Frequently Asked Questions

Running Start is an amazing program that provides great opportunities for students and parents to save money and time. But, it's not for everyone. Here are answers to the most common questions about Running Start at CC.

Want more answers to more questions? Download the 38-page Running Start FAQs Booklet with Running Start questions with answers from the State Board of Education, Office of Public Instruction, and the State Board for Community and Technical College.

Yes! You can still play sports at your high school. Running Start does not impact your eligibility at all. 

Running Start students may not participate in college athletics, but you can participate in all college clubs and organizations.

As a Running Start student, you can participate in ALL high school activities and ALL college activities except for college athletics.

If your high school valedictorian/salutatorian is determined by GPA, it shouldn't be affected by your participation in RS. The high school could add additional criteria to be applied equally to ALL students, such as points for participation in AP classes at the high school, etc. Many RS students have been valedictorian or salutatorian, and in the top 10.

You are encouraged to complete your high school graduation requirements first. Running Start students who start their junior year and attend college full-time through their senior year may earn their college degree at the same time. Running Start students are encouraged to complete their associate degree with Centralia College before transferring to a four-year college.

Running Start students are responsible for buying their own books. Books can cost up to $150 per class. Centralia College’s Running Start program has a book loan program for students who qualify. Funds are limited so apply for the book loan program early.

The college typically does not contact your high school regarding attendance. However, participation in class is important and frequently grades reflect attendance. If an alert is sent to your advisor regarding attendance, the high school might be contacted. 

The Running Start program funds college-level classes up to 15 credits. The number of credits each student is funded for is determined by the number of classes the student is enrolled in at their high school. The more classes a student takes at the high school, the fewer credits the student is funded for at the college. A high school counselor or school district official will determine the number of credits each student can take. 

Running Start does not cover:

  • Tuition for classes under 100 level
  • Tuition for credits above maximum limit
  • Any additional course or lab fees
  • The cost of books and supplies for class
  • Classes taken during summer quarter

Running Start students have the same rights and responsibilities as any other college student. All student educational records are maintained according to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) concerning information that becomes part of the permanent record and governing the conditions of its disclosure. Only your name, dates of enrollment, and degrees earned can be released without your authorization. 

Yes, these classes are considered to be within the normal delivery of the college curriculum. For more information on online classes, visit eLearning.

All qualified students can enroll up to three quarters (fall, winter and spring) during their junior year and up to three quarters (fall, winter and spring) during their senior year. Special circumstance exists for second-year seniors who have previously participated in Running Start. Please contact the Running Start Office for details. 

No, Running Start students are funded only during the normal academic year. You can take college classes during the summer with a High School Release Form signed by a high school counselor or homeschool parent, but you are responsible for paying all tuition and fees.

Many students believe that if they simply stop attending, they will be withdrawn from the course; this is NOT true. Students will receive a 0.0 (Fail) for the course, which becomes part of their permanent high school and college records. Withdrawing from a class may have serious implications on a student's high school graduation status.

If a student withdraws from a course during the first 10 calendar class days (8 calendar days for summer quarter), their name will be removed from the class list. They must return the Schedule Change Form to the Enrollment Services office by the 10th class day. An instructor’s signature is not required. No record of the class will appear on the student’s transcript. Running Start students must have their advisor sign the Schedule Change Form before it is submitted to Enrollment Services.

If a student withdraws from a class after the 10th class day (8th class day for summer quarter), but on or before the 35th class day, they must return the Schedule Change Form to the Enrollment Services Office by the 35th class day. An instructor’s signature is not required, but  Running Start students must have their advisor sign the Schedule Change Form before it is submitted to Enrollment Services.The student will receive a “W” grade on their transcript.

If a student withdraws from a class after the 35th class day (20th class day for summer quarter), but before the last class day, they must contact their instructor by 5 p.m. on the last class day of the quarter to ask for a withdrawal. An instructor’s signature is required and  Running Start students must have their advisor sign the Schedule Change Form before it is submitted to Enrollment Services. The student will receive a “WP” grade(Withdrawal Passing) or a “WF” grade (Withdrawal Failing) on their transcript. The instructor will determine this grade based upon whether the student was passing or failing the course at the time of their withdrawal.

The number of credits is determined by your high school counselor and a Centralia College Running Start Advisor. The Running Start program pays for tuition up to a maximum of 15 credits of college level work each quarter. If you enroll for more college credits than eligible for, you are responsible for paying all college tuition and fees associated with exceeding the college credits.

The Running Start Program will fund only college-level courses (courses numbered 100 or above). If you want to take a course below college level, then you must pay for the course and have a High School Release Form signed by a high school counselor or home school parent. Students who do not qualify to take college-level math are STRONGLY encouraged to continue taking math courses at their high school. 

CONTACT RUNNING START 

Running Start
Advising/Counseling Center
TransAlta Commons, Second Floor
360-623-8967
ccrunningstart@centralia.edu