Fee Waiver
The Fee Waiver program covers the costs of fees for eligible courses. Any Running Start student who is eligible for the Fee Waiver will have it applied to their account. Once applied, the Fee Waiver stays in place for the duration of a student’s eligibility to be enrolled as a Running Start student. Students will be responsible for fees and applicable tuition if they enroll in:
- Private lesson music courses
- Study Abroad (student is responsible for travel expenses)
- AMATH or CMATH courses
- Courses under the 100 level
How do I qualify?
If the student has been approved for free/reduced price lunch status any time within the last five years, or the family meets the income criteria for the USDA WIC program, then the student is qualified for the Running Start Fee Waiver.
The easiest way to show qualification for the Fee Waiver is to have your high school Counselor verify that you qualify for free/reduced lunch through your school district. They will verify this information on your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF). All you have to do is submit your signed RSEVF; no further action is needed. The fee waiver will be applied to your account when your RSEVF is processed.
Acceptable Alternative Documentation
If your family chooses not to fill out the free/reduced lunch application for your district, or you are a home school or private school student, you'll need to submit one or a combination of documents to the Dual Credit Programs office to show qualification.
- Approval of minor SSI benefits
- Approval letter for food stamps (BFET), TANF benefits, or documentation of the last 3 months of benefits
- First page of the most recent year's tax return (form 1040/1040a), showing the list of dependents and total income within the income criteria for the USDA WIC program
If the student is not the one qualified for benefits in the household and is not listed on the approval, please submit supporting documentation to show the student is a dependent in the household where benefits are received (e.g. BFET approval for the parent and last year's tax return showing the student listed as a dependent of that parent).
Please do not email documentation containing personal identifying information. Please bring your documentation to the Olympia Campus, Building 22, Start Here Desk for processing.
When do I apply for the Fee Waiver?
The RSEVF or alternative documentation is due on the Tuition Due Date. If documentation or the RSEVF form is not turned in by the Tuition Due Date, the student must pay all owed fees/tuition on the account to remain enrolled in courses.
You can be refunded 100% of the overpayment if the verification form and documentation are received no later than the close of business hours on the 10th day of the quarter. Refunds take a minimum of two weeks to process after Fee Waiver approval. To check on the status of a refund, contact the Business Office at payment@spscc.edu.
Book Borrow
If you qualify for the Fee Waiver, you can also participate in the Book Borrow program. Book Borrow is not guaranteed. Availability depends on how many Running Start students apply and what funds have been allotted to the program for the year. While we do our best to cover 100% of the books and materials for each student, families should be prepared to cover costs if needed.
When do I apply for Book Borrow?
The Book Borrow application opens on the first day of the current student registration and closes at the end of the first week of the quarter. You can see the dates on the Running Start Admissions page. If you miss the deadline, you will need to wait until next quarter to apply.
Before You Apply
The Book Borrow application is only open to students who have:
- Activated their ctcLink account
- Registered or waitlisted for classes for the upcoming quarter
- Have turned in their RSEVF and qualify for the Fee Waiver
If you have not met these conditions, you will not be able to complete the Book Borrow application. Please complete the steps above before attempting to fill out the application.
Questions? Contact dualcredit@spscc.edu.