Student Affairs and Enrollment Services

Eligibility and Expectations

Project Rebound welcomes inquiries from anyone who has been previously incarcerated or has prior criminal justice system involvement and is interested in attending Cal State Monterey Bay to obtain their degree. All current Cal State Monterey Bay students who have lived experience with the criminal justice system are also eligible to participate in Project Rebound. Our admission requirements are as follows:

Eligibility 

To be eligible for Project Rebound, you must:

    1. Be formerly incarcerated (can be on or off parole/probation);
    2. Be living or paroling to the Monterey, San Benito, or Santa Cruz Counties; 
    3. Possess the ability and commitment to perform college-level work;
    4. Be motivated to succeed and benefit from a college education;
    5. Maintain satisfactory progress and complete ideally 12 but at a minimum 6 units each semester;
    6. Submit an admission application to Cal State Monterey Bay (CalApply);
    7. Submit a financial aid application
    8. Complete Questionnaire

Additional criteria for: 

    1. First Time Freshman: 
      • Submit High School Transcripts/GED
      • Submit ACT or SAT Scores
    2. Transfer Students: 
      1. Have completed 56-60 units
      2. Submit transcripts for each college attended
      3. Satisfactory completion of the “Golden Four” with a C- or better
        1. A1) Oral Communication 
        2. A2) Written Communication
        3. A3) Critical Thinking
        4. B4) Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning 

Click here to complete the questionnaire

Expectations

Project Rebound aims to ensure your success at Cal State Monterey Bay and help you develop the tools you need to be successful after you graduate. We welcome all people with lived experience being formerly incarcerated to participate in our program. As a Rebound Scholar participating in this program, we expect the following from you:

  • Make a full commitment to participating in Project Rebound each year;
  • Meet with the Project Rebound Executive Director or Program Coordinator at least once per semester;
  • Participate in program activities and be an active participant in the Project Rebound community;
  • Attend and actively participate in at least one workshop each semester;
  • Maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average (higher requirements to be eligible for financial aid support);
  • Make positive contributions to the Project Rebound community and engage with Rebound staff and scholars in a meaningful, respectful, and courteous manner.