Get a head start on college while you’re still in high school.

Running Start is a statewide program that allows qualified high school juniors and seniors to receive college credit, tuition-free while completing high school requirements.

Eligibility 

Be qualified as Junior (including rising Juniors, the Summer before Junior year) or Senior at a Washington public high school. Home-schooled students and students attending private high schools must be evaluated as juniors or seniors by a public school official either at the high school or the local school district.

Explore BTC

BTC offers Campus Tours & Career Exploration appointments. 

For more information regarding entry requirements for programs, visit the Degrees & Certificates webpage. 

Contact the Running Start Navigator email: rstart@btc.edu with questions. 

For direction on applying to BTC and assessing your math and English starting point, visit Admission Steps. Make sure to select "Running Start" when prompted on state application form. 

Verification/Required Forms

Running Start Paperwork

• Running Start Contract (annually)

• Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (quarterly)

• Summer Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (Summer 2025)

Running Start Enrollment Verification Form

You will need to complete a Running Start Enrollment Verification Form each quarter. Running Start will not pay for classes at BTC without submitting this completed form each quarter. 

Required Signatures

• Your parent or guardian
• Your high school counselor or school district representative
• Your own
• Your BTC Running Start Navigator or representative

Running Start Contract

The Running Start Contract includes important information about being a Running Start student at BTC and student expectations. 

Let’s get you enrolled!

Once you have turned in your quarterly Running Start Enrollment Verification Form, you will need to meet with the BTC Running Start Navigator so they can teach you how to register and help you develop an academic plan.

Each quarter, Running Start students may register online or by calling Registration at 360.752.8350. You will email your completed Running Start Enrollment Verification Form to rstart@btc.edu to gain access to register for classes. 

Running Start Advising

New students are encouraged to email rstart@btc.edu with any questions, for example:

• Admissions Process
• Program Options
• Running Start Paperwork and Registration
• Program Costs and Benefits
• Determine High School Credit Equivalencies
• Learn about Financial Assistance Programs

High School Course Equivalency Guides

Select your high school to see which BTC courses equate to high school requirements. If you do not see your high school listed, please contact the Running Start Navigator at rstart@btc.edu  or 360.752.8345.

• Bellingham Public Schools

• Blaine

• Ferndale

• Lynden

• Meridian

• Mount Baker

• Nooksack

• Sedro-Woolley

Tuition and Fees 

For information regarding tuition and fees, please see Running Start Costs. Tuition and fee due dates can be found on the BTC Calendar. 

Students can pay online with a VISA or MasterCard credit card (not debit), over the phone at 360.752.8311, or at the Cashier window, College Services (CS) building, where you may use cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, or financial assistance.

Running Start Financial Assistance 

Financial Assistance programs are available for students that demonstrate a need. Please schedule an appointment with your Running Start Navigator after completing your Running Start Enrollment Verification Form for more information and eligibility requirements. 

Additional Financial Assistance 

If you qualify for federal basic food benefits, you may eligible for the BFET program to assist with college expenses. Visit the Workforce Funding & Student Support website for more information. 

All students are encouraged to apply for the BTC Foundation Scholarship by June 30 for the next school year to assist with fees, books, tools, etc. 

For more information, contact the BTC Running Start Navigator at 360.752.8345 or e-mail RStart@btc.edu. 

Questions?

If you have questions about registering for classes, contact our Running Start Navigator 360.752.8345 or rstart@btc.edu, or talk with Registration 360.752.8350 or registration@btc.edu.

Additional registration resources are available to you on the Registration page.

Appointments:

Running Start Bookings