Running Start Admissions

Running Start Orientation (RSO) is required for all new Running Start students before you register for classes. Parents and caregivers are also welcome to attend RSO, but cannot come in place of the student. We will go through the admissions steps leading up to your first quarter registration and touch on resources to help you through the process. This is also your chance to meet the Running Start Academic Advisors and ask questions! RSVP to get a reminder for your session, but walk ins will also be welcome as space allows.

Upcoming Sessions

• Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Virtual on Zoom | RSVP
• Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Olympia Campus, Bldg. 35, Rm. 151 | RSVP
• Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Lacey Campus, Bldg. 1, Rm. 194 | RSVP
• Monday, May 4, 2026 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Virtual on Zoom | RSVP
• Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Olympia Campus, Bldg. 35, Rm. 151 | RSVP
• Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Olympia Campus, Bldg. 35, Rm. 151 | RSVP
• Monday, June 8, 2026 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Virtual on Zoom | RSVP

First time on campus? Please see the SPSCC Campus map for more detailed information.

The RSO Canvas classroom is a complementary component to the required RSO session. It is a continual resource Running Start students and caregivers can use to refresh on information presented in RSO and find additional supports, forms and information that will be of use through your first quarter at SPSCC. You can access Canvas after you have activated your student accounts in Step 3. 

Running Start Canvas Classroom

Submit a free admissions application online. Make sure you select the Running Start student type! Once submitted, it can take up to 10 business days to process your application.

Important privacy note: The application should be completed by the student, not a parent. Learn about Parent Access to Student Records on our Dual Credit Programs Parent Access & Grades page.

Students should use a personal or family email address. Please do not use your high school email address. The K12 firewalls generally block incoming emails and you may not receive admissions confirmation from SPSCC.

If it's been more than 10 days since you applied and you have not received your ctcLink ID, please email enroll@spscc.edu from the email address you put in your admissions application with your full name and DOB to request your enrollment letter.

Apply for Admission

When your application has been processed, you'll receive an acceptance email with your ctcLink ID. Use your ctcLink ID to activate your two student accounts.

Make sure you think about your passphrase BEFORE you activate your accounts following the rules below! We highly recommend you save your passphrase in a safe place for reference.

• A passphrase is an extended password with a 15-character minimum.
• Your passphrase will need to include a combination of upper case, lower case, numbers and special characters.
• You cannot use your first or last name or email address in your passphrase.
• You can use the same passphrase for BOTH of your accounts (CTC Link and Clipper ID).

Activate Your Student Accounts

To be eligible for Running Start, you must place into (or have completed) English 101. For most rising juniors (current sophomores) this means you will need to complete the SPSCC English Guided Self Placement (GSP). The English GSP is done online, it's free, and can be completed any time after you activate your Clipper ID (SPSCC student email account). Results will be available as soon as you finish and will post to your account the next business day. Please see the Assessment Center page for more information about the English GSP.

If you are a junior or senior, you may have other documentation we can use for placement. See the Running Start Placement Guide (below) and submit your documents (unofficial OK) to the Placement Request Form for evaluation.

Math Placement

Math placement is not required to participate as a Running Start student, but is required if you are going to complete a degree at SPSCC or want to take a course with a math prerequisite.

If you have not completed Algebra II or Integrated III (or will be enrolled in that course your first year as a Running Start student) it is recommended that you keep that class at your high school and wait until that is completed before attempting math placement at SPSCC.

Please see the Running Start Placement Guide for more information about possible math options and submit your documents to the Placement Request Form for evaluation.

Want to know more about what documents you can use or exams you can take?

Contact the SPSCC Assessment Center or to stop by the Welcome Center on the Olympia campus.

Public school students: Please meet with your high school counselor to discuss your graduation requirements and get your Running Start Verification form (RSEVF) signed. Your Counselor will help you decide how many classes to keep at the high school (if any) which will determine how many credits you can take tuition paid at SPSCC. This is a critical meeting to make sure you understand what you have left for high school graduation so you can ensure you are signing up for the right courses at the college that will meet these requirements. Using the High School Course Equivalency List (see link at the bottom of these steps) for your school or district can be a great tool to help you plan out what to take!

