Running Start Coding Guidelines

The tuition waivers and residency classifications document contains information on tuition waivers, residency classifications and the Running Start Program that may be applicable to students enrolling in Washington state's community and technical colleges.

Running Start

The Running Start program is available for eligible 11th and 12th grade students.

Eleventh and 12th grade students or students who have not yet received the credits required for a high school diploma and are eligible to be in the eleventh or twelfth grades may apply and enroll in courses or programs. No tuition or S&A fee is charged to the student, up to 21 credits.  Running Start students are required to pay other mandatory fees assessed by the college. 

Student Category: SRSR

 

Running Start Fee Waiver

Running Start students attending community and technical colleges  generally pay mandatory college and/or student voted fees as established by the community and technical college.  However, colleges must waive mandatory college and/or student voted fees for eligible low-income Running Start students.

Student Category: SRSL

  1. In lieu of tuition and fees (operating, building and S&A fees) Running Start students shall pay to the community or technical college all other mandatory fees as established by each community or technical college.
  2. The institutions of higher education must make available fee waivers for low-income Running Start students.
  3. Each institution must establish a written policy for the determination of low-income students before offering the fee waiver.
  4. Language in statute referring to proration of charges based on credit load does not apply to the mandatory fees assessed by community and technical colleges.

A student shall be considered low-income and eligible for a fee waiver upon proof that the student is currently qualified to receive free or reduced-price lunch. Acceptable documentation of low-income status may also include:

  1. Student has been deemed eligible for free or reduced-price lunches in the last five years
  2. Family income of equal to or less than 50 percent of the state median
  3. Family income less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level
  4. Receiving any state or federal assistance funds
    Foster youth
  5. The term "mandatory fees" does not apply to all charges assessed by colleges. As noted in previous AAG guidance, charges for "consumable supplies, textbooks, and other materials retained by the student" are not within the definition of fees and therefore not subject to the mandatory low-income waiver provisions.

  1. Each college must establish a written policy for determination of low-income Running Start students. Eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch must be one qualifying status.
  2. The Running Start Coordinator or designate will review the documentation and approve fee waiver at time of initial advising or thereafter for family financial changes. Running Start students should not be asked to fill out the FAFSA to establish eligibility.
  3. At time of registration, Running Start students receiving a waiver will be identified by the appropriate student category (SRSR or SRSL).

  1. Supply waiver documentation at time of advising and no later than the first class day.
  2. Notify Running Start Coordinator or designate of family financial changes that may result in waiver eligibility.
  3. Pay mandatory fees if not eligible for low-income waiver.

RCW 28A.600.310 (7)-(8) – Running start program — enrollment in institutions of higher education — student fees — fee waivers — transmittal of funds — report on program financial support.