Update on Transforming CCCApply for a Better Student Experience

Reimagine Apply

In alignment with the Governor’s Roadmap for the California Community Colleges and a key pillar of Vision 2030 – ‘systems development to remove barriers at scale’ – the Chancellor’s Office initiated the reimagining and development of a new student-centered application process and supporting system architecture for prospective and returning students. The goal is for the resulting online application to be intuitive, inclusive, and secure, providing a best-in-class first impression to current and future students.

The Reimagine Apply Task Force (Task Force) was formed in February 2024 to provide expertise in the development of the new application and guarantee a comprehensive statewide perspective. The Task Force was composed of members from the Student Senate, Chief Information Systems Officers, Institutional Research, the Technology Center, Financial Aid, Chief Instructional Officers, Public Information Officer, Academic Senate, Admissions & Records, Chief Executive Officers, and Chief Student Services Officers.

Target State

In the past year, the Task Force aligned on a design approach tested by students that is modern, minimalist, and mobile-first. The streamlined application, with branching logic that reduces the number of questions, ensured applicants only answer those questions relevant to their desired education/training objective. In designing the application, an emphasis was also given to ensuring there was robust, tightly integrated fraud detection and prevention.

There was a consensus to transition to a commercial solution and the group created an RFP process with an 11-member RFP Committee and a 47-member Extended Committee consisting of students, faculty and statewide experts in admissions, accessibility, technology, research and student services to systematically compare and assess each proposal. Finally, the Task Force identified key attributes such as location, size, campus setting, and the Student Information System (SIS) technology for Wave 1 colleges who would act as early-adopters.

RFP Process

The development of the RFP requirements for the new application system included input from statewide stakeholders, Task Force members, the CCC Tech Center, and Chief Information Systems Officers Association (CISOA). The RFP was posted in October 2024 and 10 vendors submitted applications. The RFP Review Committee narrowed the finalists to four to participate in vendor demonstrations in February 2025 where both the RFP Committee and the Extended Committee evaluated the solutions presented. Through careful and extensive deliberations, the RFP Review Committee gave their recommendation for a preferred vendor to the Chancellor’s Office. The process now requires the Butte-Glenn CCD Board of Trustees to commence contract negotiations with the selected vendor.

Reimagine Apply Steering Committee and Implementation Advisory Group

In anticipation of the completed contract, a 21-member Reimagine Apply Steering Committee has been formed with representation from 10 statewide associations, the 12 districts who have volunteered and confirmed participation in Wave 1, and the Chancellor’s Office. Each of the 12 districts also named leads for admissions, financial aid, student services, institutional research, and IT that make up the 64-member Reimagine Apply Implementation Advisory Group (Implementation Advisory Group).

The following districts are participating in Wave 1: El Camino CCD, Imperial CCD, Los Angeles CCD, North Orange County CCD, Peralta CCD, San Bernardino CCD, San Diego CCD, San Francisco CCD, Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Joint CCD, South Orange County CCD, Ventura County CCD, and Yuba CCD.

The Implementation Advisory Group will be responsible for the following:

  • Finalize solution requirements and key design decisions for a successful implementation of the new application system
  • Ensure the implementation meets the diverse needs of all stakeholders with representation from all major associations
  • Act as liaison to communicate updates/changes between representative districts/associations and the vendor
  • Ensure the respective district/ association provides appropriate support for the design, build, testing, and training

The Steering Committee will be responsible for the following:

  • Oversee key decisions regarding the new application system
  • Ensure alignment with strategic vision for new application system
  • Deliberate and resolve conflicting design and/or requirements decisions
  • Review and approve functional and technical requirements and solution design
  • Review and approve changes
  • Discuss and address risks and issues escalated by the Implementation Advisory Group and Project Core Team

For more information, please visit Reimagine Apply | California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office