ACCEPTANCE GUIDE FALL 2027
AT CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY, WE BELIEVE EACH PERSON IS CREATED FOR A PURPOSE.
ACADEMICALLY PREPARED
BIBLICALLY ROOTED
CBU provides a Christ-centered education that unites academic excellence, spiritual growth and community to shape who you are and who you’re becoming.
You’ll be challenged to think deeply, live boldly and discover your calling, equipped to make a lasting impact in the world for God’s glory.
GLOBALLY MINDED
EQUIPPED TO SERVE
The official slogan and hand signal of CBU. A gesture of pride, unity and belonging.
Lance the Lancer is the spirit of CBU in motion. Bold and energetic, he represents Lancer pride across athletics, events and campus life.
The Kugel is a floating granite globe at the center of campus. A symbol of Christ’s Great Commission and the global mission of the University.
• DURING WELCOME WEEKEND
• BEFORE INTERNATIONAL SERVICE PROJECTS (ISP)
• WHEN WALKING ACROSS THE STAGE AT GRADUATION STUDENTS TOUCH THE KUGEL
Through ISP experiences, students carry the meaning of the Kugel beyond campus serving globally and returning with a deeper sense of purpose, calling and impact.
This booklet is your step-by-step guide to becoming a CBU Lancer and preparing for your first semester. Stay on track for your first day of class on:
We understand that making your college decision is a big step. At CBU, we’re committed to providing an excellent educational experience and opportunities for social and spiritual growth.
From the moment you enroll, you’ll be welcomed by 100% Christian faculty and staff who are committed to helping you live your purpose. With over 80 undergraduate majors, you will surely find one that prepares you for your career and calling.
Founded in 1950, CBU spans 162 acres and serves over 12,000 students. Our campus features modern classrooms, student housing, award-winning dining facilities and recent additions, including a 1,450-space parking structure, an expanded Recreation Center and the newest housing area, Magnolia Crossing — home to more than 500+ Lancers.
As you begin your journey at CBU, this booklet is designed to guide you through your next steps — from confirming your enrollment and applying for financial aid to registering for classes, securing housing and preparing for Welcome Weekend. If you have any questions, our Admissions team is here to support you every step of the way.
Again, congratulations on your acceptance to CBU. We look forward to seeing you become part of the Lancer Nation and wish you the best in your academic career.
Sincerely,
The Undergraduate Admissions Office
Now that you have been admitted to CBU, please confirm your intent to enroll through your acceptance email.
Explore grants, scholarships and loans with help from CBU’s Financial Aid team.
Living on campus? Apply online, create your profile and select your desired living area.
Attend Lancer Day
Discover if CBU is the right fit — connect with future students and attend breakout sessions tailored to your interests.
Sign up for New Student Class Registration
Register for classes virtually with guidance from Academic Advising.
Attend CBU Connect to meet future Lancers and complete key enrollment steps. Optional, but encouraged.
Submit your Tuition and Fee Agreement and make payment arrangements to cover your balance.
This event is required for all new students to get connected to the campus community and your future classmates.
Connect with Other Future Lancers
Download ZeeMee to connect with future Lancers in the “Incoming Class of 2027” group chat.
Help us get ready for you! Let us know your intent to enroll by completing the form below so we can warmly welcome you as a new Lancer.
SUBMIT YOUR INTENT TO ENROLL calbaptist.edu/fall
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19–20
Government aid is awarded by both the state and federal government as determined by the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at fafsa.gov
CBU’s School Code
CBU offers a variety of financial resources to make Christian education affordable for everyone. 001125
• Cal Grant: Up to $9,358
To be considered, students must submit a FAFSA and the GPA Verification Form. For more information, go to csac.ca.gov.
• Federal Pell Grant: Up to $7,395
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Up to $2,000
• Federal Direct Student Loan
• Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan
100% OF INCOMING TRADITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID
Incoming Freshmen* Academic Scholarships
• Trustees Scholarship: $18,000 4.0 GPA and above
• Presidents Scholarship: $17,000
3.9–3.99 GPA
• Deans Scholarship: $16,000
3.3–3.89 GPA
• Directors Scholarship: $14,000
2.95–3.29 GPA
Need-Based Grants
• CBU Grant:
A need-based grant awarded by CBU’s Financial Aid Office. Submitting a FAFSA is required to determine eligibility.
