Admission/Registration Procedure for New Students

Step 1. Apply for Admission

Before you can begin classes and start a degree program you first must be admitted to CSU, Chico. You must meet the same university admissions requirements and deadlines as on-campus students. You may request that an information letter be emailed to you; this letter will give an overview of our program and include the link to obtain an online application to the University. These degree programs are designed for students who have completed two years at a community college or at a four-year college, with all lower division general education requirements met.

The application process is nearly always open for the programs offered in Redding. If you have application deadline questions, please contact either (1) the Liberal Studies Program advisors at (530) 898-5802, lsonadv@csuchico.edu or (2) the College of Business Advisor, Amy Lance at (530) 898-4480 or arlance@csuchico.edu. The application fee is $55 and includes an evaluation of your transcripts.

Note: If the formal admissions deadline has past, there may still be a way for you to enroll in a course on a space-available basis (see Open University).

Step 2. After Admission: Read the Catalog. Talk to an Advisor

It is highly recommended that you talk to your advisors to setup your academic plan: (1) general academic advising and (2) major program advising. Be sure you have read the section of the University Catalog that pertains to your program requirements before calling your advisor.

Step 3. Set up your Portal account

Go to the Portal Account Tools web page. You will set up your Portal account using your 9-digit student ID number (which will be on your admission verification letter) and your date of birth. It is through the Portal that you will add, drop and access your courses.

Step 4. Review available courses for your major

Go to the current schedule of courses offered in Redding and current schedule of online classes; This will show you the details about courses available for the upcoming term that are related to your major.

Step 5. Registration through the CSU, Chico Portal

Before the registration period opens, the University will give you an online "appointment" date and time to begin enrolling in your classes. At that time, you will log into your portal account to enroll online.

Step 6: Pay Your Fees

You will be responsible to pay your registration fees by the appropriate deadline. Read the Fees, Tuition, Refunds and Holds for complete details. If you applied for financial aid, go to the Financial Aid Web site or call the Financial Aid Office at 530-898-6451.

Step 7: How do I Access my Online Class?

If you have enrolled in an online course, the Portal will automatically provide you with access to the courses in which you are enrolled. First, click on "Vista" under "My Course Resources." If you have any problems using the portal, just use the toll-free number for Student Computing help, 1-800-780-4837, and the technical staff there will assist you. Many instructors should have instructional materials available one week prior to the start of the semester.

Step 8: Be Prepared for Class

If a syllabus is posted, review the course outline and booklist. Approximately two weeks before classes start, you can purchase your books online through the CSU, Chico Associated Students Bookstore (click on the box toward the bottom of the page titled "Chico Distance & Online Education").

Step 9: How do I Drop a University Center or Online Class?

To drop a University Center or online course during the add/drop period, utilize the registration tool on the Chico State Connection web portal. To check the deadline dates for dropping a course, please visit http://www.csuchico.edu/vpaa/calendar/ or contact the Registration Office at 530-898-4555.

Up until the end of the second week of the semester, you may drop courses through your portal account. During the third and fourth weeks of the semester, the instructor's permission -- in the form of a signature -- is needed on a Change of Program (COP) form. Contact Continuing Education at 530-898-6105 and we will fill out the form and obtain the signature for you.

After the fourth week, a serious and compelling reason is required for dropping a course. We will contact the Professor, Department Chair and Dean to request written approval for the drop and complete the COP form. If the approvals are granted, we will forward the completed documents to the Registration Office for processing. Please follow-up with the Registration Office at least two weeks after your COP form has been submitted to make sure you have been dropped from the course.