Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for Running Start at Renton Technical College:
- High School Junior or Senior
- Enrolled in a Washington State public high school
- Ready for college-level courses
Note: Home-school and students attending private schools may participate in Running Start. They must enroll in a public high school and be evaluated as a junior or senior. It is not required to take classes at the public high school to participate in Running Start.
Graduation requirements are established by each high school, and students must work closely with their high school counselor to ensure that all requirements are met. It is important that students verify exactly what high school credits will be earned before enrolling in a college class/program. One five (5) credit class at the college earns one (1) high school unit.
Student Financial Responsibility
Running Start covers tuition for college-level courses. The maximum credit eligible through Running Start is based on your combined high school and college enrollment. Running Start is offered during all quarters: fall, winter, spring, and summer.
You will be responsible for the costs of the application fee, books, special course/lab fees, and any other applicable fees. Approximate costs are:
| Accuplacer assessment fee | $10 |
| Books | Approximately $100/class |
| All applicable fees | Quarterly class fees ($30-$900, depending on course and program) |
| Tuition over 21 credits | Fee waiver available. See application packet for details |
Fee waiver available for qualifying students. Students must qualify for ONE of the following:
- Free/reduced lunch through school district within the past 5 years, OR
- Student’s family receives State or Federal Public Assistance (TANF, Basic Food/Food Stamps, Apple Health), OR
- Student qualifies for McKinney-Vento services or is in Foster Care, OR
- Student’s family qualifies as low-income
Students qualifying for the fee waiver may be eligible for a quarterly textbook and career training program supply scholarship. Scholarship application will be emailed to qualifying students before the start of each quarter. Quarterly scholarships are based on funding availability and subject to change.
