Running Start New Students

To meet the deadline, you must submit all qualifying documents by the deadline date. 

Priority Deadlines

Summer Quarter: May 1
Fall Quarter: May 1
Winter Quarter: Nov. 1
Spring Quarter: Feb. 1

Final Deadlines

Summer Quarter: Jun. 1
Fall Quarter: Sep. 1
Winter Quarter: Dec. 1
Spring Quarter: Mar. 1

• Be under the age of 21 at the beginning of the school year
• Be classified as a junior or senior in Washington
• Not, as of the beginning of the school year, have received a high school diploma or earned the credits for a diploma (excluding a GED)
• Qualify into English 101
  • There are a variety of ways to qualify for ENGL&101. You only have to qualify through one of the options listed below.
    • High School Transcript with cumulative GPA of 3.3+ and a B or better in the most recent English class from an accredited institution
    • Smarter Balanced Assessment Score of Level 3 or 4
    • Qualifying AP Scores
    • Completion of ENGL& 101 equivalency (College transcript required).
    • Accuplacer Assessment Writing and Reading scores of 260+
    • ACT (within 2 years) English Score of 19+
    • SAT (within 2 years) English Score of 460+
    • PSAT (within 2 years): cumulative GPA x 200 + English Score = 1100+
      • Not an option for homeschool/private school students due to lack of cumulative GPA from an accredited institution.
• College level math placement is not required for entry to the Running Start Program, but may be helpful to complete high school graduation requirements or STEM Pathways.
  • See Math Accuplacer Scores Placement
  • See High School or College Transcript Math Placement

Home School Students

Home School students should also contact the local school district where parents reside to determine how to access Running Start. Each district determines the process for home school students to access Running Start. When applying to Running Start, home school students can submit other qualifying scores instead of a home school transcript. 

We recommend home school students to complete the placement test to determine starting points for English and math courses but we will accept other qualifying scores.

Note: Every quarter the student is enrolled, they must complete a Running Start Enrollment Verification Form documenting the student's grade level and it must be signed by a school district official or high school counselor.

Private School Students

Private school students must enroll in a public high school to participate in Running Start. Students may have dual enrollment in the private school and public school and do not have to take classes at the public high school.

Running Start Pays For:

• Up to a maximum of 21 tuition-free credits based on a students combined high school and Olympic College schedule
• Courses numbered 100 level or above

Students Pays For:

• Tuition and fees for credits over approved classes at high school and Olympic College
• Mandatory College fees (approximately $180-$225 per quarter)
  • e-Learning - $6 per credit, no maximum - for classes that have an online component
  • Security Enhancement - $20
  • Student Services - $5 per credit (up to 10 credits, maximum $50)
  • Technology - $5 per credit, up to 10 credits, maximum $50)
  • Any additional class fees (e.g. lab fee)
• Books
• Transportation
• Courses numbered below 100

Funding/Credit Limit Table

This table should be used by students to create their high school and college schedules. If a student stays within the credit limits listed below, they will not owe tuition for their college courses.

Running Start Funding/Credit Limit Table

Financial Assistance

Running Start students are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid. However, Olympic College offers a Running Start Fee Waiver for low income students, including students who qualify for Free and Reduced Price Lunches at their high school. If you think you may be considered low income and qualify for the Running Start Fee Waiver, please view and submit the Running Start Fee Waiver Application.

The Fee Waiver covers all mandatory college fees (except consumable fees for Culinary Arts and Welding) for 100 level classes and above. Fees and tuition for classes under the 100 level (level 99 and below) will not be covered by the Fee Waiver. Additionally, tuition and fees will not be waived for any class above the student's quarterly credit limit stated on their RSEVF.

Students needing assistance with tuition above their Running Start quarterly credit limit may submit a Running Start Tuition Waiver Appeal Form. This form must be submitted prior to the first day of the quarter. Completing this form does not guarantee we will waive tuition charges. 

Students eligible for the Running Start Fee Waiver have access to borrow textbooks through our Running Start Lending Library Library.