Public schools pay the tuition for Running Start students.

The number of credits a student is able to take tuition-free is based on the number of classes the student is taking at the high school. Students are responsible for all fees and non-tuition costs. (More on students costs later).

A student who is taking one course or no courses at the high school is eligible for 21 tuition-free credits per term (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer term).

Although students can take 21 credits per quarter, it is not typically recommended. At Cascadia, 15 credits usually means three five-credit classes. This credit load is typical for a full time college student.

Many students enroll in Running Start part-time. This means that they are taking some courses at their high school and some classes at Cascadia.

For each five-credit class at Cascadia, the student earns credit for 1 year of the high school subject, For example, a student who takes English 101 during Fall term at Cascadia will earn credit for either English 11 or English 12 at the high school.