Running Start
Running Start allows high school juniors and seniors to attend any of Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges.
Students can participate in Running Start part-time or full-time. The public school district pays student tuition. The number of tuition-free credits depends on the number of classes taken at the high school. Students are responsible for mandatory fees, books, parking and any transportation costs.
Information Session
Self-paced Canvas
The information session is also available in an online course:
Live Zoom Session
There are currently no Zoom Info Sessions scheduled at this time.
Application Deadlines
Quarter
Application Deadline
Fall
September 1st, 2023
Application Process
1. Apply for General Admission
Apply for General Admission to Cascadia:
After Applying Students will Receive:
- Email with ID number
- Welcome email from kmcbride@cascadia.edu
- Under 18 email from kmcbride@cascadia.edu letting student know they have to complete Running Start admission process
2. Submit Running Start Application Materials
Students must submit all application materials by the application deadline. Email all materials as an email attachment to runningstart@cascadia.edu . Be sure to include student name and the last 4 digits of the student id number in the subject line of the email. It is helpful to include the student name and last 4 digits of the id number in the file name of the attachment.
- English Placement
- Math Placement (optional, but recommended)
- Running Start Contract
- Release of Information (Optional)
3. Receive Welcome email and Sign up for CORE (Cascadia Orientation and Registration Experience)
Students receive a welcome email from runningstart@cascadia.edu In that email is a link to sign up for CORE. Students cannot attend CORE before receiving the welcome email.
4. Meet with the high school counselor to get a signed Enrollment Verification Form (EVF)
Submit the Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) as an email attachment to runningstart@cascadia.edu . Be sure to include the student name and the last 4 digits of the student id number in the subject line of the email. It is helpful to include the student name and the last 4 digits of the id number in the file name of the attachment. Note: Some schools prefer students meet with counselors for the EVF after the quarterly course registration schedule is released to the Cascadia website. This schedule is released approximately 2 weeks before the first CORE session.
5. Student Fees
Pay student fees and any tuition owed by the quarterly tuition deadline. Unpaid fees may result in removal from classes.
To pay online at your ctcLink account, launch ctcLink in the Firefox browser or on your mobile device.
Running Start Application Materials
Please allow 5 business days to process your application materials.
1. English Placement
Students are eligible to participate in Running Start with an English 95 or English 101 placement.
Placement into English 101:
Placement is based on one of the following methods:
- Accuplacer
- Smarter Balanced score of 3 or 4 on the 10th grade English Language Assessment
- SAT score of 480 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
- ACT score of 19 on both Reading and Writing
- Second semester grade of B or higher in Junior year English course. to use high school grades, please submit an unofficial high school transcript to runningstart@cascadia.edu
- Please attach copies of unofficial scores from Accuplacer, ACT, SAT or second semester Junior year high school transcript.
Placement into English 95:
Accuplacer + Graded Essay
Students placing below English 101 on Accuplacer write an essay. Graded by Cascadia faculty, the essay determines English 95 or English 101 placement.
English 95 is a pre-college level course. For any pre-college level Math or English course, Running Start students are responsible for full tuition and fees. English 95 will not meet any high school requirements or apply towards a Cascadia degree.
To be eligible for Running Start, students must use one of the following methods to place into English 101:
- Accuplacer
- Smarter Balanced score of 3 or 4 on the English Language Assessment
- SAT score of 480 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
- ACT score of 19 on both Reading and Writing
- Second semester grade of B or higher in Junior year English course. To use high school grades, please submit an unofficial high school transcript to runningstart@cascadia.edu
Please attach copies of unofficial scores from Accuplacer, ACT, SAT or second semester Junior year high school transcript
2. Math Placement (strongly recommended)
Math placement is not required for eligibility, but is required to take Math courses and many Science courses. To be placed in Math students must use one of the following methods:
- Accuplacer
- Placement via High School Transcript
3. Running Start Contract
Submit Running Start Contract
* Please read contract carefully.
4.) Enrollment Verification Form (EVF)
Meet with the high school counselor and get a signed Enrollment Verification Form (EVF)
Students must submit an EVF every quarter. Students are responsible for full tuition and fees until submission of the EVF. Please allow 3 business days to process the EVF.
