What does Running Start Cost?

Running Start covers the cost of tuition up to 21 credits per quarter for college-level courses, under the following conditions:

  • Classes must be 100-level or above (e.g. ENGL&101, MATH&107)
  • Students stay within the credit limit listed on their quarterly Enrollment Verification Form (EVF)

There are some costs Running Start does not cover. Students are responsible for the following expenses:

  • Textbooks and supplies: Estimated $100-$300 per quarter (varies by class). The cost of print textbooks may be waived through the Fee Waiver and Book Loan program
  • Quarterly student-voted fees: Cost varies by credit amount ($194.50 for fulltime/15 credits). This includes facilities, tech, student center, and special services fee. Waived for students in the Fee Waiver and Book Loan Program
  • Class fees: Estimated $50-100 per quarter (varies by class). All students are responsible for class fees
  • Tuition, only in certain cases:
    • Enrolled in credits above limit approved on EVF
    • Below 100-level courses (e.g. ENGL99, MATH30)
    • Courses not covered: BASIC, ESOL, HSC, or TS, or READ 104

See Tuition & Fees for more details

How to Make a Payment

All students are responsible for paying their fees by the quarterly payment deadlines listed on the Running Start page. Students can pay for fees in one of the following ways:

  • Online through ctcLink (Financial Account tile)
  • In-person at the Cashier's Office, Student Affairs & Success Center (SA-266)
  • By phone at 253-288-3399

Students may also choose to enroll in a payment plan, which has a $25 non-refundable enrollment fee and splits tuition and fees into three manageable payments, each with their own due date.

Fee Waiver and Book Loan Program

The Fee Waiver and Book Loan (FWBL) program assists eligible Running Start students by waiving some of the costs of attending, as listed below. Apply by submitting the Fee Waiver and Book Loan Program Application along with a document showing eligibility to Running Start via our Secure Document Upload Tool (select Running Start for the department).

Benefits of the FWBL program: Quarterly student-voted fees are waived (facilities fee, special services/matriculation fee, student center fee, technology fee). Students may borrow physical textbooks for free if available in the bookstore.

Costs not waived by FWBL: Individual class fees, eLearning fees, inclusive access materials, online access codes or e-books are not covered, and are the students' responsibility to pay for. These costs vary depending on the cost of materials required for each course.

FWBL Eligibility Criteria:

Running Start students may apply for the Fee Waiver and Book Loan Program if they meet any one or more of these criteria:

  • You are eligible for the Free or Reduced Lunch (FRL) program in the district you are enrolled through. If meals are provided to all students, you must apply for benefits and provide your eligibility letter. Required document: a copy of the letter from your district or have your high school counselor select 'yes' to verify your free and reduced lunch status on your EVF.
  • You are currently receiving public assistance from a state or federal program. Required document: medical ID card w/medical coupon, TANF benefits, WIC Coupon, DSHS approval letter, Basic Food Statement, or HUD Housing award letter.
  • You are a foster youth or have McKinney-Vento Status. Required document: a signed statement from your caseworker or high school counselor on letterhead, or McKinney-Vento documentation.
  • You are a College Bound Scholarship student. Required document: College Bound Certificate
  • Your family income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level published in the Federal Register, as noted in the table below. Visit aspe.hhs.gov/poverty for more information. Required document: a copy of your family's most recent tax filing (e.g. the first page of your most recent IRS 1040). Student's name must be listed on the tax return.

2025 Poverty Guidelines, 200% Threshold

Household Size Gross Income
1  Less than $31,300
2  Less than $42,300
3  Less than $53,300
4  Less than $64,300

For each additional member of the 

household add:

 Add $11,000

Important FWBL Information

  • Book loan depends on availability; eligibility does not guarantee all books will be provided. An email will be sent to your GRC email address each quarter with instructions on how to request books and important deadlines - check your student email account regularly.
  • The book loan only assists with physical textbooks. We do not cover online textbooks/e-books, access codes, or other supplies.
  • Fee waiver applies to Student-Voted Fees only. Individual class fees remain your responsibility.
  • Below college-level courses are not covered by the Running Start Program.
  • Submitting this form is not retroactive to previous quarters (you will not receive a refund for previous quarters).
  • The deadline for submitting this form is the Friday before the first day of the quarter. If submitted after the 10th day of the quarter, your FWBL status will take effect the following quarter.

Please visit the Running Start Office in SA-135 for questions about the Fee Waiver and Book Loan Program or inquire by email runningstart@greenriver.edu

 

Scholarships

Running Start students at GRC are eligible to apply for scholarships through the GRC Foundation to help cover the costs of fees, books, and supplies. Scholarship applications are open January 30 to April 30 and August 15 to October 15. Learn more and apply here: GRC Foundation | Scholarships Apply Now

Students may also apply to scholarships outside of the GRC Foundation as well.

Costs of Attending Green River College

For more information about the costs of attending Green River College, visit our Cost of Attending page.