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Rialto Unified formalizes direct‑admit pathway with Cal State San Bernardino for eligible seniors
Summary
Rialto Unified and California State University, San Bernardino signed a memorandum enabling eligible seniors who meet A–G requirements and a minimum 2.5 GPA to receive direct admission without submitting an application first; CSUSB and district officials said FAFSA completion and Pell eligibility will affect financial aid offers.
Rialto Unified School District officials on Oct. 22 announced a formal partnership with California State University, San Bernardino to give eligible district seniors direct admission to the four‑year university.
Dr. Manny Buriaga, Rialto USD’s executive director of education services, said the memorandum of understanding will allow eligible 2026 seniors who meet A‑through‑G course requirements and have a minimum 2.5 GPA to receive an offer of admission from CSUSB without submitting a separate application. "This initiative represents a major step forward in our ongoing commitment to ensuring future readiness in our district," Buriaga said.
Dr. David Dufo Hunter, CSUSB’s vice president for strategic enrollment management and marketing, told the board the university will receive a district list of qualifying students and reach out to offer admission. "Direct admission is a process whereby we will work with the school district to identify students who are A through G eligible who meet the minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher in order to receive direct admission to CSUSB without submitting an application first," he said.
CSUSB officials said the program aims to identify students who might not otherwise apply and to invite them to campus events so they can see housing, meet faculty and learn about supports. University staff described financial‑aid pathways including Pell and the state university grant; Hunter said about 65–70% of the students in the district are Pell‑eligible and urged families to complete the FAFSA so costs can be clarified. "Financial aid shouldn’t be a barrier for students who want to attend CSUSB," Hunter said.
District and university officials said CSUSB will also provide institutional scholarships and campus visits for directly admitted students. The board signed the agreement at the meeting and invited members to form follow‑up outreach plans with high‑school counselors and parent engagement staff.
What happens next: District staff will provide CSUSB with a list of qualifying students in the coming weeks, CSUSB will communicate offers to those students, and the district plans group FAFSA assistance and campus visits for admitted students in coordination with high‑school counselors.
Provenance: Presentation and signing announced to the board (board presentation by Dr. Manny Buriaga, Dr. David Dufo Hunter), SEG 695–SEG 783.
