KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Fresno State Application Deadline Nears

Fresno State Application Deadline Nears

By Norma Yuriar

Fresno, Calif.  (KMPH News) — The clock is ticking for students hoping to attend Fresno State University next year.  Applications are due in just a couple of hours.

The November 30th midnight deadline comes on the same day that university offices closed because of a mandatory furlough.

A university spokesman said Fresno State has less money than it needs stay open every day of the week because of the state's budget problems.  Campus was closed Monday.  Students will still have the opportunity to submit their applications until 12:00am.

"I'm going to have to apply soon," Matthew Juarez said.

Make that really soon, Juarez has less than two hours left to submit his application to Fresno State.

"I've just been really busy and find the time to sit down and focus on registering because I would do that all online," Juarez said.

The Fresno City College transfer student says there is also the added pressure – that he may not be accepted.  It's a reality for thousands of other college hopefuls.

"They said it takes a lot longer now, they are only accepting a certain number of students per year," Fresno City College Student Casey Mitchell said.

Fresno State University President John Welty said the State's budget battle has left the entire Cal  State University system with no other choice than to cut enrollment and raise tuition.

"Yes, I am worried about that," Pezhman Talebnezhad said after submitting his college application.

The university has already had to deny admission to 600 qualified students.

"I hope I get in.  They have a really good Forensic lab there," Fresno State applicant Brianna Provencio said.

Provencio,18, is facing stiff competition.  The 23 campus system is cutting enrollment by about 40,000 because of a $564million budget shortfall.

"I put in [my application] a couple months ago, but they have not gotten back to me yet," Provencio said.

With applications reaching a record high and less money from the state -- Fresno State University is not accepting lower division transfers for Fall 2010.

"I'm really concerned that I might not get accepted, but my plan would be to wait until the Spring of 2011 and try to apply for that if I don't get in for Fall," Juarez said.

The Admissions Office at UC Merced is also expecting a last minute flurry of online applicants.  Students applying to the UC system have until midnight Monday.