Running Start New Students

• 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)
• Have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 or above
  • Students who want to challenge the 2.5 GPA requirement must submit an appeal letter. See GPA Appeal Process.
• Qualify into English 101 and/or college level mathematics for maximum access to classes
  • English 101 Eligibility
    • Accuplacer Writing and Reading scores of 260+
    • High School Cumulative GPA of 3.3+ and a B or better in Regular or Honors English Course from an accredited institution. 
    • Smarter Balanced Assessment Score of Level 3 or 4
    • 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+
  • Math Placement
    • See Placement Assessment Scores
    • See High School or College Transcript Placement

Note: If you do not place into college-level English, contact Assessment & Testing to schedule a placement exam.

SCHEDULE PLACEMENT EXAM

Note: Students who do not place into college-level English and/or math, who want to experience a collegiate environment while continuing to develop their computation and reading/writing skills outside of Running Start. may enroll in a limited selection of Olympic College courses. See our Limited Access Course List for more info. 

Students who do not meet the cumulative 2.5 GPA requirement may complete the Running Start GPA Appeal Form

The GPA Appeal Form will request that you address the following:

• Describe your high school experience and any extenuating circumstances that resulted in a GPA below a 2.5, and what is different now?
• Why do you believe you are a good candidate for Running Start?
• What traits, skills and habits do you possess that will help you succeed in college classes?
• What are  your educational goals?
• If admitted to the Running Start Program, what class(es) would you want/need to take at Olympic College?

The Director of Running Start will contact your high school counselor and consult with them regarding your appeal letter and will make a decision regarding probationary admission into the program.  

Home school students should complete the placement test to determine starting points for English and math courses.

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 may submit a letter of recommendation instead of a high school transcript. Every quarter the student is enrolled, they must complete the 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 - The Security Enhancement Fee is charged for courses held at the Bremerton, Poulsbo and Shelton Campuses.
  • Student Services: $2 per credit (up to 10 credits, maximum $20)
  • Technology: $5 per credit, up to 10 credits, maximum $50)
  • Any additional class fees (e.g. lab fee)
• Books
• Transportation
• Courses numbered below 100
• Summer quarter classes (depending upon eligibility)

Funding Limit Table

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

Financial Assistance

Running Start students are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid. However, Olympic College offers a Running Start Tuition and Fee Waiver for low income students. Students are considered low income if they meet the federal income guidelines for free or reduced priced meals through the National School Lunch Program (or have been eligible within the last five years), or are currently in a Foster Youth Program. Students that are currently eligible for Free or Reduced Priced Lunches at the high school should work closely with their high school counselor to fill out the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form properly for easy access to waiver.  Students that are not currently eligible, but have been within the last five years should view and submit the Running Start Fee Waiver Application.

The waiver covers all mandatory college fees (except consumable fees for Culinary Arts and Welding).Students needing assistance with tuition above their Running Start quarterly eligibility may submit a Running Start Tuition Waiver Appeal Form. Form must be submitted by the first day of the quarter. Completing this form does not guarantee we will waive tuition charges.

Students that are eligible for the Running Start Tuition and Fee Waiver, are also eligible to borrow some textbooks through our Running Start Textbook Loan Library.