Program Overview

WSU Tri-Cities Running Start Program

The WSU Tri-Cities Running Start program is designed for qualifying high school juniors and seniors attending a high school within Benton-Franklin (and surrounding) counties. This program allows students to attend classes on the WSU Tri-Cities campus and receive both high school and college credit simultaneously, with tuition being free. Students can choose to take one class per semester or attend full time.

Eligibility Criteria

• Junior or senior standing in high school
• Enrolled in a Washington State public high school
• Have a 3.30 cumulative GPA or higher

Admissions Process

1. Students who wish to attend WSU Tri-Cities as a Running Start student must meet the Tri-Cities Running Start eligibility criteria. If a student meets the requirements, the student will then complete a WSU Tri-Cities Running Start online application at no cost.
   1. The WSU Tri-Cities Running Start online application link is only open from February 1 – April 1.
2. Students will be notified of their admission status on or before April 1.
   1. When applying, the student should use a valid email address that is checked regularly.
3. If a student is admitted, they will receive an email with information regarding next steps on how to confirm their admission into the Running Start program.
4. Once a student confirms their admission into the WSU Tri-Cities Running Start program, they will learn all essential information about being a Running Start Coug.

Application Requirements

Students who have a 3.50 or higher cumulative high school GPA:

1. Submit a WSU Tri-Cities Running Start application
2. After submission of the Running Start application, students will be instructed to complete/upload the following documents:
   1. Unofficial high school transcript
   2. FERPA form
   3. Parent permission form
   4. Optional: AP test scores, SAT or ACT test scores

Students who have a 3.30 to 3.49 cumulative unweighted high school GPA or homeschooled/private school:

1. Submit a WSU Tri-Cities Running Start application
2. After submission of the Running Start application, students will be instructed to complete/upload the following documents:
   1. Unofficial high school transcript
   2. FERPA form
   3. Parent permission form
   4. Personal statement detailing education goals
   5. 2 letters of recommendation (teacher, high school counselor, coach, etc.)
   6. Optional: AP test scores, SAT or ACT test scores

Cost of Running Start at WSU Tri-Cities

Tuition is free. Students will be responsible for paying tuition and fees for any credits they take over the specified amount that was approved by their high school counselor. Running Start students are responsible for fees and textbooks. Fees can be waived if the student is eligible for free or reduced lunch at the high school and submits their eligibility letter or attends a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) high school.

FERPA and Running Start Students

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives students certain rights with respect to their educational records. These rights include:

• Review and inspect their educational records
• Have their educational records amended or corrected
• Control disclosure of certain portions of their educational records FERPA applies to Running Start students equally, meaning that WSU is legally prohibited from sharing a WSU Tri-Cities Running Start student’s FERPA-protected information with others. This means that parents may not obtain any of their student’s education records without the written consent of the student. While parents understandably have an interest in their student’s academic progress, they aren’t automatically granted access to a student’s educational records. Parents are encouraged to ask their students directly about academic information. Students may provide third-party access for their guardian to view grades and other portions of their education record.