High School juniors and seniors looking to get ahead of the curve in their college education will want to attend the upcoming Running Start Information Night at Olympic College.
Running Start Program Coordinator Jamie Flick is presenting a program overview with information on eligibility requirements and the benefits and considerations of participating in Running Start, followed by a question and answer session.
The Information Session is at 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, in the Bremer Student Center on OC’s Bremerton Campus.
“This year, OC welcomed one of its largest Running Start classes with 899 students enrolled in the program,” said Flick. “Running Start gives students a taste of college, an experience that can help them develop the independence and study skills needed to succeed in college.”
Running Start is a statewide dual-credit program serving Washington’s juniors and seniors. A full time student attending Olympic College can save more than $4,000 a year. Last year students and their families statewide saved more than $45 million in college tuition costs. Taxpayers saved over $42.2 million.
Through Running Start, students can earn up to two years of college credit during high school while also earning high school credit. Students may enroll in coursework that will transfer to baccalaureate institutions or gain professional technical skills to prepare them for the workforce.
Application and information packets will be available at the Information Night and are available on-line, at high school counseling centers or from the Running Start Office. The priority due date for applications for Running Start for Fall Quarter 2017 is May 1, 2017.
To be eligible for Running Start, a student must be classified as a high school junior or senior, be under the age of 21, have a 2.5 or above cumulative high school GPA, not have received a high school diploma. Students must also complete the OC assessment for placement into coursework. Students who do not meet the 2.5 GPA requirement may follow the appeal process. Home-schooled and private school applicants must be enrolled through the school district or public high school (depending on the school district), though they do not have to attend public high school.
For more information, or to request special accommodations to attend the information session, please contact the Running Start Office at least a week in advance.