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Step 1: Admissions
Complete a Pierce College application. Be sure to select "I will be enrolling as a Running Start student" and that you are pursuing an Academic program. After your application is processed by Admissions, you will receive a welcome email that includes your Pierce College ctcLink ID and a link to the New Student Guide.
Step 2: New Student Guide and Guided Self-Placement
The New Student Guide walks you through the next steps in preparing to become a college student, including how to complete Guided Self-Placement for English.
College level placement in English is required for Running Start participation. The Pierce College Guided Self-Placement (GSP) process is linked in module 2 of the New Student Guide and can be completed online from home. GSP is not a traditional placement "test." It is a guide to help you in determining which English route is right for you. To be eligible for Running Start, you must receive a recommendation of college English (ENGL& 101) either as a standalone class or combined with a 2 credit co-requisite support class (ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101).
Contact our testing centers at TestingCenter@pierce.ctc.edu for placement questions.
Step 3: Meet with Your High School Counselor
Complete a Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) with your high school counselor. Be prepared to share a screen shot of your GSP English recommendation with your counselor to demonstrate your eligibility to participate in Running Start. Please submit your Running Start EVF online in Canvas. You can self-enroll in this course and submit your completed EVF there. Effective Fall 2022, Puyallup School District students do not need to submit EVFs. Please see your high school counselor for more information.
Private school and homeschool students must enroll through the public high school they would be otherwise be attending and have a counselor at the public high school complete the EVF. Refer to the public school district contact list for enrollment information and EVF.
Step 4: Get Connected With Your Student Success Coach/Advisor
If you have not already done so, complete all modules in the New Student Guide. This is the final step to schedule a New Student Advising Session to schedule your first advising appointment. Visit the Advising webpage to schedule your new student advising appointment.
Step 5: Register and Pay
After meeting with a Pierce College Student Success Coach/Advisor, you are ready to register for classes when registration opens. Running Start students pay student and course fees each quarter after registering. See the Fees page for more information on quarterly fees and other expenses not covered by Running Start.
Important Note: Running Start student tuition must be adjusted by the college each quarter after receipt of the quarterly EVF. Your EVF is your tuition payment.
After tuition has been adjusted, payment can be made; be sure to pay by the quarterly deadline to avoid being dropped for non-payment (if tuition has not been adjusted several days before the payment deadline, please contact runningstart@pierce.ctc.edu).
Pay online by logging in to your ctcLink account.
The Running Start Fee Waiver and Book Loan Program is available to assist with the cost of required textbooks and quarterly student fees for eligible courses. Once approved for the fee waiver, it is valid for the duration the student is eligible for Running Start.
If your HS counselor completes the Free Reduced Priced Lunch (FRPL) section of your EVF, you are eligible for the Running Start Fee Waiver and Book Loan program. Other eligibility criteria includes Apple Health or Provider One card. Please contact runningstart@pierce.ctc.edu for more information.