Apply to Running Start

Steps to Enroll for Running Start

Step 1

Attend an Information Session.

See upcoming information session dates below. Before your first day of class at SPSCC, you need to attend an on-campus information session. (Recommended as first step, but does not have to be done before the rest of the steps below.)

Step 2

Apply to SPSCC.

Apply Online to get your Student ID (SID) number. You will receive an email with your SID number after your application is processed, within 3-5 business days.

Step 3

Set up email & portal.

Outlook iconSet up your SPSCC email account, the email we use to communicate with you and your login to the college network.
Need help? Call 360-596-5544.

Step 4

Qualify for Running Start.

 To be eligible for Running Start, you must place into, or have completed, English 101. Note for Fall 2020 Start: If you do not have any other high school documentation to submit for placement you can take the ACCUPLACER test online. Please see the Assessment Center page for online testing info and to register for the test. See the Running Start Placement Guide for more information on other forms of acceptable documentation..

Interested in learning more about placement and what documents you can use or exams you can take? Join one of our virtual Placement Sessions! Students and parent/guardians are encouraged to attend.

Step 5

Determine high school graduation requirements.

Meet with your high school counselor or school district representative to discuss specific graduation requirements. They will help you decide how many classes to complete at the high school and how many credits to complete at SPSCC. Check out available classes in the Class Schedule. There is a 15-credit limit to the number of courses you can be enrolled in between high school and SPSCC with full tuition coverage. If you want to take more than 15 credits, you will pay full tuition for the additional credits. See the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form for the funding table and use it to meet with your high school counselor.

Step 6

Get registered.

As a new SPSCC student, you also need to attend New Student Advising & Registration (NSAR)—a required group advising orientation—to register for classes. Sessions are offered on the Olympia and Lacey campuses.Bring photo ID (drivers license, drivers permit, high school ASB card, military ID or state ID) and a list of high school graduation requirements. Only the student is required to attend the session. (Special Note: For summer/fall 2020 registration NSAR sessions will only be offered online due to continued social distancing recommendations)

Students will register as a full tuition-paying student during NSAR, but payment is not expected at registration. In order to get tuition and fees adjusted, students must submit the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF).

Step 7

Submit RS Verification Form & pay fees or apply for waiver.
Each quarter, you must submit the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF) in order to get your tuition waived or reduced. Your High School counselor or district rep and your parent/guardian will need to sign the RSEVF before you turn it into SPSCC. All sections must be complete or the form will NOT be processed. The RSEVF can be turned in at NSAR if you have all your signatures.  However in most cases, your high school counselor will want to review your course selection with you after NSAR and will sign off at that time.  Once signed, the form can be turned in one of three ways:
  • In person at the One Stop or Advising Center on the Olympia campus in Building 22
  • In person at the One Stop or Advising Center on the Lacey campus in Building 1
  • Emailed to advising@spscc.edu
Fees and the costs of books and supplies are not covered through the Running Start program.  Fees are due by the tuition due date each quarter. Students with a qualifying financial need may submit for the Fee Waiver & Book Loan Program. Tuition for credits within the funding limits will be paid for you through the Running Start program. If you take classes under the 100 level or over the credit distribution maximums, you must pay tuition for those credits. If at any time during the quarter you change your credit distributions you may owe additional tuition to the college.

2020 Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF)

Private or home school & degree completion

Private school, home school, and degree completion students:
If you are NOT seeking a public high school diploma then you are allowed to enroll in a maximum 15 credits each quarter with tuition paid for through the Running Start program. If at any time you decide to seek a public high school diploma, you will be restricted to the funding limits based on high school enrollment. If you enroll in more than 15 credits, you will pay full tuition on the additional credits. You must turn in a signed Running Start Verification Form each quarter for funding purposes.

  • Home School and Private School students: In order to have your college tuition paid through Running Start funds, you first need to enroll in your local public high school. Since districts can have different enrollment processes, it’s best to inquire at the district office about how to enroll for the purpose of accessing Running Start.

    Once enrolled, you can complete the process for taking college classes through the Running Start program. Also, while your private school staff can advise you about which college courses meet graduation requirements, the public school counselor or other designated staff must sign off on your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form each term.
  • Degree completion students: You will still get your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form signed quarterly by your public high school counselor. Degree completion means focusing on the college degree requirements; the college will issue both the associate degree and high school diploma upon approval of graduation application. You should set up an appointment every quarter prior to registration to meet with an Educational Planner at the college to track your degree progress.

Important Dates

Starting Quarter: Spring 2020 Fall 2020 Winter 2021
Recommended to Apply By: Jan 2020 Apr 2020 Oct 2020
Class Schedule Online: Jan 2020 Apr 2020 Oct 2020
Take Placement Test: Jan-Feb 2020

Mar-Apr 2020

 Oct-Nov 2020
Registration Opens: Mar 2, 2020 May 26, 2020 TBD
RS Verification Form Due:

Please submit as able
due to high school closures

 Sep 1, 2020 Dec 15, 2020
Fees Due By:

Mar 24, 2020 *Date moved
due to COVID-19*

 Sep 1, 2020 Dec 15, 2020
Classes Start: Apr 13, 2020 *Date moved
due to COVID-19*

 

 Sep 21, 2020 Jan 4, 2021

Running Start Information Sessions

 

If you have any questions, please email your assigned Educational Planner listed at the end of the presentation.

Due to social distancing requirements enacted by the Governor and SPSCC's commitment to staff and public safety, the Running Start information sessions will change to an alternative delivery method until further notice. All sessions will be offered via Zoom online conferencing. To join a session, please click on any of the Zoom meeting links below no more than a half hour before the start of the session.

To learn more about Zoom and to practice joining a meeting, check out the Zoom website: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting

We will offer in person sessions when it is safe for our staff and the public to resume large gatherings. If you have further questions or are unable to attend a Zoom meeting, please email advising@spscc.edu for assistance.