Timeline for transfer applicants

Please use this two-year plan to help you plan your transfer to UC Santa Cruz and meet your deadlines and milestones!

First Year—Community College

August

• Research your UC Santa Cruz major and familiarize yourself with transfer screening requirements, if any.

• Create a UC Transfer Admission Planner (TAP).

• Meet with a UC Santa Cruz representative or California Community College counselor to discuss your transfer goals and plan a UC Santa Cruz Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG), available at all California community colleges.

October-November

• Oct. 1–Mar. 2: Apply for financial aid annually at studentaid.gov or dream.csac.ca.gov.

• Take a Campus Tour, and/or attend one of our Events (Check our events page in the fall – we update our calendar frequently!)

March–August

• At the close of each term, update coursework and grade information on your UC Transfer Admission Planner (TAP).

  

Second Year—Community College

August

• Meet with a counselor to ensure you are on target with your transfer plan.

• Start your UC undergraduate application for admission and scholarships as early as August 1.

September

• Submit your UC TAG Application, September 1–30.

October

• Complete and submit the UC undergraduate application for admission and scholarships from October 1 to December 1, 2025 (special extended deadline for fall 2026 applicants only).

• Oct. 1–Mar. 2: Apply for financial aid annually at studentaid.gov or dream.csac.ca.gov.

November

• Attend one of our many virtual and in-person events!

• Your UC undergraduate application for admission and scholarships must be submitted by December 1, 2025 (special extended deadline for fall 2026 applicants only).

  

December

• Log in to your Admissions Portal, and check it frequently for updates about your admission status. You may also use your Admissions Portal to make updates in your contact information.

January–February

• Jan. 31: Priority deadline to complete the Transfer Academic Update.

• Notify UC Santa Cruz of any changes in your planned coursework using your Admissions Portal.

March

• Mar. 2: Submit your Cal Grant GPA verification form.

• Mar. 31: Deadline to complete the Transfer Academic Update.

• Notify UC Santa Cruz of any dropped courses and D or F grades you receive during spring term on the Admissions Portal.

April-June 

• Check your UC Santa Cruz admission status on the Admissions Portal and financial aid award on the MyUCSC Student Portal starting early April.

• If admitted, attend spring events for transfers!

• Accept your admission online on the Admissions Portal by June 1. You may accept your admission to only one UC campus.

• If you receive a waitlist invitation, you will need to opt in to the UC Santa Cruz waitlist. Please see these frequently asked questions about the waitlist process.

July

• Winter application filing period opens July 1. For more information on transferring for winter, please see our Winter Transfer Information page. Ready to apply? Go to the UC application page

September

• Winter quarter admission decisions appear on my.ucsc.edu on approximately September 15. You will also receive an email from us letting you know that decisions are ready.

October

• The deadline to accept your offer of admission for winter quarter admission on the Admissions Portal is October 15.
• ​

Best wishes on your transfer journey, and contact your UC Santa Cruz representative if you have any questions along the way!