Generally, students can take up to 15 credits at the college and up to 2 classes at the high school each quarter tuition paid. How many credits a student can take at the college is determined by the number of classes they are enrolled in at the high school.

Private & home school students: If you are not enrolled in any public high school courses or the Skills Center, then you can take up to 18 credits at the college unrestricted (most students do not take more than 15 credits).

Most districts will have you get your form signed at the local high school. You may need an appointment for this service, please reach out in advance to your local high school once you have completed your English placement to get this appointment set.

Getting Forms Signed During School Breaks: During several times of year, high schools are on break (normally winter break in December, spring break in April and summer break July & August). It is important to plan ahead and get your RSEVF signed BEFORE your Counselor is gone on break. However, if circumstances prohibit you from getting your signature before school closes, please connect with your local district office to see if there is someone that can verify your high school enrollment and sign the form. If this is not possible, we will allow temporary registration for classes, however students must get their signed RSEVF in no later than the RSEVF deadline or you will be dropped from classes.

It is preferred that students submit their Running Start Enrollment Verification form (RSEVF) before they register for classes. This ensures that your owing fees and/or tuition calculate correctly. If you register for classes before submitting your RSEVF, you will show owing full tuition. Submit your RSEVF by the priority submission date listed in the Important Dates table on this webpage to be ready before registration opens. Students can continue to submit their RSEVF and register for classes until the posted RSEVF deadline in the Important Dates table below.

The last date to apply to SPSCC and submit your RSEVF is two weeks before the quarter begins. RSEVFs will not be accepted after the RSEVF submission deadline.

You must turn in the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form every quarter in order to register for classes. Your high school counselor or district representative needs to sign the RS Verification Form before you submit it to SPSCC. If the form is not complete, it will not be processed.

How to Submit the RS Verification Form:

• Email: Send your attachment to dualcredit@spscc.edu
  • Must be a PDF, JPEG or GIF attachment (please do not link to a cloud account!)
  • Take a clear picture of your physical form or attach a digitally filled out form
• In person: Bring your form (keep a copy for yourself!) to the Start Here counter
  • Located on the Olympia Campus in building 22, second floor
  • Open Monday-Thursday 8am to 5pm, Friday 10am to 5pm (closed holidays and for staff trainings)

Make sure you retain a copy of your completed form for your records.

Students are able to register online via CTC Link once new student registration begins. If you know what classes you need to take and are comfortable with using CTC Link (you can always review in our Running Start Canvas Classroom!) you can go online and register yourself during active registration.

If you would like in person assistance signing up for classes, you should attend a Running Start Class Registration session (RSCR). This session is in a computer lab and Running Start Advising staff will review how to use CTC Link to register for courses. A parent, guardian, or supporter is welcome to attend RSCR with their student, but due to space limitations will be in the lobby and not in the lab with the student. A student is able to go to the lobby to get their support person if they have specific questions they need their support to help answer during the session.

One on one appointments with Advisors are not available for class registration.

You can view the SPSCC Class Schedule before registration to start planning out your classes.

RSVP for Running Start Class Registration Orientation (RSCR)

Students need to RSVP for the session they wish to attend. Walk ins will only be accommodated if there is room as each student must have access to a computer.

Fees and the costs of books and supplies are not covered through the Running Start program. Fees must be paid by the tuition due date each quarter.

Pay Fees

Students with a qualifying financial need can participate in the Fee Waiver & Book Borrow Program.

Fee Waiver & Book Borrow Information

Pay Tuition Beyond Program Limits

Your Running Start Verification Form tells us how many college credits of tuition can be covered by Running Start. There are three instances where a Running Start student will be responsible for paying tuition beyond the program limits:

1. A student enrolls in a course under the 100 level or enrolls in an AMATH or CMATH course.
2. A student enrolls in credit over the maximum allowed on their verification form.
3. If at any time during the quarter a student increases their enrolled classes at the high school beyond what was on the original Verification Form for that quarter.