Need-Based Fee Waiver
Need-based waivers are available for qualifying low income Running Start students for all fees other than tuition or operating fees. Once documentation has been submitted and approved, the student will be eligible for the fee waiver for the remainder of their enrollment as a Running Start student.
- Students shall be considered low income and eligible for a fee waiver upon proof the student is currently qualified to receive free or reduced-price lunch at their high school.
- Students who attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school that provides free lunch to the entire school.
- Students who have spent at least one year in the Washington State Foster Care system since the age of 13 are also eligible for the fee waiver.
- Students must supply a copy of their K-12 subsidized Food Program Eligibility Letter to the Running Start department via email or indicate their eligibility on the Enrollment Verification Form.
- Students attending a CEP high school.
- Chiawana High School
- Columbia High School
- Connell High School
- Endeavor High School
- Desert Oasis High School
- Grandview High School
- Kennewick High School
- Kamiakin High School
- Kiona Benton High School
- Legacy High School
- Mid-Columbia Parent Partnership
- Moses Lake High School
- New Horizons High School
- Othello High School
- Pasco High School
- Phoenix High School
- Prosser High School
- River's Edge High School
- River View High School
- Southridge High School
- Wahluke High School
Enrollment Verification Form
Students are required to complete and submit an Enrollment Verification Form every quarter. The form must include student, parent/guardian and high school counselor signatures. If you would like to complete this form in person, please choose "Non-digital Signature." If you would like to complete this form virtually, please choose "Digital Signature."
ESSER Grant
The Running Start program received the Elementary and Secondary schools Emergency Relief Grant (ESSER). The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) partnered with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to offset learning loss for students that qualify for the Running Start Program by providing additional funding for you! The goal of the ESSER grant is to support Running Start students pursuing a degree in a Career & Technical Education (CTE) field or students who want to explore classes in a CTE field.
The ESSER Grant Provides FREE:
- Tuition
- Textbooks/eBooks
- Tools/kits and supplies required for your program
- Certifications
- Credentials
- Placement testing
- Employment Licensing
Students may be eligible for the ESSER Grant if they are:
- Enrolled in the Running Start Program - students don’t have to receive free and reduced lunch to be eligible!
- Enrolled above their approved credits.
- Wanting to pursue a degree in a Career & Technical Education (CTE) field or take a CTE course.
Release of Information
According to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, college students (including those that are under 18) are considered responsible adults and are allowed to determine who will receive information about their educational records. Students may grant access to their information by signing and submitting a Release of Information (ROI).