• CBU Cal B Assistance: $7,710 for the first year This is for students who qualify for Cal Grant B from the State of California.
• Minister’s Kin: $3,250 per year
• Multiple Siblings: $2,000 per year
*Academic scholarships are based on a student’s cumulative weighted GPA. These scholarships are guaranteed if academic requirements are met. Renewable if a minimum of 2.0 GPA is maintained.
Incoming Transfer* Academic Scholarships
• Transfer Platinum: $15,000 3.75 GPA and above
• Transfer Gold: $14,000 3.5–3.74 GPA
• Transfer Blue: $13,000 3.0–3.49 GPA
• Transfer Bronze: $11,000 2.5–2.99 GPA
Department and Major-Specific Scholarships
• Drama
• Music
Department Major-Specific
• Applied Theology
• Architecture
• Art Therapy Studies
• Broadcast and Digital Media Production
• Speech / Debate
• School of Christian Ministries (Double Major)
• Computer Science
• Construction Management
• Data Science
• Engineering
• Digital Media Communication
• Film and Cinematic Arts
• Fine Art
• Graphic Design and Visual Experience
• Illustration and Entertainment Design
• Interior Design
• Journalism
• Photography
• Public Relations
Use this checklist to navigate the financial aid process. Help is provided on the CBU website and from the Financial Aid Office.
Go to fafsa.gov to complete your application. CBU’s federal code is 001125. Federal grant amounts are based on the results of the FAFSA.
First, complete the GPA Verification Form at your high school or college. Then, submit your 2027–2028 FAFSA. Estimated Cal Grants are based on your GPA and family income until confirmed by the California Student Aid Commission (usually in May).
You’ll get a printed financial aid offer by mail and an email notification — view it online at calbaptist. edu/myoffer using your LancerLink login.
After enrolling, regularly check your email and LancerMail for any missing documents or verification requests to complete your FAFSA and confirm your aid.
After reviewing your financial aid on LancerLink, accept, decline or reduce your aid as needed — if you can’t take action, check your email for missing documents.
As a new student, your Tuition and Fee Agreement and final payment arrangements must be made with the Student Accounts Office by: August 11, 2027
CBU offers an online semester payment plan. If you are interested in this plan, visit the Student Accounts tab on LancerLink.
Financial aid helps make college more affordable, though it may not cover the full amount of tuition — CBU offers options to assist with any remaining costs.
Students who file a FAFSA and are accepted to CBU automatically prequalify for low-interest Federal Direct Loans with limits based on grade level and repayment typically after graduation. These can either be subsidized (zero interest during enrollment) or unsubsidized (accruing interest during enrollment).
Direct Loan limits are based on grade level:
$5,500 (up to $3,500 Subsidized) — Freshman
$6,500 (up to $4,500 Subsidized) — Sophomore
$7,500 (up to $5,500 Subsidized) — Junior/Senior
Cannot exceed maximum limits
Parents can apply for a PLUS Loan at studentaid.gov for up to $20,000 per year; if denied, you are eligible for an additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
You may apply for a private educational loan with a credit-worthy cosigner up to your remaining cost of attendance — visit LancerLink for lender options and details.
APPLY FOR A STUDENT LOAN studentaid.gov
Your CBU story begins in a space that feels like home. Choose from fully furnished housing in freshman halls to apartment-style living designed for comfort, connection and growth.
After the housing application has been completed and the $100 non-refundable reservation fee has been processed by the Housing Services Office, room selection will take place. Each student will be sent an email from HousingServices@calbaptist.edu once they have been cleared for room selection.
Once notified, room selection will be available within the student housing portal.
Once notified, students will be given a timeslot to complete the room selection process. Room selection timeslots will be assigned based on the submission date of the housing application and the housing reservation fee.
1. Fill out your online housing application at calbaptist.edu/ housingapp.
2. Pay your $100 housing reservation fee* by sending Housing Services a check or paying through CBU’s Payment Portal on LancerLink.
