BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Cal State University Bakersfield returned to this week with a record number of returning students, the university said.

CSUB's 2020-21 academic term began on Monday, with some 11,694 students starting the school year. Of that number, 8,052 are returning students, the largest number of continuing students to register for classes in CSUB history. Some 643 graduate students have enrolled, which exceeds last year's number as well.

Along with a record number of returning students taking the virtual journey for their degrees, CSUB said the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships has disbursed $39,514,241 to 7,024 students, an increase of $2.3 million over last year. The university said more aid will continue to be delivered to students who have completed the FAFSA for Fall 2020.

In May the CSU System announced its decision to shift most of CSU’s classes online because of COVID-19.

During a virtual town hall Thursday, CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White said about 93% of the roughly 81,000 courses the CSU offers this fall will be virtual, calling it “a mind boggling achievement.”