Regarding student readiness and interests:

• Taking rigorous coursework in an area of interest and/or skill can increase a student’s success.
• Taking dual credit courses that have exams (AP/CI/IB) gives students a chance to try a college preparatory course and choose not to take the exam or not to send the score if they don’t want to attempt earning the corresponding college course credit.
• There is more potential for earning actual college credit, and also some risk, with Running Start and College in the High School since the student actually starts an official college transcript by taking college courses.
• Offered at the high school or a local skills center, taking a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit course can earn a student college credit while satisfying specific high school credit requirements. CTE Dual Credit courses may also be part of a CTE Graduation Pathway, enabling a student to complete the graduation pathway requirement. With CTE Dual Credit, students can choose at the end of the course whether to accept the college credit or not.
• Offered on the college campus and taught by its faculty, Running Start provides students with an early taste of college life. College in the High School, on the other hand, exposes students to the same rigor and college-level work without leaving the high school environment.

Regarding transfer of college credits or exam scores:

• The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) maintains the Washington Student Achievement Council's Dual Credit Programs Comparison document that compares program information, costs, and other variances between the different dual credit programs.
• The Washington State Council of Presidents has developed resources to help inform families and students about dual credit.
• The Washington 45 is a list of college courses that students can take via Running Start or possibly College in the High School that are the most likely courses to transfer into any public 2/4-year college in Washington.
• Each college maintains its own webpage dedicated to “transfer credit”, which is the term most colleges use when referring to “dual credit”. Going directly to the college where the student wants to enroll will guarantee the most accurate information.
• Though uncommon, there can be modest financial aid impacts related to dual credit, and students and families are encouraged to consult with college financial aid officers when taking early and/or heavy dual credit course loads.

While most federal and state-funded resources are available to students who qualify for free or reduced lunch (FRPL), students should always ask their counselor if there are any other school or community-based resources that can help.

For all dual credit programs, high schools may apply for Consolidated Equity and Sustainability Grant (FP 154) funding to expand their programs, increase access, and lower costs for students. These funds can be used to help students with the costs any dual credit program.

For college preparatory courses with exams (AP/IB/CI):

• Washington’s test fee subsidy program provides funding each year to reduce the cost of AP/IB/CI exams for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch.
• Schools can also use Federal Title IV funds to help with test fees.

For concurrent enrollment courses through College in the High School (CHS):

• Substitute Senate Bill 5048 established a state-supported funding structure to administer College in the High School (CiHS), thereby eliminating costs to students attending a public high school or charter school and enrolled in a CiHS course offered by an approved Washington public institution of higher education.

For concurrent enrollment courses through Running Start:

• Colleges must make fee waivers available to students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
• Many colleges also provide financial assistance and/or loan programs for books for low-income students.

Running Start is unique because it takes place on a college campus (except when a student is enrolled in college courses online). Ideally, students will enroll beginning with the fall term to maximize eligibility. Depending upon the college and high school’s process, enrollment for the fall quarter/semester can begin as early as February of the same calendar year. Interested sophomores and juniors should begin asking for information by January of the same year in which they want to enroll in Running Start.

Interested students should start by meeting with their high school counselor and/or attending any kind of Running Start information event. The high school counselor or advisor will help the student determine:

1. If Running Start fits with the student’s interests, skill level, and High School and Beyond Plan,
2. What courses the student can take that will meet high school graduation requirements,
3. What the college eligibility, orientation, and registration processes entail, and
4. What, if any, resources may be available to help with the costs of fees, books, supplies, and transportation.

At any time, interested students may also go to the college’s website, type Running Start into the search box, and explore what the college’s eligibility, orientation, and enrollment processes entail.

Course-Based Dual Credit 

In course-based dual credit (concurrent enrollment), a student enrolls in a class that has the potential to earn both high school and college credit. Course-based dual credit classes can be offered at the high school (Career and Technical Education and College in the High School) or at the college (Running Start).