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Start Your Application

Winter Quarter application will be available on October 1st.

1

Check Your Eligibility

You can do Running Start during your junior and/or senior years of high school if you’re a Washington state student.

  • 3.0 GPA or higher, Congratulations you are automatically admitted.
  • If you have a GPA between 2.7 and 3.0, you’ll need a recommendation letter from a non-family member. The letter must address the following:
    • autonomy
    • self-motivation
    • time-management skills
    • analytical thinking skills
  • If you’re a homeschool student, you’ll need to enroll at a high school that is eligible for Running Start. To be considered for admission, you’ll need to submit:
    • your homeschool transcripts and public high school transcript (if degree seeking) as well as
    • a letter of recommendation from non-family member addressing the above skills.
  • If you’re a student that attends a private high school, you’ll need to enroll at a high school that is eligible for Running Start.
2

Apply Online

Application for Winter 2025 will be available October 1st.

 

3

Confirm Eligibility for the Book Loan Program

If you qualify for free or reduced-price lunch (FRPL) at your high school, you can enroll into the Book Loan Program. Students who are a part of the Book Loan Program borrow textbooks instead of paying for them and have course/lab fees covered by Running Start.

How to Enroll in the Book Loan Program

  1. Submit your Running Start application, get accepted, and complete your newly admitted next steps.
  2. Meet with your Running Start advisor.
  3. After you meet with your Running Start advisor, you will receive your Enrollment Verification Form (EVF). On the EVF, make sure your high school counselor marks “YES” under “Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Status.” Submit the EVF by the quarterly EVF deadline.
    1. Instead of the EVF, you can email a letter from your school district to runningstart@ewu.edu showing your FRPL You still need to submit the EVF by the quarterly deadline regardless.

 

Application Process

  1. Complete Application: Please complete application with attention to correct spellings of your name and your email, your parent/guardian’s name and email, and your counselor name and email.
  2. Upload your Transcript: In completing the application, you will be asked to upload a transcript. This can be provided by your high school counselor or other school administrator. Please ensure that this is an unofficial transcript acquired through your school or school counselor, not a report card or progress report.
  3. Application Review: The Running Start office will review your application materials and notify you of your admission status by email (email associated with email input on application).
  4. Find your Admission Status: After your application has been processed, you will receive an email that says “Running Start Application Update.” Log in with your application information (email and password associated with your application) to view your decision letter and follow “Next Steps” instructions (if admitted). You can also check the status of your application in Application Management.
  5. Next Steps: Once you’re admitted, you will need to complete the Newly Admitted Steps (including providing further documentation) before you are advised.
  6. Advising: After completing the Newly Admitted steps and activating your account, you will be prompted via email to make an appointment with your Running Start Advisor.

More Information

Are you a student considering Running Start? Step one: talk to your high school counselor about your options. Step two: request info about running start and consider attending an information session.