Frequently Asked Questions
Need more information? The answers to many common Running Start questions can be found here.
Students enrolled at a Washington State public high school with 11th or 12th grade standing who can show eligibility for college-level English or math.
New Students
New Running Start students must apply to Seattle Central College, complete placement into college-level English (ENGL&101) or college-level math, and submit a complete Running Start Enrollment Packet. Please see Steps to Enroll
Current Students
Current Running Start students at Central must turn in a new Enrollment Verification Form each quarter. Once it is signed by you, a guardian, and high school counselor, email your EVF to RSEVF.central@seattlecolleges.edu for processing.
- Running start covers up to two years of college tuition for eligible classes: up to 21 credits per quarter, depending on the number of classes taken at the high school.
- Running Start does not cover tuition for self-paced courses or courses below 100-level (e.g., Math 098, English 099).
- Running Start does not cover mandatory college fees or class fees. Some students may be eligible for a fee waiver.
Most credits will transfer to WA state schools and universities. We suggest contacting each school you plan to apply to and see what is transferrable.
If you’re eligible for free or reduced lunch at your high school, you are eligible to have your class fees waived and you can participate in our book voucher program each quarter.
Yes, Running Start students at Seattle Central College are required to place into either college-level English or math to be eligible to participate in the program.
Students are responsible for ordering and paying for official transcripts from Seattle Central College. Running Start advisors cannot provide official transcripts.
Unofficial transcripts may be retrieved from the ctcLink Student Homepage through the Academic Records tile.
Students who take classes at the college full-time in their junior and senior year can complete an associate degree by the time they finish their senior year with careful planning. We recommend meeting with your academic advisor early and often to discuss degree requirements and plan your classes. You can find your academic advisor and make an appointment on Starfish.
Yes, homeschooled and private school students can participle in Running Start. However, you must enroll at a public high school as well. You will be required to meet with your public school high school counselor quarterly to complete your Enrollment Verification Form.
Our office will accept applications after the priority deadlines through the start of the quarter. We strongly encourage students joining us in summer or fall quarter to submit their Running Start enrollment packet by the time the New Student Registration window opens in late May. For students joining us in winter or spring quarter, we encourage submitting the Running Start enrollment packet no later than a week before the quarter begins to ensure ample time to register and prepare for classes.
Rising juniors and seniors may be eligible for up to 10 credits through Running Start in summer quarter. Students must complete the summer Running Start Enrollment Verification Form and determine their credit eligibility with their high school counselor.