Running Start (RS) Program Information

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RS Program FAQ’s | August 2023 | State of Washington

Here is where you can find further information about the RS program.

Bellevue College RS Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Below you will find frequently asked questions. Use the tabs to find the relevant question for you.

If the student inputted the wrong quarter on the CTC Bellevue College application (Step 1) on the Running Start admission page, you would simply resubmit a new Bellevue College Application. 

If the student inputted the wrong quarter on the Running Start Intent form (Step 2) on the Running Start admission page, you would simply resubmit a new Running Start Intent form.

If you inputted the wrong quarter on both Step 1 and Step 2 on the Running Start admission page, then simply resubmit both forms.

Check weekly the email which the student inputted on the Running Start Intent form for the “Student Email”.

If the student used a High School email (typically the high school’s firewall will block Bellevue College emails), then please check your Junk/Spam folder. Additionally, make sure that you change the primary email in the ctcLink system, to your BC email address after you activate your ctcLink account.

If you are still unable to find it email runningstartnewstudent@bellevuecollege.edu

If there is a Running Start/ Underage hold on your account, it is because your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) has either not been turned in or it has not been processed.
It takes our office up to 5 business days to process forms.

Returning students can find the form here and submit the EVF with the link provided, or the student can use our general email.

Website: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/runningstart/navigation/current/ 

Email: chsprograms@bellevuecollege.edu 

If there is a Running Start/ Underage hold on your account, it is because your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) has either not been turned in or it has not been processed.
It takes our office up to 5 business days to process the EVF.

New Students can refer to the New Student Admission page or use the email provided to submit their RS EVF. 

Website: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/runningstart/navigation/admissions/ 

Email: runningstartnewstudent@bellevuecollege.edu 

Running Start does not cover

  • Credits above the number listed on the Enrollment Verification Form 
  • Classes below the 100 level (i.e., Math 098) 
  • Class and student fees 
  • Books, supplies, and other materials required for classes 
  • Transportation and parking fees 
  • Audited classes 
  • Any other expenses not related to tuition 

Even though RS students do not pay tuition, after you enroll you must pay any fees due to the college by the payment deadline located on the Academic Calendar. Failure to pay by the deadline can result in the college dropping the student from all classes.  

The student can find the Academic Calendar by navigating to Information For, Current Students, and then View Academic Calendar. Be sure to select the correct quarter. https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/current-students/student-central/calendar/ 

A description of your fees can be found by navigating to Admissions & Aid, Tuition & Fees, and then Description of Fees. https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees/required-fees/  

Unfortunately, there could be multiple reasons why. Below are a few reasons why. 

  • The class is full 
  • The waitlist is full 
  • The class doesn’t allow waitlist 
  • You don’t meet the prerequisites 
  • You don’t have an enrollment date, or you are not term activated 
  • Your Running Start Enrollment Verification form was not submitted or processed yet. 
  • Input error or some other kind of error 

Be sure to read what the error is when you try to register and send an email to the Center for High School programs office with your ctcLink number, picture of the error you are seeing, and any additional info you think would be useful. 

You can send your email to chsprograms@bellevuecollege.edu  

Read the two situations below and follow whichever matches your specific situation the best.

This means you most likely have not submitted anything to the Placement and Testing Center, or the Placement and Testing Center have not processed it yet. Note it does take that office time to process requests. Be sure to review the Bellevue College processing dashboard to see their respective timelines. https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/current-students/student-central/processing-dashboard/  

When the student’s placement is processed, the student should receive an email to their Bellevue College email address stating what your placement is from the Placement and Testing Center office. 

If the student has already completed placement and is still receiving the error then the student should carefully read the prerequisite for the specific course that they are trying to register for. The student can then navigate to Information for, Current Students, Placement & Testing Services, Clear/Verify Prerequisites Requirements. https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/current-students/placement-testing-services/prerequisites/

Submitting the form listed on that page will indicate Bellevue College should review the students account to make sure there are no internal errors in the system.

You have two options

Do an appeal request through enrollment services if the reason for missing the deadline was because of a medical hardship, death in the direct family, or a documented reason for being unable to access ctclink to withdraw by the posted deadline. These can be done in the navigation drop down menu titled ‘Information For’ then select Current Students, chose ‘Explore Enrollment Services’, and click on ‘Class Withdrawal Information’. The direct link to the general appeal is https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/services/appeal/.

