Running Start FAQs

Below are the frequently asked questions about the Running Start program. If you have any additional questions, please email us at runningstart@everettcc.edu.

Questions about program eligibility

Who can participate in Running Start?

Running Start is only for high school juniors and seniors, regardless of their citizenship status. Students must be enrolled in a Washington state public high school or school district.

Can homeschool or private school students participate in Running Start?

Homeschool or private school students must enroll in a public school district in order to be eligible for the Running Start program. Each school district has its own enrollment process, but the majority of homeschool or private school students do not need to attend classes at the high school. A Running Start Enrollment Verification Form will need to be signed by the public high school they are enrolled with in order to register for college classes.

Can 5th-year seniors participate in Running Start?

Fifth-year high school seniors may participate in Running Start if they were part of the program the year before, but can only take courses required for their high school graduation. Running Start seniors cannot take more than 45 college credits tuition-free. If a Running Start senior returns as a 5th-year senior, then we have to count their attempted credits towards the 63 college credit limitation.

I participated in College in the High School or CTE Dual Credit (formerly known as TechPrep). Do I still need to apply to Running Start?

You do not need to reapply if you already have an EvCC student account and ctcLink student ID (SID) number. You need to submit the EvCC Dual Credit Update Form to update your student account..

Do I have to provide a Social Security Number (SSN) on my Running Start application?

No. Providing your SSN is optional. The Running Start program is for all high school juniors and seniors in Washington State public high schools regardless of their citizenship status. Undocumented students can participate in Running Start and other dual credit programs in Washington state.

For Everett Community College to be in compliance with the Internal Revenue Service Treasury Regulations of the Internal Revenue Code, the college is required to ask for your SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in order to furnish you and the IRS with an annual statement of tuition and fees that may qualify for Hope Scholarship or Lifetime Learning tax credit. If you do not input your SSN or ITIN, the Running Start office will notify you via email for the next steps.

Questions about placement

What type of placement is required for the Running Start program?

Placement in both English and Math is required for the Running Start program. However, they do not have to be college-level (100 and above).

How do I establish placement?

Placement can be established with the following documents. The documents must be submitted through the EvCC Placement Form.

  • Unofficial high school or homeschool transcript (WA state transcripts only)
    • 2.5 cumulative GPA or better can be used for placement into ENGL& 101
    • Math placement can be determined with a full year (2 semesters) of high school Math.
  • Placement scores from another community college
  • College transcript of completed courses
  • Rapid English Directed Self Placement Form (for English placement only). This process asks you to do some self-reflection about your academic preparation, skills-confidence, and preferences to help you choose your own English Placement.
  • High school test scores for English and Math: PSAT/SAT, AP, IB, ACT or SmarterBalanced 

 Please refer to the documents below to see what placement you would get based on your test scores and your Math classes/grades.

Should I take the EvCC Accuplacer placement test?

The Accuplacer placement test is an option for Math placement only. Before taking the test, you must submit your unofficial transcript and/or other placement documents through the EvCC Placement Form. The Accuplacer test is an option in one of the following scenarios:

  • Your Math placement is below college level (ex. MATH 086) and you want to achieve higher placement. Or,
  • Your Math placement could not be established using your high school transcript or test scores. Or,
  • Your high school transcript or high school Math test scores are missing. 

Visit www.everettcc.edu/testing for more information regarding the Accuplacer exam and hours of operation.

Questions about quarters, classes & credits

Which quarters can I participate in Running Start?

Running Start covers tuition for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. Students may be eligible to to take up to a maximum of 10 college credits during Summer quarter. Summer Running Start eligibility depends on the available average annual full-time equivalent (AAFTE) and is determined by high school counselors. See the Summer Running Start page for more detailed information.

How many credits can I take in Running Start?

The Running Start program covers up to a maximum of 21 college credits per quarter. Your status as a full-time or part-time Running Start student is based on how many minutes you spend at your high school. In order to determine quarterly credit eligibility, you must complete the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF) with your high school counselor. See the Summer Running Start page for Summer quarter eligibility.

What is the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF)?

Each academic quarter, students are required to submit a Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF) in order to register for college courses. This form communicates the student's high school information with the college and will determine their credit eligibility for tuition-free credits.

The RSEVF must be completed and signed by a high school counselor, student, and parent/legal guardian. The form can be submitted via email to runningstart@everettcc.edu or in-person at Parks Student Union 201 or the ORCA campus. If a student doesn't have access to a scanner, they must make sure to take a clear picture from above the document so that the form is a clear image. The form must be submitted at least 7 business days before class registration. 
NOTE 1: Students must submit their RSEVF for the Fall quarter in order to register for Summer and Fall classes.
NOTE 2: For Summer quarter, there is a separate RSEVF. See the Summer Running Start page for Summer quarter process.

What is a college-level class?

Classes that are 100 level and above are college-level classes. Running Start covers tuition for college-level classes only. If you wish to take non-college level classes (below 100 level), you will need to reach out to your high school to determine how they accept the credit.

How does college credit translate to high school?

A 5 credit class (about 10 weeks in a quarter) at EvCC is the equivalent of 1 credit class (about 9 months) at the high school.

What classes can I register for in college?

The program will only fund college-level courses (classes above 100 level). These include in-person, online, and hybrid (online and in-person at EvCC Main Campus, Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Education Center (AMTEC - Everett), and Cosmetology (Marysville). 

Do I have to take the College Success class?

No, Running Start students are exempt from the College Success course requirement. Some high schools will accept the class as a core high school graduation requirement or an elective. Please double-check with your high school counselor if this class is required for your high school graduation.

