Running Start is a Washington State program that allows qualified high school juniors and seniors to enroll tuition-free in community college courses while completing high school diploma requirements.
Credit earned by Running Start students may apply to both high school graduation and toward future college degree completion at state colleges and universities in Washington. Generally, a five quarter credit course equates to one high school credit.
Running Start students who graduate from high school in the same year as they begin their course of study at Seattle University, or are attending college for the first time since high school graduation will be considered first-time freshmen, and should follow the usual application procedures and deadlines for freshman applicants. Running Start nursing applicants have an opportunity to be considered for the transfer (2-Year) cohort; interested applicants must follow the outlined procedures and meet the requirements to be considered.
Running Start students will be considered "first-time freshmen" for eligibility for financial aid, including freshmen merit-based scholarships. Please refer to the Finances section for more information.
Seattle University has developed transfer guides as a resource for students planning to transfer credits from Washington state community colleges. Please refer to the Transfer Equivalency guide to see how your Running Start and dual enrollment credits may apply to Seattle University. For information on how your Running start credits will apply to Seattle University's Core Curriculum, please refer to the Core Curriculum website.