If you had a medical reason then you would submit a Medical Withdraw appeal. Info regarding this can be found on the same page but the direct link would be https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/current-students/enrollment/medical-withdrawal-refund/  

Students can simply retake the course, however, note the GPA bearing is the only thing that would be “replaced”. Meaning the F would still show up on your college transcript. More info about retaking courses can be found by navigating to “Information for”, Current Students, Enrollment, and then Repeating a Course.

Navigate to Bellevue Colleges list of policies and procedures by navigating to the bottom of the Bellevue College website, click on Policies and Procedures. On the Policies and Procedures page locate the section tilted ‘Instruction’ then Grade Dispute. Follow the procedures listed on this page. The direct link to this policy can be found by going to https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/3000p/.

If the student has applied and received their ctcLink number, then they would follow the instructions in their email to activate their ctcLink account. 
If the student is trying to activate their account before receiving this information, then the student will need to wait until their application and intent are processed. Once processed the student will receive their instructions and ctcLink number. The student can email our office at runningstartnewstudent@bellevuecollege.edu

How to see your Degree progress in CTC: 

  1. Log into CTC 
  2. Click CTC Link Student Home Page 
  3. Left menu click Academics 
  4. Click degree progress 
  5. Click button View PDF 

If your degree is not listed correctly you can submit “WHAT IF” report and choose a degree. If the student has further questions, they can contact one of our Running Start advisors and we can directly them accordingly. Student can find our advising and educational planning information by navigating to the Running Stat website. From the Running Start website navigate to RS Advising & Education Planning. 

There are two steps to follow below.

Assuming that you have already completed placement simply click “Save” or “Next” without inputting anything for the permission number, this will continue the enrollment process.

Note: Before hitting “Save” or “Next” this is where you would select if you would like to be added into the wait-list if the class is full.

If you previously selected “Enroll” then the system should attempt to enroll you into the course. If there are any errors then it should show you what those errors are. If you selected “Add to Cart” then it would simply add it to your cart. You would then need to navigate to your cart and select enroll.

If Step 1 produces and error then be sure to read what that error is.

  • “Prerequisite” error
    • Then you should read our “When trying to enroll in classes, the system says I don’t meet the prerequisites?” FAQ listed on this page. Follow the directions on that specific FAQ in order to clear the prerequisite.
  • Some other error
    • Follow the directions listed on the FAQ “When trying to enroll I received an error. What does this mean?”. Depending on the specific error we will direct you accordingly.

If the student inputted the wrong quarter on the CTC Bellevue College application (Step 1) on the Running Start admission page, you would simply resubmit a new Bellevue College Application. 

If the student inputted the wrong quarter on the Running Start Intent form (Step 2) on the Running Start admission page, you would simply resubmit a new Running Start Intent form. 

If you inputted the wrong quarter on both Step 1 and Step 2 on the Running Start admission page, then simply resubmit both forms.

Check weekly the student email which the student inputted on the Running Start Intent form. If the student used a High School email, typically the high school’s firewall will block Bellevue College emails so please check your Junk/Spam folder. If you have used your high school email, make sure that you change the primary email in the CTC system, to your BC email address.

If you are still unable to find it email runningstartnewstudent@bellevuecollege.edu

Students can qualify for the RS Fee Waiver in 1 of 2 ways. 

Navigate to the Running Start website, then click on RS Forms and Quick Links, and then click on RS Fee Waiver Form. The direct link where the form is located is https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/runningstart/navigation/forms/. Once this online form is submitted, reviewed, and processed the student will be coded with the Running Start Fee Waiver student group if they are eligible. If the student is not eligible an email will be sent to the student explaining why.

While completing the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF) the students high school counselor can complete the Free and Reduced-Price Lunch (FRPL) section on the form. When the RSEVF is submitted, reviewed, processed, and the FRPL section is correctly filled out the student will be coded with the Running Start Fee Waiver student group if they are eligible. If the student is not eligible an email will be sent to the student explaining why.

Navigate to the Running Start website, click on RS Forms and Quick Links, and then click on RS Fee Waiver Form. The direct link where the form is located is https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/runningstart/navigation/forms/. Once this online form is submitted, reviewed, and processed the student will be coded with the Running Start Fee Waiver student group if they are eligible. Below is a list of forms which are typically submitted. Note: Only one document is needed not all.

  • Parents’ 1040 tax return with your name listed
  • Free reduce lunch verification letter from your school district with your name listed
  • DSHS benefit statement letter with your name listed
  • Medical card from public assistance with your name listed (printed both sides) and approved letter 
  • Foster Youth, letter from the student’s case manager

Once this form is submitted, reviewed, and processed the student will be coded with the Running Start Fee Waiver student group if they are eligible. If the student is not eligible an email will be sent to the student explaining why.

