Running Start
Earning college credit while you're still in high school has plenty of advantages. Save money. Make connections. Build your resume. And have fun while doing it.
New Students
Ready to start the application process?
Go to the Get Started page and select High School Students.
Returning Students
- Submit Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) by deadline
- Pay fees by deadline
Running Start at Cascadia
Running Start is a statewide partnership between colleges and local high schools. The program allows high school juniors and seniors to attend the college tuition-free and earn credits that count for both high school and college.
- Tuition is free. The public schools cover the tuition for Running Start students; however, students are still responsible for fees. Students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch may also qualify for some fees to be waived.
- Full-time Running Start students are on track to earn an Associate degree.
- Class are offered at Cascadia College's Bothell Campus, Online, Hybrid, or at the Cascadia College Redmond Together Center satellite campus.
- You'll have full access to the University of Washington's library system as a Cascadia student.
- Cascadia's average class size is 21 students!
Running Start Info Session
Are you a high school student eager to get a head start on your college education? Join us for our Running Start Information session, where you'll learn how you can earn college credits while still completing your high school requirements.
Sign up for a Running Start Info Session.
Deadlines
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
Summer Running Start PaperworkSummer 2025 Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) Math Placement (optional) |
Summer Priority Deadline
|
| Summer Fees and Tuition Due | June 4, 2025 |
| First Day of Summer Classes | July 1, 2025 |
| Item | Date |
Fall Running Start PaperworkFall 2025 Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) Math Placement (optional) |
Fall Priority Deadline
|
| Fall Fees and Tuition Due | August 27, 2025 |
| First Day of Fall Classes | September 24, 2025 |
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
Summer Running Start Paperwork |
Summer Priority Deadline Summer Deadline |
| Summer Fees and Tuition | June 4, 2025 |
| First Day of Summer Classes | July 1, 2025 |
| Item | Date |
Fall Running Start PaperworkFall 2025 Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) Important Note: Ask your counselor to sign the Fall EVF before the Spring 2025 semester ends. After the semester ends, you may risk not having your form signed by the deadline. |
Fall Priority Deadline
|
| Fall Fees and Tuition Due | August 27, 2025 |
| First Day of Fall Classes | September 24, 2025 |
Forms
- Running Start Contract
- Summer 2025 Enrollment Verification Form (EVF)
- Fall 2025 Enrollment Verification Form (EVF)
Summer Eligibility
New Running Start Students
- Current 10th graders (rising juniors) and 11th graders (rising seniors) are eligible to take up to 10 credits in the summer.
Returning Running Start Students
- Current 11th graders (rising seniors) are eligible to take up to 10 credits in the summer.
- Current 12th graders who are repeating their senior year are eligible to take up to 10 credits in the summer. Running Start will only apply towards courses that count for the student’s high school graduation requirements.
- Current 12th graders graduating in Spring within 15 college credits of earning their associate degree can take up to 15 college credits. Running Start will only apply towards courses that count for student’s associate degree. This may delay a student’s official high school graduation until August. *** IMPORTANT *** We are advising these students to hold off on applying to Running Start. Funding is not guaranteed by the State of Washington this fiscal year. If funding does not occur, these students would not qualify for Running Start and would have to pay out-of-pocket for any summer classes taken.
Frequently asked Questions (FAQS)
High school juniors and seniors (as well as rising juniors transitioning from their sophomore to junior year over summer) can take up to 21 college credits per quarter at Cascadia College (up to 10 for the summer). The public school district pays Running Start tuition. Students can enroll in Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. Students can apply to begin as a Running Start student in any of these quarters.
- 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 the Pre-Fall session.
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.
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.
Students register with their local homeschool network or the public school district.
Yes, you are still a student at your high school.
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.
- Running Start students who have a 504 or IEP Plan should contact the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office to schedule an access meeting. 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.
- Running Start students who graduate from high school can continue to take classes after graduation as regular college students. Students are advised to reapply via our website with their updated information and to apply for financial aid as needed.