Costs

Running Start is a tuition-free program. School districts will cover the cost of student tuition, up to the maximum credits listed on your Enrollment Verification Form. Students are generally still responsible for some costs associated with attendance. However, eligible students may request a fee waiver (see section 3, Fee Waivers). Detailed information is available on the College’s Fee Table. Running Start students can generally expect to pay the following: 

1A. Course fees

These will depend on the classes each student takes, and some quarters there may not be any course fees at all. These are typically part of science lab classes (lab fees) and art classes (studio fees), but always stated on the class schedule in the “information” section. 

1B. Quarterly fees

The College imposes a certain number of fees on all students each quarter, and they vary based on how many credits a student takes. A student taking 15 credits with no additional course fees can expect to pay $160 per quarter. 

• Instructional Technology Fee of $5 per credit, after four credits
• Universal Technology Fee of $3 per credit, maximum $54
• Mitchell Activity Center fee of $60, if taking more than 5 credits on campus

1C. Course materials 

Students are responsible for purchasing the necessary materials for each class. We are unable to provide art kits, school supplies, textbooks, or course subscriptions. 

1D. Transportation 

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Seattle Central campus. We are conveniently located along multiple bus lines and less than one block from the Capitol Hill Light Rail station, and we encourage all students to use transit when it is possible. 

• Students younger than 19 are eligible for free Youth Orca Cards, which enable them to use all public transit without charge.
• Students 19 and older are eligible for subsidized Orca Cards through Seattle Central

For those who prefer to drive, parking passes are available at the Harvard Garage for $175 per quarter on a first come, first served basis. There are multiple private lots nearby which charge a daily or hourly rate, as well as metered street parking near campus. 

1E. One Time Fees

• Seattle Central Student ID - $10
• Official transcript - $7.95 + tax per order

2. How to Pay Fees

Course fees and quarterly fees can be paid online in your ctcLink account or in-person at the Cashier’s office. If you do not pay the fees on your account, a hold will automatically block you from registering for classes in the following quarter until you have paid the fees and contacted the cashier. 

Cashier’s Office – 1701 Broadway, BE1104

Cashier.Central@seattlecolleges.edu  

Hours: 
Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

3. Fee Waivers

Fee waivers are available for eligible students. Fee waivers will cover course fees, quarterly fees, and offer students a book voucher of up to $150 per quarter to use for required textbooks in Seattle Central’s bookstore. Students must submit documentation to demonstrate eligibility. This documentation may be submitted through the Formstack at the bottom of this page, or via email with the paper form (available in the Running Start Forms tab) by the first day of the quarter. 
Subheading: Fee Waiver Eligibility requirements and Acceptable Documentation