While completing the RS Enrollment Verification your high school counselor can complete the Free and Reduced-Price Lunch (FRPL) section on the form. When the Enrollment Verification form is submitted, reviewed, processed, and the FRPL section is correctly filled out the student will be coded with Running Start Fee Waiver student group. No further documentation would need to be submitted. However, every quarter the student plans to attend the Running Start Program the student will need to make sure the FRPL is completed each new Running Start Enrollment Verification form to stay eligible for the Running Start Fee Waiver.

Once this form is submitted, reviewed, and processed the student will be coded with the Running Start Fee Waiver student group if they are eligible. If the student is not eligible an email will be sent to the student explaining why. However, is this case the student should state they wish to be considered for the RS Fee Waiver program.

The fee waiver covers the student fees and class fees for the number of credits approved on the students Running Start Enrollment Verification From. 

Below is a list of some items that are not covered by the Running Start Fee Waiver: 

  • Consumable fees, specifically digital material fees, or rented equipment
  • Below 100 level classes 
  • Tuition for classes if the student chooses to enroll in MORE credits than approved on their Running Start Enrollment Verification form 
  • Placement fees 
  • Cost of ordering BC official transcript/s 
  • Any fines 
  • Meals at the college 
  • Transportation unless otherwise specified
  • Laptops or other materials that are usually provided by high schools 
  • Internet 
  • Any other fees not listed in the students’ ctcLink account under Student Financials 

Here are some examples of fees that are covered by the Running Start Fee Waiver: 

  • Comprehensive Fee 
  • Technology Fee 
  • Environmental Sustainability Fee 
  • Distance Education Fee 

These specific fees are listed on the students ctcLink account under Student Financials. 

Running Start does not pay for:

  • Credits above the number listed on the Enrollment Verification Form 
  • Classes below the 100 level (i.e., Math 098) 
  • Class and student fees 
  • Books, supplies, and other materials required for classes 
  • Transportation and parking fees 
  • Audited classes 
  • Any other expenses not related to tuition 

The student can find the Academic Calendar by navigating to Information For, Current Students, and then View Academic Calendar. Be sure to select the correct quarter. https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/current-students/student-central/calendar/ 

A description of your fees can be found by navigating to Admissions & Aid, Tuition & Fees, and then Description of Fees. https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees/required-fees/  

Students can find the form here and submit it with the link provided, or students can use our general email.  

Website: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/runningstart/navigation/current/ 

Email: chsprograms@bellevuecollege.edu 

If new students can refer to the new student admission process or use the email provided to submit their RSEVF.  

Website: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/runningstart/navigation/admissions/ 

Email: runningstartnewstudent@bellevuecollege.edu 

Unfortunately, there could be multiple reasons why. Below are a few reasons why. 

  • The class is full 
  • The waitlist is full 
  • The class doesn’t allow waitlist 
  • You don’t meet the prerequisites 
  • You don’t have an enrollment date, or you are not term activated 
  • Your Running Start Enrollment Verification form was not submitted or processed yet. 
  • Input error or some other kind of error 

Be sure to read what the error is when you try to register and send an email to our office with your ctcLink number, picture of the error you are facing, and any additional info you find useful. 

You can send your email to chsprograms@bellevuecollege.edu  

You have two options. 

Do an appeal request through enrollment services if the reason for missing the deadline was because of a medical hardship, death in the direct family, or a documented reason for being unable to access ctclink to withdraw by the posted deadline. These can be done in the navigation drop down menu titled ‘Information For’ then select Current Students, chose ‘Explore Enrollment Services’, and click on ‘Class Withdrawal Information’. The direct link to the general appeal is https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/services/appeal/.

If you had a medical reason then you would submit a Medical Withdraw appeal. Info regarding this can be found on the same page but the direct link would be https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/current-students/enrollment/medical-withdrawal-refund/  

Students can simply retake the course, however, note the GPA bearing is the only thing that would be “replaced”. Meaning the F would still show up on your college transcript. More info about retaking courses can be found by navigating to “Information for”, Current Students, Enrollment, and then Repeating a Course. 

Navigate to Bellevue Colleges list of policies and procedures by navigating to the bottom of the Bellevue College website, click on Policies and Procedures. On the Policies and Procedures page locate the section tilted ‘Instruction’ then Grade Dispute. Follow the procedures listed on this page. The direct link to this policy can be found by going to https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/3000p/

If the student has applied and received their ctcLink number, then they would follow the instructions in their email to activate their ctcLink account. 

