What is the Running Start Program? The Running Start program was created by the state legislature in the early 1990s
as an opportunity for eligible high school juniors and seniors to earn college-level
credit, tuition free. The school district pays the tuition charge for up to 21 credits per quarter. Books, fees, supplies, tuition for additional credits and transportation to the college are your responsibility. Classes taken
at the college as part of the Running Start Program are limited to "college level
courses" (numbered 100 or above). Students may enroll simultaneously in high school and college classes or exclusively in college
classes. This is often determined by high school graduation requirements. Your total enrollment should equal one full-time student. Students will receive both high school and college credit for classes taken at Green River.
High school graduation requirements are established by each school district. High school counselors will verify the courses and number of credits requiredfor graduation. Generally, one five (5) credit class at the college earns one (1) high school unit.
How do I know if Running Start is right for me? Running Start is a good fit for students who:
Are ready for the challenge of college-level coursework.
Are motivated to participate in the college environment and possess the maturity to
do so.
Seek academic challenges not available at their high school.
How do students qualify for Running Start? Prospective students must meet the following criteria:
Be enrolled through a public high school/district. Homeschooled and private school
students are encouraged to contact their local school district for instructions on
their enrollment procedures.
Be a junior or senior, according to grade level placement policies of the district
the student is enrolled through.
Be 16 upon admission to the program, or turn 16 during the first quarter of enrollment
in Running Start.
Can students take English assessment at another college and have it apply at Green
River? Yes, if students take an assessment at another college, Running Start will need to
review the scores (scores must be less than two years old).
Can home and private schooled students participate in Running Start? Yes. Students must enroll through the local public high school and must be considered
a junior or senior. Students do not have to attend classes in the public high school
in order to participate in Running Start. It is the responsibility of the public school
district to establish grade placement criteria for homeschoolers who want to earn
a high school diploma from a public high school. Some schools consider age appropriateness;
others review credits and prior learning. In other cases, a standardized achievement
test may be used in the absence of adequate documentation of a student's home-based
education.
How many quarters can a student enroll in Running Start? All qualified students can enroll for three quarters (Fall, Winter, and Spring) during their junior year and three quarters (Fall, Winter, and Spring) during their senior year. There are special circumstances that can allow students to:
Take up to 10 college credits the summer before their junior year.
Take up to 10 college credits the summer before their senior year.
Continue in Running Start as a second-year senior if that student had previously participated in Running Start. Please contact the Running Start Office for details.
Can Students attend Green River full-time or part-time? Yes, students have a choice of attending full-time or part-time. The average credit load for Running Start students is 12-15 credits per quarter (approximately
3 classes). The maximum number of credits for which Running Start will cover tuition
is 21 credits per quarter, providing you do not exceed the combined enrollment limit listed on your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form.