Costs and Financial Assistance
Running Start covers tuition costs 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 their high school enrollment and is indicated on the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF). Running Start is available fall, winter and spring quarters.
New for 2023-24 academic year: Washington State legislation has increased the number of college credits covered by the Running Start program each quarter. Additionally, Running Start is available during 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 are encouraged to contact our office and their high school counselor for more information and to plan accordingly.
Cost of Attendance
Students are responsible for paying college costs including fees, textbooks, supplies, transportation, and tuition beyond their Running Start enrollment/funding limit. Tuition, fees, and Running Start funding limitations are approximate and subject to change.
Transportation
Parking: Students must pay to park on campus. Visit Highline College’s parking website to learn more about parking permits and other 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.
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.
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).
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.
