Running Start Coding Guidelines (beg. Fall Qtr 11-12)

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Running Start Funding Limit

Enrolled High School		Tuition-Free College Credit		Regular and Low Income use the same Fee Pay Status
Weekly Minutes **	Full-Time Enrollment	Max Full-Time Enrollment	Max Credits	Fee Pay Status
* Students qualifying for 0.60 FTE college enrollment and registering for exactly 10 college credits will be granted a 1-credit waiver for the 10th credit. ** Weekly Minutes based on high school bell schedule.
0-307	0.00-0.20	1.00	15	R5
308-412	0.21-0.27	0.93	14	R4
412-502	0.28-0.33	0.87	13	R3
503-607	0.34-0.40	0.80	12	R2
608-712	0.41-0.47	0.73	11	R1
713-802	0.48-0.53	0.67	10	R0
803-907	0.54-0.60	0.60	10*	S9
908-1012	0.61-0.67	0.53	8	S8
1013-1102	0.68-0.73	0.47	7	S7
1103-1207	0.74-0.80	0.40	6	S6
1208-1311	0.81-0.87	0.33	5	S5
1312-1402	0.88-0.93	0.27	4	S4
1403-1500	0.94-1.00	0.20	3	S3

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which FPS do I use on students that are eligible for Tuition Free Running Start credits per the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form?

A. It's important to remember that the FPS to use for a student qualifying for Running Start is the FPS associate with the Tuition Free Eligible Running Start Credits and NOT the number of credits for which a student registers. For example, a student is eligible for three Tuition Free Running Start credits per Running Start Enrollment Verification Form and registers for five credits. You would use FPS of $3. The student will then be appropriately charged for each credit beyond the three Tuition Free Running Start credits and will be accurately accounted for in Research.

Q. The student meets my college's qualifications for the Running Start Low Income Waiver of Fees (FAPC code W2A). How does this get applied?

A. In previous years there was a FPS status code for regular Running Start and one for Low Income Waiver Running Start. Due to the changes in when a student is considered Running Start and our system constraints, all Running Start students will be charged fees at the point of registration. Any student eligible for this waiver will need to have the Feess waived from their customer account in CASHIERING using the FAPC code of W2A. This is the same FAPC coding that was used for Low Income Running Start students to waive class fees previously. This waiver code will now be used for both Supplemental Fees attached to the FPS and for class fees. This waiver is only good on the fees attached to the Tuition Free Running Start Credits. For example, a student is eligible for 3 Free credits and registers for 5 credits. Only the fees associate with the 3 Free credits are eligible to be waived. The student must pay the fees associated with the additional 2 credits. These additional credits are not considered to be Running Start credits and therefore not eligible for the Low Income Waiver of Fees.

Q. When is a student eligible for a '10th credit waiver' of tuition (FAPC code W8A)?

A. Only a Running Start student who is eligible for exactly 9 Tuition Free Running Start credits and registers for exactly 10 credits is eligible for the '10th credit waiver' of tuition. Any student eligible for exactly 9 Tuition Free Running Start credits who registers for MORE than 10 credits is not eligible to have the 10th credit waived.

Running Start (Fee Pay Status - 54)

Tuition Waiver

The Running Start program is available for eligible 11th and 12th grade students. 

Summary

Eleventh and twelfth grade students or students who have not yet received the credits required for a high school diploma and are eligible to be in the eleventh or twelfth grades may apply and enroll in courses or programs. No tuition or S&A fee is charged to the student, up to 18 credits, however students are required to pay other mandatory fees assessed by the college.

Note: Running Start students qualifying as low income may be eligible for a waiver of certain mandatory fees. See Running Start Fee Pay Status - 50.

Statute

RCW 28A.600.390 – High school students’ options – Rules.

The superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the higher education coordinating board shall jointly develop and adopt rules governing RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.380, if rules are necessary. The rules shall be written to encourage the maximum use of the program and shall not narrow or limit the enrollment options under RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.380.

Running Start Fee Waiver (Fee Pay Status - 50)

Fee Waiver

This is a mandatory waiver of fees for eligible Running Start students effective fall quarter 2009. (Chapter 450, Laws of 2009, ESHB 2119)

Summary

Running Start students attending community and technical colleges must pay mandatory college and/or student voted fees as established by the community and technical college. Colleges must however waive mandatory college and/or student voted fees for eligible low-income Running Start students.

Note: As Running Start students, no tuition or S&A fee is charged to these students in the same way as students coded under Fee Pay Status - 54.

This waiver is not included in the 35% legislative limit.

Statute

RCW 28A.600.310 is amended by Chapter 450, Laws of 2009 with the addition of the following subsections:

2. In lieu of tuition and fees as defined in RCW 28B.15.020 (Tuition and Fees) and RCW 28B.15.041 (Service and Activities Fees), running start students shall pay to the community or technical college all other mandatory fees as established by each community or technical college; and all other institutions of higher education operating a running start program may charge technology fees. The fees charged shall be prorated based on credit load.
3. The institutions of higher education must make available fee waivers for low-income running start students. Each institution must establish a written policy for the determination of low-income students before offering the fee waiver. A student shall be considered low-income and eligible for a fee waiver upon proof that the student is currently qualified to receive free or reduced-price lunch. Acceptable documentation of low-income status may also include, but is not limited to, documentation that a student has been deemed eligible for free or reduced-price lunches in the last five years, or other criteria established in the institution's policy.

Effect

1. In lieu of tuition and fees (operating, building and S&A fees) Running Start students shall pay to the community or technical college all other mandatory fees as established by each community or technical college.
2. The institutions of higher education must make available fee waivers for low-income Running Start students.
3. Each institution must establish a written policy for the determination of low-income students before offering the fee waiver.
4. Language in the bill referring to proration of charges based on credit load does not apply to the mandatory fees assessed by community and technical colleges.

State Board Waiver Guidance

A student shall be considered low-income and eligible for a fee waiver upon proof that the student is currently qualified to receive free or reduced-price lunch. Acceptable documentation of low-income status may also include:

1. Student has been deemed eligible for free or reduced-price lunches in the last five years
2. Family income of equal to or less than 50 percent of the state median
3. Family income less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level
4. Receiving any state or federal assistance funds
5. Foster youth
6. The term "mandatory fees" does not apply to all charges assessed by colleges. As noted in previous AAG guidance, charges for "consumable supplies, textbooks, and other materials retained by the student" are not within the definition of fees and therefore not subject to the mandatory low-income waiver provisions.

College Responsibilities

1. Each college must establish a written policy for determination of low-income Running Start students. Eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch must be one qualifying status.
2. The Running Start Coordinator or designate will review the documentation and approve fee waiver at time of initial advising or thereafter for family financial changes. Running Start students should not be asked to fill out the FAFSA to establish eligibility.
3. At time of registration, Running Start students receiving a waiver will be identified by the Fee Pay Status code 50.

Student Responsibilities

1. Supply waiver documentation at time of advising and no later than the first class day.
2. Notify Running Start Coordinator or designate of family financial changes that may result in waiver eligibility.
3. Pay mandatory fees if not eligible for low-income waiver.

Note: Running Start students not eligible for a low-income waiver are coded to Fee Pay Status - 54.

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