Current & Returning Students

Hey There, Running Start Eagle!

Don’t forget! Every quarter you want to attend EWU, you’ll need to:

  1. Meet with your Running Start advisor to plan courses
  2. Submit an enrollment verification form (AKA your EVF; you’ll get this when you meet with your advisor)
  3. Register for your classes

Upcoming Advising & EVF Deadlines

QuarterMeet With Your Advisor ByEVF Due
Summer 2025June 5June 6
Fall 2025TBDTBD

Please refer to the Academic Calendar for university-wide dates and deadlines.

Note: If you’re planning your very first quarter of Running Start at EWU, make sure you’ve applied to the program and followed the Newly Admitted Steps

Find Your Advisor

Once you’ve identified your advisor, use Navigate Student to message them or make an appointment.

Advising

No. You must meet with a Running Start advisor prior to plan out your courses for the upcoming quarter.

No. You must meet with a Running Start advisor. After the meeting, you will receive your EVF in your EWU email.

No. You only register in the advising appointment in your first quarter at Running Start. After your first quarter, you will plan your courses in your advising appointment with your Running Start advisor, and then register yourself once your EVF is turned in and registration opens.

You can either book an appointment online using Navigate Student or by calling our front desk at 509.359.6155.

No. We believe it is the student’s responsibility to schedule these important appointments. We will make an exception to this if the student has a valid health concern or other serious matter where making a call or using Navigate would not be possible.

No. You must have an appointment with a Running Start Advisor over Zoom or in-person in our office on the Cheney campus.

School District Graduation Plans

Graduation plans show which EWU courses are equivalent to high school graduation requirements by school district. Download your school district’s graduation plan.

Courses & Grades

It depends on when in the quarter you would like to do so.

  • Before or During Registration: You can email your Running Start advisor and ask to change a course you had planned to take. Please state the reason for the change and what course you would rather take. An advisor will look over the replacement course and help you with the next steps.
  • After Registration: You can always drop a course prior to the final drop date without any issue. Once you have dropped the unwanted course, you can then register for the course you have chosen to replace it.
  • One Week Into the Quarter: You will need to submit a withdrawal form to our office. Once the form is approved (typically takes 3–5 days), withdraw yourself from the unwanted course. Then you can register for the replacement course.

You will need to submit a withdrawal form to our office. Once the form is approved (typically takes 3–5 days), withdraw yourself from the unwanted course. Your course will be taken down from your Canvas at that point. If you withdraw from a course after the drop date, you will receive a “W” grade on your transcript.

If you drop your course before the drop date, nothing. You’re free to sign up for a different class to replace it, or leave your schedule as-is.

If you withdraw from a course after the drop date, you will receive a “W” grade on your transcript. While a “W” is not a negative mark, it’s usually better to avoid having multiple “W” grades on a transcript.

During the quarter, you will need to ask your teacher about your current course grade. After finals week, you can find all your course grades on your EagleNet account. All Running Start students follow the same grading policies as general EWU students. For more information regarding EWU grading policies, please visit Grade Information (Students).

Note: Your Running Start Advisor is not informed of your grades during the quarter. Your advisor won’t know your final grades until they are posted at the end of the quarter.

There are a few different ways you can address a failing grade in a course:

  • Have a conversation with your teacher. Explain why you are having a hard time in the course and politely ask if there is any way you could get a better, passing grade or what you need to be focusing on more to be able to understand the coursework. Ask if they know of any good tutors for the subject.
  • Ask for an incomplete “XC” grade. An incomplete grade is like pushing the pause button on your failing class. If you are failing because of late work, this option is a good one to consider since it gives you a select amount of time to finish the late work and turn it in for a final grade.
  • If you feel like you are going to certainly fail a class, even after speaking to your teacher and getting some extra help, you can choose to withdraw from the class. You will need to submit a withdrawal form to our office. Once the form is approved (typically takes 3–5 days), withdraw yourself from the unwanted course. Your course will be taken down from your Canvas at that point. If you withdraw from a course, you will receive a “W” grade on your transcript. The “W” grade does not negatively affect your GPA but it does mean that you will have to retake the course if it is a required credit you need for high school.

When you fail a course at EWU, you can take the course again for a better grade. The most recent grade earned in the course will be given consideration on your transcript. The first instance of the course will appear on your transcript, but it will not be calculated into your final GPA.

FERPA & Student Privacy

Since Running Start students are treated the same as the general population, FERPA applies to Running Start students equally, meaning that unless documentation is provided, we are legally prohibited from sharing your FERPA-protected information with others.

Disclosure of information from confidential educational records is limited to the eligible student or to others:

  1. To whom the eligible student releases the records.
  2. Who have a legitimate educational interest.
  3. Who are entitled or permitted to know the content of the records by virtue of one or more FERPA exceptions.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk to their students about their academic progress. If a parent or guardian calls our office, we cannot disclose FERPA protected information.

  • Grades
  • Test Scores
  • Social Security Numbers
  • Financial Records
  • Disciplinary Records
  • Class Schedule
  • Any identifying data other than Directory Information

Any identifying data that would be considered Directory Information:

  • Name(s) and other contact information
  • Field of study
  • Dates of attendance
  • Degrees and awards
  • Most recent previous public or private school attended by the student
  • Any other information authorized in writing by the student

If you would like your parent or guardian to be able to access your FERPA protected information, you need to fill out the Release of Information Form. You can revoke access in the future, if you want.

No, you’ll still need to make your own advising appointments. We believe that practicing independence as a Running Start student will help you be better prepared for future college experiences and success.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (a.k.a. FERPA or the Buckley Amendment) is federal legislation enacted in 1974 that sets forth requirements regarding the privacy of student records. It requires institutions accepting federal monies to protect the privacy of student information. FERPA applies to all current and former students of Northwest. An institution’s failure to comply with FERPA may result in the Department of Education’s withdrawal of federal funds.