5.) Release of Information Form (Optional)
The Release of Information Form is an optional form and is available online. Important Note: Due to COVID-19 and our remote work environment, Enrollment Services will schedule a Zoom meeting with the student for verification of identity and validation of the form. The student will need to appear on camera with a photo ID at the scheduled Zoom meeting.
Current Running Start Students
Enrollment Verification Forms (EVF)
On Week 6 of every quarter, see your high school counselor for the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (EVF). Submit it as an email attachment to runningstart@cascadia.edu with your name and id number in the subject line. It is helpful if the filename of the attachment is your name and id number.
Please allow 3 business days to process your EVF.
Enroll in Classes
- Launch ctcLink in the Firefox browser or on your mobile device.
- Enroll in Classes on your Enrollment Date at your ctcLink account.
- Pay your student costs by the tuition deadline at your ctcLink account.
- Purchase your parking permit online or bus pass.
- Purchase your textbooks online at the University Bookstore. Most instructors expect students to have textbooks in hand the first week of classes. Check for course textbooks with the University Bookstore when you register so that you can choose the exact text required (check its ISBN) and order your textbooks or digital rental in time.
Release of Information Form (Optional)
The Release of Information Form is an optional form and is available online. Important Note: Due to COVID-19 and our remote work environment, Enrollment Services will schedule a Zoom meeting with the student for verification of identity and validation of the form. The student will need to appear on camera with a photo ID at the scheduled Zoom meeting.
Frequently asked Questions (FAQS)
- Q: Who can participate in Running Start?
- A: High school juniors and seniors can take up to 15 college credits per quarter at Cascadia College. The public school district pays Running Start tuition. Students can enroll in Fall, Winter and Spring quarters, for a maximum of 6 quarters. Students can apply to begin as a Running Start in any of these quarters.
- Q: How can I meet my high school requirements at Cascadia?
- A: Students earn high school and college credits simultaneously. Each five-credit Cascadia course will earn one year of the subject at the high school. For example, a student taking English 101 at Cascadia will earn one year of high school English. Students have access to any Cascadia course for which they meet the prerequisite.
- Q: Is Running Start free?
- A: Students are responsible for paying all college fees by the quarterly tuition deadline. The number of credits students can take tuition-free is determine by the number of classes taken at the high school. Students who are eligible for free/reduced cost meals pay only lab and studio art fees. Books and transportation costs are the student’s responsibility. Students are responsible for tuition for under-100 level classes and any classes taken during Summer Quarter or the Pre-Fall session.
- Q: How do I qualify for Running Start?
- A: Students must place into English 95 or English 101. English 95 is not a college-level class. Because it is an under-100 level class, students are responsible for paying full tuition for English 95.
- Q: Can I be a part-time Running Start student?
- A: Yes, some students choose to take some of their classes at the high school and others at the college. Students who take some classes at their high school will be eligible for fewer credits of free tuition at Cascadia. Students can pay for additional credits above the number of eligible credits.
- Q: How do homeschool and private school students participate in Running Start?
- A: Students register with their local homeschool network or the public school district.
- Q: Can I still participate in high school sports and other activities?
- A: Yes, you are still a student at your high school.
- Q: Is Running Start right for me?
- A: Running Start is a great option for motivated, independent students who are ready to accomplish college-level work. Running Start students must meet the same academic expectations as other Cascadia students. Cascadia grades appear on both the high school and college transcript.
- Q: Can I continue to receive accommodations included in my IEP or 504?
- A: Running Start students who have a 504 or IEP Plan should contact the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office to schedule an Access Meeting Appointment. Accommodations from a 504 or IEP Plan do not directly transfer over to Cascadia College. All Cascadia students (including Running Start) must engage in an interactive process with SAS to determine what accommodations they are eligible for. To schedule an Access Meeting, or if you have any questions, please email SAS at accessibility@cascadia.edu.
- Q: How do I register for classes?
- A: After admission to Running Start, you will attend a CORE orientation online or on campus. Academic Advisors will help you register for your first quarter’s classes. After your first quarter, you will register for your classes on your own.
Contact Information
Email us: runningstart@cascadia.edu
Please provide your Cascadia ctcLink Student ID Number (SID) if applicable.
