Early Start 2022 has now ended! Check back in March for information about Early Start 2023
Early Start is a summer program that allows students to build on their academic skills so that they are even more prepared for college-level work. Incoming freshman who are on pathway 4 for math or English take Early Start before the fall semester begins. (Pathway 3 students may opt in to Early Start). We recommend that students take Early Start at SF State, but it can be completed at any CSU.
* Cost is $191 per unit plus a mandatory fee of $1 for Health Facilities and $1 for the Student Union. Eligible financial aid applicants with an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $6,000 or less may be eligible for a fee waiver of the per unit ESP fee. If you are eligible, the waiver will automatically be attached.
* Since the Early Start classes will be entirely online this year, you will need access to a computer and access to the internet. If you do not have access to a computer you can check one out from the Library as part of the Extended Laptop Checkout program. You do not need to live locally as the laptop will be mailed.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Option | Course # | Course Name | From | To | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESE 101 | Step to State English | 6/6/22 | 6/10/22 | Asynchronous |
| 2 | ESE101 | Step to State English | 6/13/22 | 6/17/22 | Asynchronous |
| 3 | ESE 101 | Step to State English | 6/20/22 | 6/24/22 | Asynchronous |
| 4 | ESE 101 | Step to State English | 6/27/22 | 7/1/22 | Asynchronous |
| 5 | ESE 101 | Step to State English | 7/11/22 | 7/15/22 | Asynchronous |
| Option | Course # | Course Name | From | To | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESM 102 | Early Start to College Mathematics | 8/1/22 | 8/5/22 | Synchronous: 12:30p - 3:15p |
| 2 | ESM 102 | Early Start to College Mathematics | 8/8/22 | 8/12/22 | Synchronous: 9:00a - 11:45a |
| Option | Course # | Course Name | From | To | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESM 101 | Early Start to Calculus | 8/1/22 | 8/5/22 | Synchronous: 12:30p - 3:15p |
| 2 | ESM 101 | Early Start to Calculus | 8/8/22 | 8/12/22 | Synchronous: 9:00a - 11:45a |
The library has an Extended Laptop Checkout program. You will need to know your Student ID number in order to participate in the program. You do not need to live locally over the summer as they will mail you the laptop.
If you do live locally, you can use one of the computers in the library Research Commons.
Payment is due within 5 days of registration in the class. If you register within 5 days of the start of class, payment is due within 24 hours of the start of the course. For directions on how to pay the balance, see the Bursar's office instruction video (use "Early Start" in the reference field).
The most common reason for being dropped from an Early Start class is for non-payment. The deadline to pay for an Early Start class is 5 days after registering for the class (if you register within 5 days of the start of class, payment is due within 24 hours of the start of the course.)
If you have been dropped for non-payment, you can re-register but you must pay the fee within 5 days or you will be dropped from the class again.
While we generally recommend taking Early Start here at SF State, you can complete Early Start at any CSU.
If you are interested at taking Early Start at a different CSU, you will be able to see all of the options listed on the CSU Student Success site starting in the beginning of May 2023.
AB540/Dream Act/DACA/Undocumented students are not required to take Early Start. Students interested in opting into Early Start should email Andrew Brosnan at abrosnan@sfsu.edu.
Early Start is a California State requirement; therefore, out of state students and international students do not participate in Early Start.
If you are in the area in the summer and can complete all domestic student requirements, do so. If you are living abroad in the summer, there is a process to join the international students at their orientation. Please contact us at gatorsmartstart@sfsu.edu to discuss the process. Note: for summer orientation 2023, students should simply join any freshman orientation that works for their schedule.
If you are a student who is seeking accommodations, please contact our Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC) at dprc@sfsu.edu or 415-338-2472.
Obtain a Cal Vet Fee Waiver letter for 2022-2023 academic year form your local county Veterans Service Office. This is the correct year because summer 2023 is included in the 2022-2023 academic year. For further information, contact veterans@sfsu.edu.
Email us at gatorsmartstart@sfsu.edu!
For directions on how to pay the balance, see the Bursar's office instruction video (use "Early Start" in the reference field).