New Student Running Start (RS) Admissions Process

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Running Start Student and Parent Information Session Schedule and Sign-Up

New RS students must complete ALL RS Admission Phases below in order to participate. This includes completing the the mandatory online RS New Student Orientation and submission of their completed and signed RS Enrollment Verification Form.

Please review our Bellevue College RS Program Frequently Asked Questions & Answers for general, troubleshooting, and fee waiver questions. If you do not see your question/answer in the Bellevue College RS Program Frequently Asked Questions & Answers, please email runningstartnewstudent@bellevuecollege.edu.

Complete all phases below in order to apply for the RS program:

Spring 2025 – Deadline is March 21, 2025 (Use the Academic Calendar to view the suggested
admission deadlines)

  • You apply only once – current students do not need to reapply
  • Select “First Yearnot “Running Start” on the college application
  • Do not select “Transitional Studies”
  • Select “Non-Seeking” degree
  • NOTE: Using a high school email address may cause a delay and/or result in missed
    important communications

Use this link for Step-by-Step Help with the Application process

  • All new students must complete this RS Intent in order to join the RS program
  • Private and homeschool students must also take additional steps. See below

  • RS rules require that you enroll as a Non-Attending student at the high school in your service area or your school district office. You must call your local high school to determine how you enroll – it can vary by school district.
  • At the end of each quarter the college sends your grades only to the high school or district office where your enrollment is documented. If you wish for your private high school to receive your grades, you must ask the college to send an official transcript to you or your high school. There is a cost connected to this process.

Low-income students may request a fee waiver if they meet certain conditions and/or provide supporting documentation.

You can request the fee waiver at the time you submit your Enrollment Verification Form (see step four below) when you complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Status section on the EVF. Our office informs you by email if we need additional documentation.

ATTENTION: It can take up to 5 business days for our office to process the form.

Complete the RS Intent form

After your Bellevue College application is processed, expect an email from the BC Enrollment Office with your ctcLink student ID number and set up your student accounts.

Check your junk mail or spam folder to make sure you do not miss it.

After your Running Start Intent form is processed, expect an email from the RS Office with a checklist guide and complete both required items below before enrolling in classes.

  • Your high school and the college use this form to track the number of credits you take
    • Without this form the college charges you the full rate of tuition and fees
    • We cannot count you as a RS student
  • Use this link to download the EVF in PDF Format
    • Meet with your high school counselor to complete the EVF each quarter
    • Make sure you complete all parts of the form, including all required signatures
      • Leave the RS advisor signature blank
  • Submit the form online using the link below. This process requires you to login with your NetID, and upload your EVF in PDF format
    *ATTENTION: It can take up to 5 business days for our office to process the form.
Upload the Running Start EVF

  • This is a one-time, mandatory requirement to be completed before a student can enroll/register for classes.
  • RS-NSO course modules will appear in your online CANVAS once self-registered.
  • If you need help on how to access CANVAS, please look to https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/canvas/.

 https://bc.instructure.com/enroll/YXPGH9.

Understand processing for each of the two items above is not immediate. You are notified by email when each item is processed and the hold is removed.

Check your junk mail or spam folder to make sure you do not miss it.

Refer back to Modules 6 and 7 in the RS-NSO via canvas if you have questions regarding the following:

  • How to enroll in class(es)
  • First Year Seminar (FYS)
  • Running Start quarterly processes
  • Important information about payment
  • Permission number and prerequisites
  • Waiting list
  • Late enrollment
  • Class withdrawal

Completing the English and math placement is not required for RS admission. However, if the student enrolls in any course that requires it, then placement must be completed.

The Running Start Office does not handle placement. Please refer to the Placement and Testing Services webpage.

Congratulations! You are now a Running Start Student.

  • You must submit a completed and signed RS Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) each quarter,
    RS Enrollment Verification Form
  • Check your Bellevue College email account often (this is not your Canvas email). Your Bellevue College email account is the way we communicate all information to you
  • Remember, RS does not pay for classes below the 100 level (i.e., Math 099), or classes that exceed the number of allowed credits on your EVF
  • Fee Waiver: A Running Start student is considered low income and eligible for a fee waiver upon proof that the student meets federal eligibility requirements for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch (FRPL), verification on the quarter RS Enrollment Verification Form (EVF).
    Acceptable documentation of low-income status may also include:
    • Student has been deemed eligible for free/reduced lunches in the past five years
    • Family income is equal to or less than 50 percent of the state median
    • Family income is less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level
    • Student receiving any state or federal assistance funds
    • Youth in Care
      *Note: Consumable supplies, textbooks, and other materials retained by the student are not within the definition of fees and therefore not subject to the mandatory low-income waiver provisions. Running Start Fee Waiver Form :: Running Start Forms (bellevuecollege.edu)
  • Use this link for step-by-step instructions on How to Enroll for Classes.
  • After you enroll for classes, remember you must pay fees connected to the classes you take.
    • You must pay these fees by deadline for when tuition is due
    • Check the Academic Calendar for deadlines to pay tuition and fees
    • Some students may qualify for a fee waiver. See the fee waiver information above or in Phase 1

First Year Seminar (FYS) Transfer Degree Graduation Requirement

Advising Note: FYS is a graduation requirement for students who plan to complete an AAS-DTA (Associate in Arts and Sciences – Direct Transfer Agreement), and the transfer Associate Science Track I and II degrees.
The college expects students to complete FYS in the first two quarters of their enrollment.

Get Assistance

For students and/or parents/guardians with questions about the RS program, need assistance with the RS admission, or first-quarter class registration are welcome to book an appointment, using the button below. Parents/Guardians need to understand that student specific information cannot be shared due to FERPA. We will try and provide as much general information as possible depending on your questions.

Use the button below to schedule an appointment and select: “New and Prospective Running Start
Student Support”.

Please note that in addition to applying to the RS program and enrolling for classes, you must also understand other college and RS program requirements. Check the RS General Rules and Information for additional information.

We look forward to working with you as a student in the Running Start Program!

Last Updated January 22, 2025