Costs and Financial Assistance

Running Start covers the cost of tuition for college-level courses (courses numbered 100 and above). The maximum number of tuition-free college credits available to a student each quarter is based on the number of high school classes a student takes and is indicated on the quarterly Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF).

Running Start is available fall, winter and spring quarters. Additionally, Running Start is available summer quarter for rising juniors and rising seniors who have remaining enrollment/funding eligibility at the end of the school year. Students and families who are interested in enrolling during summer quarter are encouraged to communicate with their high school counselor and Running Start Advisor for more information and to plan accordingly.

Cost of Attendance

Students are responsible for paying costs including fees, textbooks, supplies, transportation, and tuition beyond their Running Start enrollment/funding limit as stated on the quarterly RSEVF. Tuition, fees, and Running Start funding are approximate and subject to change.

Tuition

Running Start students are responsible for paying tuition for credits beyond their approved enrollment/funding limit (as indicated on your RSEVF) and for classes below college-level (below 100-level).

Fees

Running Start students are responsible for paying class fees each quarter. Visit Highline College’s Registration & Records website to learn about fees at Highline College. The Running Start Fee Waiver and Textbook Assistance program is available for eligible students (see additional information below).

Textbooks and Supplies

Running Start students are responsible for paying course textbooks and supplies. Visit the Highline Bookstore website to search for course textbooks and supplies.

Transportation

Parking: Students enrolled in classes are eligible to receive a parking permit to park on campus. Visit Highline College’s parking website for more information about parking on campus.

Youth OCRA Card: All youth ages 18 and younger can ride public transit for free. To learn more, visit the myORCA website.

Running Start Fee Waiver and Textbook Assistance Program

The Running Start Fee Waiver and Textbook Assistance program is available for students and families with financial need to help with some of the college costs listed above. Mandatory fees for qualifying classes (100-level and above) are waived. Also, textbook vouchers are available to help pay for a portion of the costs for required course textbooks through the Highline Bookstore.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Fee Waiver and Textbook Assistance program, students must meet one of the following criteria within the past five years:

• Eligible for the free/reduced-price meals program;
• Eligible for the College Bound Scholarship;
• Eligible for state or federal public assistance program;
• Foster youth or McKinney-Vento status;
• Family/household income is equal to or less than USDA child nutrition program income guidelines.

How To Apply

Complete the Running Start Fee Waiver & Textbook Assistance Application and provide supporting documentation to verify your eligibility. Submit your documents to Running Start.

Students can expect to receive an email with instructions on how to use the textbook voucher about one week before the start of each quarter.

Scholarships and Additional Financial Assistance

Highline College Foundation Scholarships

Visit Highline College Foundation for information on how to apply for Foundation Scholarships.

Emergency Funding & Additional Resources

Visit Highline Benefits Hub for information about requesting emergency funding (living expenses, rent, food), academic emergency funding (tuition, fees, textbooks, and supplies), and additional resources.

Education and Training Voucher Program

The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program is a national program for qualifying students to receive assistance for educational expenses such as fees, textbooks, supplies, and transportation. Visit the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families website for more information about the ETV Program.