If the student is trying to activate their account before receiving this information, then the student will need to wait until their application and intent are processed. Once processed the student will receive their instructions and ctcLink number. The student can email our office at runningstartnewstudent@bellevuecollege.edu 

This means you most likely have not submitted anything to the Placement and Testing Center, or they have not processed it yet. Note it does take that office time to process your requests. Be sure to review the Bellevue College processing dashboard to see the their timeline for processing. https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/current-students/student-central/processing-dashboard/  

When the student’s placement is processed, they should receive an email to your Bellevue College email address stating what your placement is from the Placement and Testing Center office. 

If the student has already completed placement and is still receiving the error then the student should carefully read the prerequisite for the specific course that they are trying to register for. The student can then navigate to Information for, Current Students, Placement & Testing Services, Clear/Verify Prerequisites Requirements. https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/current-students/placement-testing-services/prerequisites/  

Running Start students are not required to take a FYS course unless the student is completing an Associate’s Degree at Bellevue College. New Bellevue College students whose primary intent is earning the AAS-DTA, or equivalent degree are required to take a First-Year Seminar (FYS 101 or, STEM 101 and STEM 102) course(s) in their first two quarters at Bellevue College effective Summer 2021. For more information please refer to the FYS FAQ located at https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/fys/faq/

How to see your Degree progress in CTC: 

  1. Log into CTC 
  2. Click CTC Link Student Home Page 
  3. Left menu click Academics 
  4. Click degree progress 
  5. Click button View PDF 

If your degree is not listed correctly you can submit “WHAT IF” report and choose a degree. If the student has further questions, they can contact one of our Running Start advisors and we can directly them accordingly. Student can find our advising and educational planning information by navigating to the Running Stat website. From the Running Start website navigate to RS Advising & Education Planning. 

No, Bellevue College is an open enrollment college and thus does not have a GPA requirement for admissions into the college. This also means that the Running Start Program does not have a GPA requirement for admissions. However, note that specific programs at Bellevue College may have other specific admission requirements. Additionally the Running Start programs at other Washington State colleges will have different admission requirements compared to Bellevue College. 

On the Bellevue College Running Start website, navigate to the “Running Start Program Menu” on the left-hand side, then select “RS Admissions.” Complete “Step One” (complete the college admission application) and “Step Two” (complete the RS Intent form). Ensure communication with your high school counselor and notify them for your interest in doing Running Start. The direct link to the BC Running Start website is https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/runningstart

Please bookmark the BC Academic Calendar, which lists important dates such as admission and enrollment deadlines, payment due dates, holidays, breaks, and more. The Academic Calendar is accessible various ways from the BC website, but we also have a link in the “Running Start Program Menu” on the left-hand side on the Running Start webpage.

It can take our office up to 5 business days to process forms; and are processed in the order received. Once the EVF form is processed, you will receive an email informing you that you are cleared to enroll or if the EVF form is not complete/incorrect we will request correction and resubmission.

Clear and simple instructions for this can be found on the Bellevue College website “How to Enroll for Classes” https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/current-students/enrollment/how-to-enroll-for-classes/

Note: RS students cannot enroll until the Running Start Enrollment Verification form (EVF) has been submitted and processed.

How do I know if I enrolled in classes?
Navigate to the Bellevue College ctcLink tutorials and watch the tutorial named “Class-Schedule” https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/ctclink/students/training/class-schedule/ 

In short, the student will need to click on the specific class that they want to learn more about. The course description will then state if the class is asynchronous, synchronous, online, in person, or hybrid. See picture below for an example.

In this example, the class is asynchronous meaning there are no expected times the student needs to be available to attend class. Note, sometimes teachers may give specific windows for exams. The student should refer to the course syllabus which they get from the instructor regarding expectation for the course.

On the Bellevue College website (top navigation menu) hover over “Admissions & Aid”, then select “Transfer to Bellevue College.” Scroll down till you see the section titled “How to Transfer to BC” and expand Step 5.

Running Start students are not required to take a FYS course unless the student wishes to complete an Associate’s Degree at Bellevue College. New Bellevue College students whose primary intent is earning the AAS-DTA, or equivalent degree are required to take a First-Year Seminar (FYS 101 or, STEM 101 and STEM 102) course(s) in their first two quarters at Bellevue College effective Summer 2021. For more information please refer to the FYS FAQ located at https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/fys/faq/.


Last Updated August 27, 2024