Running Start Student Resources

current students imageIt is essential that each Running Start Student be familiar with the information provided on this page.  Below is information that are designed to assist you with academic success. It is the hope of the High School Relations Office that you find this information helpful and that you will not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.

Costs of the Program

Running Start is not free.  Running Start will pay for some or all of the tuition while attending Everett Community College.  The amount of tuition covered by Running Start is directly relative to the student's high school schedule.  Below is a list of some typical costs associated with Running Start:

Fee Waiver

Students who qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch at their sponsoring high school and/or students who have been in Foster Care, qualify for a Fee Waiver. Fee Waivers must be submitted on an annual basis. The Fee Waiver must be submitted in accordance with the college's payment policy. If documentation is not available at the beginning of the quarter, the student may provide documentation that they received Free or Reduced Lunch in the prior year. This will hold eligibility until current documentation can be acquired. Documentation is typically the letter a family receives from the district granting Free or Reduced Lunch at the sponsoring high school. The Fee Waiver will be expanded to include Tuition on credits above a student's eligibility. Please note that the Fee Waiver will not cover tuition or fees on classes below the 100 level.

Tuition Eligibility

Students are eligibile for a maximum of 15 credits each quarter.  There is now a formula used by the college and the high school to determine a student's eligibility for Tuition-free credits.  A student can have eligibility anywhere from three (3) credits Tuition-free to 15 credits Tuition-free. Each high school formula is slightly different.  In order to determine quarterly eligibility, the student should complete the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form.

If you wish to exceed your credit eligibility for a quarter, you may do so as long as you pay the difference.

Eligible Classes

Running Start will fund classes taken for credit, and are above 100 level.  This includes online, hybrid, Monroe and any other Everett Community College class.  Running Start will pay for a Self Support class as long as the student is not exceeding their eligibility.

 

Enrollment Verification Form

Each quarter students are required to submit a Running Start Enrollment Verification Form.  This form communicates the student's high school information with the college and will help us determine their quarterly eligibility for Tuition-free credits.  Enrollment Verification Forms can be obtained from the high school counselors directly or picked up from the High School Relations Office.  Please submit the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form to the High School Relations Office at least two business days before the student's Registration Appointment.

Changes at your High School

If a student has submitted their quarterly Running Start Enrollment Verification Form and there is a change to their high school schedule, that student must submit a new Running Start Enrollment Verification Form that indicates their new eligibility.  This notification to the High School Relations Office is required within three (3) business days or by the last business day of the month - whichever comes first.

Student Kiosk

The student kiosk will save students time and energy.  Running Start students should attempt to use the Kiosk for anything they can unless a timeline has passed that prevents them from doing so.  Listed below are the things Running Start students should be using the Student Kiosk for:

  • Registration
  • Adding or dropping a class
  • Payment- unless on the 20/40 Plan
  • Updating personal information (address, phone number, email)
  • Checking Registration Access Date
  • Degree Audit
  • Viewing Student Schedule
  • Checking a Waitlist
  • Getting their Student Identification Number (SID)
  • Viewing their Unofficial Transcripts

Advising

Entry Advising is available at the Counseling, Advising and Career Center.  Advisors will help students select their first quarter classes.  You do not need an appointment to meet with an Advisor.  You can click here for a Worksheet that should be completed before visiting the Counseling, Advising and Career Center. 

Before registering for their third quarter, all students (including Running Start students) will be assigned a Faculty Advisor. For help your first quarter of Running Start, the Counseling, Advising, & Career Center can assist. The High School Relations Office does not assist students with advising or selecting courses. For questions about high school equivalency college courses, the students should talk with their High School Counselor.  This can be a challenge since in Running Start students are really two students in one- a high school student and a college student. Faculty Advisors assist with college course selection; High School Counselors assist with high school graduation requirements. It is up to the student, ultimately, to make their own decision.

SAT or ACT

Running Start students who are planning to transfer to a college or university for fall term following their high school graduation are required to meet the Freshmen admissions requirements at most colleges and universities.  This means that most Running Start students will need to take the SAT or ACT.

Academic Requirements

Students in Running Start must maintain a 2.0 GPA.  If the GPA falls below 2.0, the student will be on Academic Probation.

  • After two (2) quarters below a 2.0 GPA, a student is required to meet with a counselor to select classes.
  • If a student has three quarters below a 2.0 GPA, the student will lose eligibility for Running Start and the program funding.

Communication from the College

Communication from the High School Relations Office is primarily done via email.  The email that a student submitted on the Running Start application is the email the High School Relations Office will use to communicate information to students.  Students are responsible for any information that is emailed to them and for maintaining an up-to-date email address.  If the student's email changes, it can be updated through the Student Kiosk.  Instructors, Student Activities, the Registrar and various other departments on campus use the college issued student email to communicate.  Students are also responsible for information in that email.

The High School Relations Office will also communicate deadlines and activities via Facebook as well.  'Like us' and updates will come directly to your Facebook News Feed.

Guides for Parents

We have not forgotten about parents!  While Running Start is a program for students, we recognize the important role that parents and guardians play in the students' lives. Parents- the college is bound by FERPA.  It protects the student's record.  This unfortunately for you means the college record is for the students and even though many students are under 18, the college still has the obligation to communicate with the student.  To stay up to date on what's happening with Running Start, you can 'Like us' on Facebook.

Students- each quarter the college sends grades to the high schools.  Parents have access to your grades at the high school- be mindful of that! Parents click here!