Running Start

What is Running Start?

Running Start allows qualified high school juniors and seniors to enroll tuition-free in college-level courses as part of their high school program of study. Books, supplies, lab fees, and transportation are the responsibility of the student. Students are responsible to pay for any college courses numbered below 100.

To be admitted to BBCC as a Running Start student, students must be registered as a junior or senior in a Washington state public school, under 21 years of age, and place into a college-level English or college-level mathematics course. (College-level classes are numbered 100 and above.)
Students who will take only professional/technical courses, such as welding, industrial systems technology, etc., may qualify by placement into the required English and mathematics for that program.
Homeschooled students and students attending private schools must be evaluated at the junior or senior level by a public high school official and enroll at that school.
Students who have passed the GED and who do not have a high school diploma may enroll through their high school and be eligible for the Running Start program until the age of 21.

Attend or View a Running Start Session

2025 Running Start Information Session Video

UPCOMING INFORMATION SESSIONS:

Learn more about the program and how students can qualify
Understand the application process
Get your questions answered

INFORMATION SESSION DATES:

*All sessions are scheduled for 6 p.m., please view the Running Start Information Video before attending.

Tuesday, February 11
Tuesday, March 11
Tuesday, April 15
Tuesday, May 13

SESSION LINKS:

English Session Link

Spanish Session Link

How to Establish College Level Placement and Qualify

Placement into college level English or Math, see placement options placement options.

Meet with your High School Counselor

We encourage prospective Running Start Students to meet with their high school counselor regarding participation in the program. Counselors can help students decide if the program is a good fit and will be able to determine what classes a student will need to enroll in at BBCC to complete their high school graduation requirements.

High School vs College: What to expect

Summer Running Start

I am a new Running Start Student

All incoming juniors and seniors, new to the Running Start program, are eligible to enroll in a maximum of 10 college-level credits summer quarter. Summer quarter classes begin on July 1^st and end on August 8^th. Summer quarter is condensed into 6 weeks (fall, winter, and spring quarters are 12 weeks)

To qualify and enroll in summer classes, students must meet the deadlines below and attend New Student Enrollment (NSE) on June 5^th.

June 5^th NSE Deadlines

May 18^th BBCC Admissions Application submitted
May 29^th (complete by)
- Activate ctcLink Account
- Submit documents for math & English placement
- Complete online Viking Orientation
- Sign up for June 5^th New Student Enrollment session
June 5^th Summer Running Start Verification form due
June 12^th balance for class fees due

Considering Summer Quarter Running Start?

Yes or No: Am I available July 1^st – August 8^th? Summer quarter is condensed into 6 weeks (fall, winter, and spring quarters are 12 weeks, so students are expected to complete the same amount of course work in ½ the amount of time).

Yes or No: Do I have a reliable computer and internet connection? (most summer classes are offered online)

Yes or No: Do I have time to commit to classes? Example: 1 class + study time = 24 hours per week, 2 classes + study time = 48 hours per week.

I am a current Running Start Student

As a current Running Start student, you may be eligible to enroll in a maximum of 10 college-level credits. Summer quarter is condensed into 6 weeks (students will be expected to complete the same amount of course work in ½ the amount of time).

Important: The number of credits you are eligible to take must be calculated and confirmed by your high school before Running Start can pay for your summer quarter classes.

Enrollment for summer & fall quarters begins on May 19^th
Return your Summer Quarter Running Start Enrollment Verification Form to BBCC by June 5^th (NOTE: this form is different from the RSEVF form used for fall, winter, and spring).
Class fees are due June 12^th. Summer quarter classes begin July 1^st and end August 8^th.

Follow these steps to get started at Big Bend:

1. APPLY FOR ADMISSION

Welcome to Big Bend Community College! Are you planning to attend spring quarter? The last day to submit your application for spring quarter is March 1, 2025.