How do I obtain my EvCC transcript?

You can obtain your official or unofficial transcript from EvCC. While there is a fee for the official transcripts, you can access your unofficial transcript online free of charge. Please refer to the Requesting Transcripts from EvCC page for more information.

Questions about costs & expenses

Is Running Start free?

No. Running Start is a tuition-free program. It covers tuition for college-level classes (100 level and above) based on the student’s credit eligibility for each quarter. Full-time students are covered up to a maximum of 21 college credits for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. See the Summer Running Start page for Summer quarter information. Students are responsible for the class and student fees as well as any other program costs.

What are the costs of the program?

Running Start does not pay for the following and students are responsible for covering the costs for:

Is there any financial assistance?

Running Start Fee Waiver is available for students who qualify for at least one of the criteria below:

  • Eligible for free-reduced-price lunches (FRPL) in the past 5 years
  • Family income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level
  • Receiving any state or federal assistance funds
  • Current foster youth or McKinney Vento status.

    Visit our Running Start Student Resources and Forms page for more information.

NOTE: Running Start students are not eligible for state or federal aid, so they cannot submit a FAFSA or WASFA for Running Start costs.

What does the Running Start Fee Waiver cover?

Running Start Fee Waiver covers the student and class fees for:

  • Elearning support fee
  • Computer lab fee
  • Lab fee
  • Green fee
  • Studio fee
  • Self-support class fee
  • Technology fee
  • Student campus enhancement

Running Start Fee Waiver does not cover the fees and charges for:

  • Accuplacer placement test fee
  • Certification fee
  • Field trip/supply fee
  • Laptop/netbook rental fee
  • Graphing calculator rental fee
  • Wi-Fi hotspot rental fee
  • Material fee
  • Parking pass
  • Private class fee
  • Official transcript fee
  • Malpractice insurance fee
  • Cosmetology Kit
  • Textbooks and other class supplies
  • Tuition for classes that are below 100 level

Waiving any tuition for additional credits requires approval by the Running Start office. This decision is made on a case by case basis.

Questions about student services & resources

Do Running Start students have access to academic support and student services?

Yes, Running Start students have access to student support services including:

  • Advising Center - Support with entry advising for the first quarter for admitted students. In-person and virtual services are available.
  • Cascade Learning Resource Center (CLRC) - The new building across the street from main campus is the home of the EvCC Library, Tutoring Center, Writing Center, Russell Day Gallery, computer labs, study rooms, and other nooks and crannies for studying!
  • Center for Disability Services (CDS) - Support with accommodations and connections.
  • Counseling and Student Success (CSS) - Access to an EvCC Counselor for educational, career, short-term personal, or urgent counseling. It’s a great opportunity to speak with a counselor on how to adjust to, cope with, and succeed in college.
  • Diversity and Equity Cente (D&E) - Academic support, retention programs, and other services designed to help students with student life. Programs and services focus on supporting students of color, women, and LGBTQ+ students.
  • EvCC Food Pantry - Student-led and organized free service available to EvCC students and employees experiencing food insecurity.
  • EvCC Connect - Support for foster and unaccompanied homeless youth.
  • Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program - MESA provides resources and extra support (e.g. tutoring, academic advising, transfer planning) to students who want to transfer to 4-year colleges or universities to pursue a STEM degree. Students must be eligible for the program in order to participate. MESA provides resources and extra support (e.g. tutoring, academic advising, transfer planning) to students who want to transfer to 4-year colleges or universities to pursue a STEM degree. Students must be eligible for the program in order to participate.
  • Open Computer Lab - The Olympus Hall open computer lab located in room 127, is available to all currently enrolled students. Access to the lab will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Pride Center - Support and resources for students identifying with the LGBTQ+ community in partnership with Student Life, the Diversity and Equity Center, Triangle Alliance, and Safe Zone.
  • Student LIFE - Job opportunities, student government, leadership, and student activities, on campus.
  • Tech HUB - The TechHUB window is a place for students and staff to come get one-on-one technology help, diagnosis, and hopefully a fast resolution. Help with your “EvCC or ctcLink account?  Have questions about Google Workspace or Microsoft Office 365? Visit the Tech HUB on the second floor of Shuksan (SHUK) Hall.
  • Tech Lounge - The most comfortable computer space on campus! It is user-friendly with comfortable seating and surfaces that invite one to use the charging ports for different devices for individual use. Along with some desktop stations, students have access to a Jam board and 2 collaborative stations for working with other students on group projects. Visit the Tech Lounge in Shuksan Hall (SHUK) 231.
  • Tutoring Center - Online academic and tutorial support in many subjects. Live tutoring is also offered. We encourage students that want to review course materials, learn how to manage course content, improve study skills and time management, and how to become independent learners to access tutoring services. 
  • Writing Center - Writing support that ranges from paper feedback to live writing assistance. Students that need help with any writing project in any subject, personal writing application essays, resumes, and cover letters should seek out the Writing Center.

I have a documented disability and receive services at my high school. Am I eligible for disability services at EvCC?

Yes. Running Start students with documented disabilities can request services through the Center for Disability Services (CDS). Students should submit documentation of their disability to the CDS office and schedule an intake appointment as soon as possible. Please visit www.everettcc.edu/CDS for more information.

Does the Running Start office provide updates to parents/legal guardians about students’ academic progress or information?

No. Once a high school student enters the Running Start program, they have the same rights and responsibilities as any other college student. Students are responsible for communicating any student information to their parents/legal guardians.

All student educational records are handled in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). The provisions of this act ensure the confidentiality of student records by restricting the release of personally identifiable information these records contain.