Other Questions

If you have charges owed on your account, they could be from one of a few places:

  • Course/Lab Fees: These can range between $15-$60 depending on the course they are connected to.
  • Late Fees: If you do not pay the costs charged to your account after a certain amount of time, you’ll start to accrue late fees as well.
  •  All-Inclusive Textbook Charge: Some course textbooks have all-inclusive formats that are automatically charged to your account and downloaded unless you opt-out of the service. These charges can range widely in price, but are usually in the $100-$400 range.

The EagleCard is the EWU student ID card. You can order one through EagleCard Services in 120 Tawanka Hall.

  • Running Start Advisor: The Running Start advisor assigned to your school will help you with any registration issues, high school and college credits questions, general EWU campus questions, math and English placement surveys, adding and dropping classes, helping you get educational aid and book loan questions.
  • Running Start Front Desk: Reach out to our front desk at runningstart@ewu.edu to turn in your EVF or general questions about Running Start, registration, application issues, technology or campus.
  • IT Help Desk: Please contact the IT Help Desk if your SSO information is lost or forgotten, EagleNet is down or if you’re having Canvas issues.
  • High School Counselor: Your high school counselor can help you with high school credit information, issues with high school classes, EVF discussion, approved credit amounts and graduation issues.

Educational Resources

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Career Center

We can help you write a cover letter and resume, find internship or job opportunities and sharpen your interviewing skills.

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Counseling & Wellness Services

Receive short-term counseling that is focused on solutions and resources, with in-person or telehealth options available.

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Math Tutoring

Need extra help with math? We are here to help! We offer tutoring in several places around campus.

Extra Help with Math

PLUS Tutoring

Our peer facilitators, tutors and coaches are here to help you succeed in your courses and academic goals.

Peer-to-Peer Assistance
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Student Accommodations & Support Services

We coordinate accommodations so every student can receive an equal opportunity to learn and participate in campus life.

Here to Help

Writers' Center

We collaborate with writers at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to polishing final drafts.

Schedule an Appointment

Student Organizations

Multicultural Center

Find opportunities to develop as a leader, network with campus and community resources, and develop a support system while at EWU.

Identity-Based Clubs & Orgs

Pride Center

We support LGBTQIA+ students and the greater EWU community through advocacy and empowerment, providing community space, delivering programs and events and facilitating trainings and workshops.

Connect With Us

SAIL

Discover yourself through interesting and fun student organizations and clubs, with the exception of EWU Athletics and Greek Life.

Get Involved

Graduating Senior Events

Running Start to CAAR Handoff

New Date: April 30, 2025 | 11 a.m. in HAR 210 or 1 p.m. on Zoom

Please join us to help make the transition from Running Start to CAAR (Center for Academic Advising and Retention).

  • Admissions will be on hand to recap the steps to being admitted, confirming your admission and paying your confirmation fee.
  • CAAR (undergraduate advising) will explain how undergraduate advising will continue, how to declare your major, and how to register for a registration & onboarding session.

Signing up now means you’ll register before new incoming freshmen, transfer students and everyone else.

Sign Up for In-Person

Sign Up for Zoom

Running Start Graduation Ceremony

 

May 21 from 5-7 p.m.

Celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of the Class of 2025 as they graduate from high school and EWU Running Start! Graduating seniors and their guests will enjoy an evening of light refreshments and a graduation ceremony.

5 p.m. –  Check-in and Refreshments
5:30-6:30 p.m. – Graduation Ceremony
6:30-7 p.m. – Refreshments & Photo Opportunities

Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Save My Spot

Graduating Seniors Staying at EWU

Since you were a previous Running Start student, you don’t have to apply to EWU! We already have a copy of your current EWU transcript and you do not have to pay the application fee.

  1. Email your official high school transcripts to admissions@ewu.edu
  2. Mention in your email: “I’m an EWU Running Start student and this transcript is my undergraduate application for Fall 25.”

Deadline for Fall 2025: September 2, 2025

If you meet the minimum GPA requirement (usually 2.80) and you’ve sent us your official high school transcripts, you may be considered for an award.

Deadline: February 1, 2025

Apply for EWU Scholarships

 

Complete your FAFSA or WASFA as soon as possible to be considered for the most financial aid.

Deadline: June 1, 2025

FAFSA & WASFA Information

Congratulations on continuing your education at Eastern Washington University! The confirmation steps will walk you through

Confirm

Sometime in mid-to-late April after you’ve confirmed your decision to stay at EWU, you’ll get an email inviting you to a CAAR Onboarding & Registration Session.

The Center for Academic Advising and Retention (CAAR) is where you’ll transition from meeting with Running Start advisors and meet with an undergraduate advisor instead. Your advisor will be specialized in advising you for a specific major or degree focus. For example, if you want to major in computer science, you’ll speak with a CAAR advisor who specializes in working with computer science students and their degree paths. CAAR advisors can also help you if your major is undecided.

Finish what you started! Follow these easy steps to stay at EWU for the rest of your bachelor’s degree and to make sure you’re considered for as many new student scholarships as you qualify for.

Graduating Seniors Leaving EWU

If you’re planning to attend a college or university other than EWU after you graduate from high school, you’ll need to order your transcript and get it to the other school(s):

  1. Log into EagleNet using your SSO
  2. Choose “Student”
  3. Choose the “Student Records” dropdown
  4. Choose “Order Official Transcript”
  5. Send a digital version of the official transcript to the admissions office of the college where you’re applying
  6. Complete the full admissions application process at the other school(s)