Click HERE and Apply as a Running Start student
Applicants will receive a welcome email once their application has been processed and they have been accepted to BBCC. This message will be sent to the email used to apply. Sometimes communications go to junk, be sure to check your inbox and junk mail frequently if you are expecting a communication from the college.
Questions? Contact Admissions (509) 793-2089, admissions@bigbend.edu, or visit in person at the 1400 bldg.

2. ACTIVATE YOUR STUDENT ctcLINK ACCOUNT

Once a student has been admitted, they will receive a welcome email, with next steps. Please follow the directions to activate your ctcLink Student Account, this is an important step for new students.

3. SUBMIT DOCUMENTS FOR MATH & ENGLISH PLACEMENT

- Complete the free Placement Evaluation Request for English & math placement. This step can only be completed after the student’s Admissions Application has been processed. Students will need their BBCC student ID (ctcLink ID) number, which is included in the welcome email, to submit placement documentation.
  - Upload documentation of high school or college/university transcripts:
    - most recent high school report card, high school transcript (within 10 years for English and 2 years for math), or Skyward grade report
    - unofficial college/university transcripts
    - SBAC, PSAT, SAT, ACT scores
  - Math Placement Flow Chart
- Learn about all placement options such as how Transfer credit, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit earned in English and math can be used for placement. Be aware: You may not be able to enroll for some courses without placement.
- The BBCC Accuplacer test is for students intending to enroll in math or a course that requires a math prerequisite and are not able to report high school grades or scores and do not have any previous college experience. Cost: $10.
- Guided Placement for English is for students that are not able to report high school grades or scores and do not have any previous college experience.
(509) 793-2064 | testingcenter@bigbend.edu | Testing Center, 1400 bldg

4. Online Viking Orientation

All new students are required to complete an Online Viking Orientation and it must be completed before you attend New Student Registration. The online orientation is a resource for you to refer to anytime.

5. Attend New Student Enrollment

At your New Student Enrollment session, an advisor will help you understand your placement results, find essential resources on the BBCC website, and help you enroll in your first quarter classes. Note: At the end of the Viking Orientation, you will sign up for a New Student Enrollment session. Follow the directions provided for you in the online orientation. The link to sign up for this event is found in the Online Viking Orientation.

6. Running Start Enrollment Verification Form

Each quarter students must submit a Running Start Verification Form to BBCC to get their tuition paid, failure to submit this form before the tuition due date will result in a student being dropped from their courses.

Verification Forms can be submitted via email, Admissions@bigbend.edu or in person at the Student Services Desk in the 1400 bldg.
All signatures (high school counselor, parent/guardian, and student) must be on the form. BBCC will accept your typed name in the signature space if you are unable to sign the document. BBCC staff will provide the College Running Start Advisor/Representative signature when the form in received in our office.
2025-2026 Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF)
Important Dates & Deadlines.

7. Pay Additional Tuition and/or Fees

Each quarter, Running Start students will be responsible to pay tuition costs above their approved number of college-level credits, tuition costs for any courses below college-level (below 100-level), and/or course fees, and associated student fees. This must be paid by the tuition due date or students’ risk being dropped from their courses, Check Here for Dates and Deadlines!
Save your Spot! Pay tuition through the ctcLink Student Home page, in person, or by phone at the Business Office, 1400 bldg, (509) 793-2018, businessoffice@bigbend.edu.
Students can also set up a STEPP Payment Plan if needed. Stop by the Business Office or call (509) 793-2018 to get started.

Admissions Processing Timeline 2024-2025

Quarter	Application Opens & Processing Begins	Admissions Application Deadline to Apply	Last Day to Sign up for New Student Enrollment	Running Start Enrollment Verification Forms Due
Winter 2025 Begins Jan. 2	Sept. 1	Dec. 1	Dec. 10	Dec. 12
Spring 2025 Begins March 31	Dec. 1	March 1	March 11	March 6
Summer 2025 Begins July 1	March 1	June 1	June 10	June 5
Fall 2025 Begins Sept. 22	Nov. 1	Aug. 21	Aug. 28	Sept.4

*Dates subject to change without notice

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