Students who believe they should be exempted from the Early Start requirement on the basis of their disability need to contact Cal State Northridge Disabilities Resources and Educational Services (DRES) or the National Center on Deafness (NCOD).

Fees and Financial Aid

Early Start courses offered at any of the CSU campuses will have the same fee rate. The current fee estimate is $182 per unit and is subject to change based on approved fee increases. An additional campus fee of $2.00 may be required at CSUN. Campus parking and course books may also be required for purchase.

Early Start fee waivers will be available for those demonstrating need. California residents who apply for financial aid by March 2, 2012 and have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $5,000 or less may be eligible for a waiver for any course meeting Early Start Program requirements.

Financial Aid
2012-2013 Federal and California Financial Aid application period begins January 1, 2012
Priority consideration given to those who file FAFSA by March 2, 2012
Document deadline for on-time Fall 2012 financial aid May 1, 2012

Courses

If at all possible, you are strongly encouraged to complete the Early Start Program with the CSU campus to which you've been admitted. Taking Early Start classes at your destination campus allows you to meet professors and other students, connect to the campus community, and transition smoothly to your fall term English and math instruction.

  1. CSUN’s Early Start program consists of one-unit course options in writing and math. One-unit courses offer an intensive learning experience and will fulfill the Early Start requirement. The earliest courses begin June 4, and the last courses end August 3, 2012. Online courses will be available.

    Look up CSU Early Start courses and dates
  2. Students may also participate in the Early Start program offered at any other CSU campus. This may be appropriate for non-local students. Some CSU campuses are planning to offer online course options as well.
  3. Please note: You will not be able to fulfill Early Start requirements at any of the Los Angeles-area community colleges as they do not offer an equivalent to the Early Start courses. 

How to Enroll in Early Start

To enroll in the CSU Early Start Program:

  1. Take the EPT/ELM tests no later than the May 5, 2012 test date. Because demand is heavy and seating is limited, it's smart to sign up for an earlier test date. Please see:
    —EPT/ELM test dates
    —EPT/ELM registration
  2. Go to the CSU Smart Page link, located in the student Web Portal of the CSU campus to which you've been admitted. CSUN students should log into myNorthridge at www.csun.edu, locate My Checklist and select the CSU Smart Page link.
  3. Review your CSU Smart Page to:
    —Find out if you need to participate in the Early Start Program
    —See if you qualify for an Early Start fee waiver based on your FAFSA information
    —Indicate the location where you will fulfill Early Start English and/or math requirements. You are strongly encouraged to take Early Start classes with the CSU campus you will attend in Fall 2012.

    Note: CSUN students must declare their plans to fulfill the Early Start English and/or math remediation requirements using the CSU Smart Page no later than July 15, 2012.
  4. Once you've completed the CSU Smart Page, you will receive Early Start course enrollment information from the CSU campus you selected. Be sure to complete the CSU Smart Page before enrolling in Early Start classes.

Northridge anticipates that its link to the CSU Smart Page in myNorthridge will be available no later than May 1, 2012.

Key Dates

The chart below lists important dates for the CSU Early Start Program at Cal State Northridge (CSUN) in summer 2012 and for enrollment in the Fall 2012 semester.

Summer and Fall 2012
Earliest possible date to register in Fall 2012 classes with your advisor.* April 10, 2012
• Earliest possible date to log into the CSU Smart Page
• Last day to file Intent to Register for Fall 2012
May 1
Last day to take EPT/ELM tests ** May 5
Earliest possible date to enroll in CSUN Early Start courses May 15
First CSUN Early Start Math courses begin June 4
First CSUN Early Start English courses begin June 18
EPT/ELM scores received by CSUN June 25
Deadline to complete the CSU Smart Page July 15
Deadline to complete CSUN Early Start courses August 5
Send final official high school transcript to CSUN for receipt by August 17


*Make an appointment with an academic advisor in the College of your major or ARC/EOP if undecided. See Academic Advisement.

**Because of heavy demand and limited seating, you should sign up for the EPT/ELM tests much earlier than the May deadline. View earlier test dates.