Frequently Asked Questions about Running Start

Running Start is a statewide program that allows high school juniors and seniors to take college-level courses without paying tuition. You can receive both high school and college credit for classes completed at the college level.

All high school juniors and seniors are welcome and able to participate. There is no GPA requirement or selection process.

You get to experience the college environment at a lower cost! The credits earned through Running Start counts toward high school graduation requirements AND a college degree. There is a wide variety of classes for many educational and professional pursuits.

All dual enrollment programs will allow you to earn both high school and college credits. Here’s what sets Running Start apart:

• Experience a real college environment by attending classes on campus, working with college-level instructors, and sharing a classroom with other college students.
• Choose from hundreds of classes at the college.
• Credit is earned by passing the course rather than taking a standardized test. Depending on the course, grades are assigned based on a combination of participation, projects, papers, and tests, allowing all learning styles to succeed.

You will succeed in Running Start if you are self-motivated and have strong time management and study skills. Remember that you will be in an environment with people of all ages, including adults, and that there may be topics of an adult nature discussed in the classroom. There are resources available on campus to support you if you are struggling.

You will earn college credits that can set you on a path to your future. You can take college classes to transfer to a university. You can also take classes to prepare for a career out of high school. During Running Start, you can work towards earning a degree, and you could even finish that degree while you are in Running Start! If you aren’t sure what you want to do, take classes to experience the college environment and explore new subjects.

Check the Academic Calendar or the Running Start Calendar for more information about deadlines and important dates.

There are two “holds” you may have placed on your account as a Running Start student.

The registration block is placed for missing documents. If you have this hold, you will need to submit an Enrollment Verification Form and/or complete the enrollment process before you can register for next quarter.

An enrollment protection or administrative delay is placed on Running Start students to prevent them from being dropped from courses due to non-payment. Payment is due on the first day of the quarter.

If you attend a private school, you must first enroll in your local public school for funding purposes. The counselor at your private high school will advise you on courses to take toward high school graduation. The public school counselor will sign off on the Enrollment Verification Form.

If you are homeschooled, you must work with the district in which you have filed the Intent to Homeschool paperwork in order to complete the Enrollment Verification Form. Please see the district office to find the signing authority for Running Start students.

If you are a Degree Completion student, have your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form signed by your local public high school counselor. Make sure you meet with an Academic Advisor to ensure you are on track for meeting degree requirements.

Yes, it is possible. Scheduling can be tricky as the first and second semesters in the high school overlap during winter quarter. Talk with your high school counselor to learn about how high school scheduling works if you wish to begin winter or spring quarters. We accept applications at any time!

Eligible students can participate for a maximum of six quarters (fall, winter, and spring quarters of their junior and senior years). Students who start mid-year are eligible for the remaining quarters only. Running Start will not fund summer quarter classes, but if students wish to self-pay tuition and fees, they can attend during the summer quarter.

You can participate in all three quarters of your senior year as long as you save at least one high school graduation requirement for your senior year. If you take your final required course in the fall quarter, you can continue through winter and spring quarters.

Tuition is free! You will pay for fees and textbooks. Fees are waived for students that meet certain income criteria. A full-time student (15 credits) who does Running Start for six quarters could save about $8,000 on tuition costs at Edmonds College! While books and fees can be expensive, you will save much more on tuition. Find out more about costs.

Running Start students are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid. Other funding programs are available for qualifying students, such as the Fee Waiver Program or Textbook Resource Program.

Running Start students must pay for their fees and/or excess tuition on or before the first day of the quarter. General Edmonds College students have an earlier deadline. You may be dropped from classes if you do not pay by the first day of the quarter.

For more information, check out our Costs and Fee Waiver pages.

You can enroll in classes at the college, at your high school, or both!

Students may take classes day, evening, or online.

Yes, Running Start students can take classes in any instruction mode: in-person, online, or hybrid. Online courses can be a big transition for Running Start students who are used to learning in a structured classroom environment. Online classes will require you to be highly motivated, disciplined, and have solid time management skills. Many online classes are “asynchronous,” meaning there is no required meeting time, and the work will be mostly self-paced. Hybrid courses (both online and in-class coursework) may be a great option if you are unsure about doing an online asynchronous class.

Your high school counselor will know and will specify this on your Enrollment Verification Form each quarter. The number of credits you can take at college is determined by how many classes you take at your high school.

View the table below for an explanation of how college credits are calculated into high school credits. Keep in mind that a college course lasts one quarter, while a high school course will take the entire year.

College Credits	High School Credits	Types of Courses
5	1.0	Most English, Math, History, etc.
4	0.8	Some Horticulture, Social and Human Services, etc.
3	0.6	Finance/Money Management
2	0.4	Some PE Classes
1	0.2	Some PE Classes

Review the Parent/Guardian agreement and familiarize yourself with the requirements and guidelines of the program.

You can assist your student with the enrollment process, but note that the student’s ID number will not be given to anyone else besides the student. You do not need to be present when the student submits paperwork. It is important that your student learns to monitor their email and manage their participation in the Running Start program. We prefer to receive all paperwork from the student directly.

 Edmonds College complies with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  Without the student's written permission, information will not be released to a parent or guardian (including tuition and fees). Information will be disclosed to a parent orguardian ONLY if we receive a FERPA release submitted by the student or if the parent/guardian establishes the student’s dependency as defined by the IRS. Instructors will not be available to speak with parents or guardians about a student’s progress.

If you are concerned about your student, we recommend you talk with the high school counselor about any questions or concerns regarding academic progress.

If you plan to transfer to a 4-year school or university, you must request an official transcript. This allows the school to evaluate your earned credits and decide whether they will accept them. You can request an unofficial transcript at any time on ctcLink.

Request a Transcript

Your IEP will not automatically transfer to the college. You will need to contact Services for Students with Disabilities and set up an access appointment to arrange accommodations in your college classes.

Services for Students with Disabilities