Gators grads return to the ballpark for the ninth year Class of 2025, save the date for San Francisco State University’s 124th Commencement, which will be Friday, May 23, 2025, at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. This is the ninth year the downtown ballpark will host the more than 30,000 graduates, family members and friends anticipated for the celebration. “I look forward to Commencement each year,” said San Francisco State President Lynn Mahoney. “I love celebrating the success of our students as they embark on their next journey. I stand proudly on the sidelines knowing we’ve prepared them to take on the problems of tomorrow.” More information about the May 23 ceremony will be shared throughout the year as it becomes available. Keep checking the SFSU Commencement website for updates! Follow SFSU on social media and tag your Commencement posts #SFSU2025.

Applying for financial aid can feel overwhelming. But with our financial aid guide, you’ll navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) like a pro. Whether you’re an SFSU student or not, we’re happy to provide some tips and tricks to make your 2025 – 2026 FAFSA application smooth and easy. Important dates Dec. 1: Applications have opened March 3: State aid priority deadline Guide to preparing 2025-2026 FAFSA applications Create a StudentAid.gov login (FSA ID): Visit studentaid.gov and select Create Account. Save your FSA ID somewhere safe — you’ll need it every year! Complete the 2025 – 2026 FAFSA form: Go to studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and log in with your FSA ID. Fill out the form with personal and financial information. In most cases the IRS will directly transfer all of the tax information the FAFSA needs! Sign and submit: Sign the FAFSA electronically, ensuring that both the student and parent (if applicable) sign before submitting. Wait for financial aid offers: SFSU will use your 2025 – 2026 FAFSA to create a financial aid package. You’ll receive the package via email, and it will be available on your Student Center. Offers will be available in early 2025. Guide to preparing 2025-2026 CADAA applicationAccess the 2025 – 2026 CADAA application: Visit dream.csac.ca.gov to start the application. Gather required documents: You’ll need federal income tax returns and/or W-2s. Select San Francisco State University as your school and use school code 001154!  Complete the CADAA form: Fill out the application online with personal and financial information. Review instructions carefully. Sign and submit: Sign electronically using the provided options on the CADAA platform. If applicable parents may sign electronically as well once the application is completed! Wait for financial aid offers: SFSU will use your 2025 – 2026 CADAA to create a financial aid package. You’ll receive the package via email, and it will be available on your Student Center. Offers will be available in early 2025. Not sure which application to fill out? Learn more about the 2025 – 2026 FAFSA and CADAA applications at financialaid.sfsu.edu/start. Campus resources The Financial Aid Outreach Team hosts Fin Aid Fridays to help with any financial aid questions you may have. Learn more about these events by visiting financialaid.sfsu.edu/fin-aid-fridays. Other questions? Reach out to the SFSU Office of Student Financial Aid at (415) 338-7000 or finaid@sfsu.edu. Good luck, Gators!

Pocket Opera collaboration brings Animation students into new film adaptation of Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ 

The grants expand research opportunities in engineering, robotics and quantum computing

Free food, cooking demos, workshops and more help SFSU students avoid food insecurity

Over 2,000 SFSU students trained in leadership development and career readiness San Francisco State University’s office of Career and Leadership Development (CLD) celebrated the 10th anniversary of the President’s Leadership Fellows Program (PLFP) on Wednesday, Nov. 13, bringing together alumni, University leaders and supporters to commemorate a decade of transformative impact. The event also honored philanthropist Kathy Kwan, whose support has been crucial to the program’s success. Since its launch in 2014 as a pilot initiative serving just 25 students in the Lam Family College of Business, the PLFP has grown significantly. Today, it’s equipped over 2,000 students across all disciplines with the skills needed to thrive in the professional world. The program, which transitioned to the office of Career and Leadership Development (CLD) in 2017, provides career-focused leadership training and mentorship through a semester-long curriculum. Open to juniors, seniors and graduate students, it meets weekly over lunch, offering interactive workshops on essential career skills such as resume building, interview techniques and networking. Participants also engage in self-exploration activities to build confidence and articulate their strengths.

‘Red Mars’ author Kim Stanley Robinson talked to the University community about how different sectors can come together to tackle the climate crisis

For 125 years, a ‘harmonic convergence’ at SF State has brought together students of many backgrounds for education, justice and social mobility