*Your housing application will not be processed until we receive your housing reservation fee.
Tower Hall provides suite-style living for freshman students. Each suite includes a living room, kitchenette, bathroom and one bedroom that will accommodate three students.
The 16 cottages on campus can accomodate approximately 160 residents total. Each cottage has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen/ common area and a laundry room.
YOU CAN LIVE ON CAMPUS ALL FOUR YEARS
Smith Hall, our men’s dormitory, and Simmons Hall, our women’s dormitory, are both three-story buildings with each floor divided into four smaller communities called wings. Each wing consists of approximately 14 doubleoccupancy rooms and a common bathroom. Each floor has a spacious common area or lounge where residents can study and hang out.
The Village is conveniently located near Brisco’s Café and offers a variety of suite-style living options. Suites include a living room, kitchenette, bathrooms and multiple bedrooms that can accommodate six to nine students.
Upperclassman students have several different apartment-style living areas to choose from, many of which have been recently renovated. Residents have the opportunity to experience events and programs each semester that allow them to build community with their neighbors. Living on campus is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so make the most of it!
THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE IN RIVERSIDE IS A PERFECT 79.5 DEGREES. DON’T FORGET YOUR SUNSCREEN AND SUNGLASSES!
Now that you are accepted, you are invited to Lancer Day, a full-day spring preview event designed to help you explore CBU and celebrate those who have already committed.
Meet professors, attend breakout sessions with key campus offices, connect with future classmates, tour the campus and join the Choose CBU Party — where you can officially commit and kick off your next chapter. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!
CBU Connect is a single-day event for incoming students to connect with future classmates, finalize enrollment steps with campus offices and enjoy personalized support from Admissions. Participants can join student and parent lunch sessions, get their ID photo taken with same-day pickup and access campus amenities early. Attendance is optional but highly recommended.
calbaptist.edu/connect
The Student Accounts Office at CBU helps you manage tuition payments and stay on track to graduate by offering payment arrangements and support with fees, due dates and refunds. You can easily review and manage your account online through LancerLink by accessing the Student Accounts tab. Familiarizing yourself with these tools ensures timely payments and a smooth enrollment experience.
PAYMENT DUE DATE
AUGUST 11, 2027
To attend classes, students must complete the Tuition and Fee Agreement and make approved payment arrangements covering their full balance by the payment due date. Payment for the current semester must be settled before registering for future semesters. Students registering after the payment due date should promptly contact the Student Accounts Office to arrange payment.
Students are responsible for covering tuition and fees each semester. If parents, grandparents or other individuals are assisting the student, the student will need to complete a FERPA Information Release Form giving the Financial Aid and Student Accounts offices permission to discuss their account details with the authorized individuals.
To live on campus, you must submit a $100 housing reservation fee, which is applied to your overall student balance. Your housing application won’t be processed until the fee is received.
• Single payment: Make in office or online through LancerLink on the Student Accounts tab.*
• Automatic semester payment plan: Enroll online through LancerLink on the Student Accounts tab.
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants and loans must be awarded and accepted.
* eCheck payments are accepted at no additional charge. Credit and debit card payments are accepted and a convenience fee will apply.
951.343.4371
studentaccounts@calbaptist.edu
Welcome Weekend kicks off your journey at CBU with events and activities designed to help you connect with campus resources, classmates, community and to Christ.
This required event is your first step in adjusting to college life and making lasting connections. To support your transition beyond the weekend, CBU offers the First-Year Experience (FYE) program. First-time freshmen who are not married and under 20 years of age will be placed in an FYE group with fellow new students.
Your FYE leaders and fellow students will be an important part of your Welcome Weekend and continue with you in the required FYE course during the fall semester. This course is designed to help first-time freshmen build skills like time management, budgeting and understanding personal strengths.
Transfer students and those 20 or older will also be placed in groups led by transfer FYE leaders who offer support and connection through activities and campus resources.
We’re excited to support your transition to CBU and are glad you’re part of the Lancer family!
cbuwelcome.com
