Running Start

• 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
    • Placement Assessment 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 write a letter of appeal requesting an exception to the GPA criteria due to extenuating circumstances and/or student characteristics.

To appeal the GPA requirement, write a letter of appeal, addressing the following questions in your letter and email to @email.

• Describe your high school experience and any extenuating circumstances that resulted in a GPA below a 2.5, and what is different?
• 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 (RSEVF) 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.

• Students who place into English Composition I (ENGL& 101) may enroll in non-mathematics college-level classes.
• Students must place into Math 107/141 or above to enroll in mathematics classes. College level math placement is not required for Running Start admission.
• Students qualifying for both English and mathematics at the college may enroll in any college-level class.
• Students interested in an Olympic College professional-technical program may contact the Running Start office for information about the required English and mathematics placement scores.
• Students with disabilities are advised to contact Student Disability Services for information about placement testing accommodations before the placement appointment is scheduled.
• 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. Please see Running Start Limited Access Course List. 

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.

Running Start Funding 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.  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 should view and submit the Running Start Fee Waiver Application either in person or through our secure server.

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 prior to 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 Fee Waiver, are also eligible to borrow some textbooks through our Running Start Textbook Loan Library.

Running Start Forms

Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF)

Complete this form quarterly with high school counselor or school official to qualify for tuition free credits each term. 

Student Parent Agreement

Submitted as part of the Running Start Application, the agreement form reviews students rights, responsibilities and acknowledgment of procedures.

Textbook Loan Application

Each quarter eligible students use this form to borrow textbooks from the Running Start Office

Fee Waiver Application

The Tuition & Fee Waiver Application is used to determine eligibility to have tuition above RS eligibility and mandatory fees waived quarterly and have access to our Textbook Loan Library to assistance with textbooks. Complete application and submit with required documents to Running Start Office either in person or through Fee Waiver Application Submission Form.

Tuition & Fee Waiver Appeal

Students who are eligible for the Running Start Fee Waiver can use this form to request assistance for tuition over their maximum allowed quarterly credits of tuition for Fall, Winter or Spring Quarters.

Withdrawal Form

Students who no longer want to participate in our program should complete our Running Start Withdrawal Form to inform our office of their intentions.

Registration & Records Forms

High School Release Form

Use this form when taking summer quarter classes or below college level classes during fall, winter or spring quarters.

Permission to Release Student Information

Complete this form if you wish to share you student information with specific individuals. (i.e. parents). You must be logged into you OC Student Office 365 Account.