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Apply to the Honors Program
Apply Today: Applications Open October 2026
Calling all current high school seniors and transfer students! Applications to apply for the GE Honors Program for the Fall 2027-Spring 2028 school year open October 2026. Check back October 1st, 2026 for a link to the GE Honors Program's 2027-2028 application.
For any questions, please see the frequently asked questions below or reach out to honors@csus.edu.
Steps to Apply to GE Honors
| Steps | When |
|---|---|
| 1) Complete a CalState Apply application for Sacramento State. Please note that you can only apply to Sacramento State from October 1, 2026 to November 30, 2026. | Applications open October 1st-November 30th |
| 2) Once you have completed your CalState Apply application to Sacramento State, set up your new student account with Sacramento State. Check your email for a welcome email with instructions from Sacramento State 1-3 days after completing your CalState Apply Application. | After completing your CalState Application for Sacramento State |
| 3) Complete the GE Honors Application on our website to be considered for the program. Spots fill quickly so apply early and before the April 1st deadline! | October 1st, 2026-April 1st, 2026 |
| 4) Confirm your acceptance with both the GE Honors Program AND Sacramento State. These are two separate steps so make sure both are completed. | Deadline: May 1st, 2027 |
| Optional: Interested in living on campus with other Honors Students? Apply to live in the Honors LLC in Mt. Whitney Hall. On your Housing Application, indicate that you are interested in the Honors LLC. Availability in the Honors Housing Community is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Acceptance to the program does not guarantee students a spot in Housing's Honors Community. For more questions on Housing options, reach out to the Housing Office. | TBD - Check back in February for a link to the 2027-2028 Housing Application |
| Optional: Apply for Sacramento State and GE Honors Scholarships. Make sure you indicate that you are in the GE Honors Program to be eligible for Honors Scholarships. Awards will be distributed for Fall of 2027. | October 1st, 2026-March 2nd, 2027 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Applications
High school seniors and community college students who will be attending Sacramento State starting in the Fall of 2027 are eligible to apply for the GE Honors Program during the October 2026-April 2027 application window. Transfer students complete our Minor in Global Engagement and Leadership.
While the minimum cumulative high school GPA guideline is 3.5 (weighted or unweighted is fine), we welcome all students who see themselves as curious, creative, and engaged learners to apply for our program, regardless of past performance.
If you are a current Sacramento State student and are interested in joining the GE Honors Program, please reach out to us directly at honors@csus.edu.
GE Honors offers motivated students a smart, engaging way to complete most of their General Education requirements while pursuing any major. Courses are small (about 25 students) and unlike traditional Honors or AP/IB courses, GE Honors isn’t about more work, it’s about learning better in a collaborative, supportive, and fun environment.
The program also offers students the opportunity to build a close-knit community, engage in a variety of social events, receive one-on-one advising and support, and build academic and personal skills through unique courses, internships, and community service opportunities.
Visit What is the Honors Program? to learn more about our program and how it can benefit you throughout your time in college.
To complete the GE Honors Application, you will complete a short application that provides us with information about yourself (like your hometown, high school, GPA, etc). You will also complete two short essay questions (all responses are under 500 words).
You will also need to attach copies of the following:
- A high school and/or community college transcript
- A writing sample that you feels best illustrates your writing ability
Yes! Even if you know that you may attend a different college, you are still more than welcome to apply to the GE Honors Program.
We are looking for students who are passionate about learning and are interested in being apart of the GE Honors and Sacramento State Community. Strong applications demonstrate a student's desire to grow, strong critical thinking skills, a well-written writing sample, and passion for the things that are important to them.
Keep in mind that our students come from all different majors, backgrounds, experiences, and regions.
Reach out to us at honors@csus.edu or (916) 278-2804! Our team is happy to answer your questions and provide you with more information about the program.