Student Affairs and Enrollment Services

Becoming a Project Rebound Scholar

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. 

To be eligible for Project Rebound, you must:

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

Prospective Students 

Project Rebound recognizes the importance of access to quality education for all and assists motivated individuals to prepare, apply, enroll, and graduate with a university degree. 

Admissions criteria for CSU Monterey Bay: (How to Apply)

• First Time Freshman: 
  • • Submit High School Transcripts/GED
    • Completed A-G requirements with grades C- or better
    • Submit ACT or SAT Scores (not currently required) 
• Transfer Students: 
  • • Have completed 60 units
    • Submit transcripts for each college attended
    • 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 for admissions and how to apply

Our Services

Project Rebound’s Matriculation Support Services are designed to help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully transition into college life. We provide: 

• Personalized guidance through the admissions and enrollment process
• Assistance with financial aid and academic planning
• Connections to vital campus and community resources

• Special admissions support for individuals who may not qualify through traditional pathways due to:
  • • Missed application deadline
    • Minor academic deficiencies
    • Other related barriers to university acceptance
• Financial support to cover transcripts and other matriculation-related fees
• For those who do not immediately qualify for admission, we offer a clear pathway to future enrollment — we believe in “not yet,” never “no”
• Referrals to partner programs like Rising Scholars to support continued educational progress and readiness

 

Our goal is to empower students to thrive academically and personally from day one.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Project Rebound family!