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Established in 2022 through a legislative proviso, “after-exit” Running Start permitted graduating seniors and those who exceeded FTE limitations to take up to 15 college credits through Running Start in the summer term to complete an associate degree. “After-exit” Running Start was not reauthorized in the 2025 legislation session and is no longer available to graduating seniors or any students exceeding the 1.40 FTE limitation.
All eligible students with FTE capacity at the conclusion of the spring term, including those completing the 10th grade and graduating seniors, may participate in Running Start in the summer term for up to 10 college credits, depending on their available FTE. This applies to home-based and private school students as well, provided they are eligible by class standing and meet the school district requirements for enrollment.
The “standard” summer Running Start process explained in last year’s Bulletin 027-24 should be followed for all students enrolling in summer Running Start for the foreseeable future. (Note: The last paragraph of the “Standard Summer Running Start For Students With Available FTE” section on page 6 no longer applies with the elimination of the “after-exit” proviso.) The 2025 Summer RSEVF forms are available on OSPI’s Course-Based Dual Credit webpage; however, the 2024 form may be accepted by colleges if completed before the 2025 RSEVF was made available. As addressed in past bulletins, high schools must collaborate with the school district and higher education partners to establish and communicate a process for students to enroll in summer Running Start when buildings have closed for the summer. They may not deny students access to summer Running Start simply because the school will be closed.
As mentioned above, students who have met high school credit requirements and are eligible to graduate in June may delay officially graduating to enroll in summer Running Start for up to 10 credits. The following responses to frequently asked questions may provide additional clarity.
Why is summer Running Start allowed for graduating seniors?
The summer term is an extension of the current school year. WAC 392-169-020 defines an eligible student as one who “has not as of the beginning of the school year earned the credits required for the award of a high school diploma.” Therefore, if the student began the school year short of credits, they may participate for the balance of the school year – including the summer – regardless of when they met their credit requirements. See question #93 in the Running Start FAQ for additional details.
If a student meets their graduation requirements, don’t we have to graduate them?
There is nothing in statute or rule requiring a district to formally graduate a student or issue a diploma upon completion of their high school graduation requirements. A graduating senior’s summer participation is no different than that of a senior who met graduation requirements in December and continued to access Running Start through June.
If a senior is formally graduated, can they participate in summer Running Start?
Not with the elimination of “after-exit” Running Start, which was separately funded as a legislative proviso. For funding and transcription purposes, students who wish to participate in summer Running Start may not be formally graduated until the conclusion of the summer college term. Graduated students cannot be enrolled and will not generate funding, and the transcript cannot be reopened to reflect summer Running Start credits and grades retroactively.
How do graduating seniors participating in summer Running Start obtain official transcripts for college applications?
Official transcripts cannot be issued until the conclusion of the summer term. This is important for students and families to understand. We have recommended in past bulletins and guidance (Bulletin 027-24, Running Start FAQ, and Running Start Technical Guide) that schools or districts provide an unofficial transcript accompanied by a form letter indicating that the student is taking summer college courses through Running Start. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and the Council of Presidents (CoP) have indicated that their admissions counselors are aware of this opportunity and concur with this approach.
According to SBCTC and CoP, under most circumstances at Washington colleges and universities, admissions decisions are made well before the summer term and official transcripts are not required before the fall term. Therefore, the need for official transcripts is unlikely to impact the majority of students. Students pursuing admission to out-of-state, private, or highly selective institutions are strongly encouraged to contact them directly to be fully informed of their expectations and requirements. See the “Comprehensive Education Data and Research System (CEDARS) Reporting Requirements” in the Running Start Technical Guide and question #156 in the Running Start FAQ for additional details.
What if final college course grades are not issued until the fall term has begun?
If the student completes the Running Start courses prior to the start of the next school year, they are considered the previous year’s graduates. Regardless of the date grades are submitted, the end date of the summer Running Start term would be the date of graduation.
Summer Running Start credits and grades may be retroactively applied to the high school transcript. They should be submitted to CEDARS in a 2024-2025 submission. See the “Comprehensive Education Data and Research System (CEDARS) Reporting Requirements” in the Running Start Technical Guide for additional details.
Are seniors participating in summer quarter Running Start still graduates of the Class of 2025?
Yes, these students remain graduates of the Class of 2025; however, their transcripts will reflect an August graduation date rather than a June one. See question #93 in the Running Start FAQ and the “Comprehensive Education Data and Research System (CEDARS) Reporting Requirements” in the Running Start Technical Guide for additional details.
Will delaying graduation for summer Running Start impact school graduation rates or funding?
It will not. Participating seniors are still graduates of the Class of 2025, and the distinction between a June and August graduate has no bearing on on-time graduation rates or school funding.
Should students pending graduation be allowed to walk at graduation or be considered for graduation honors?
Yes, absolutely. Seniors who have met all high school graduation requirements before participating in summer Running Start should not be prohibited from participating in graduation ceremonies or being considered for graduation honors. See question #148 in the Running Start FAQ and the “Running Start Access” section of Bulletin #067-24 for additional details.
On the summer RSEVF, what is the difference between “12th but not graduating” and “5th Year Senior”?
For current first-year seniors, check “12th but not graduating.” These students are traditional seniors delaying graduation. Current first-year seniors do not become fifth-year seniors until the fall term. They may enroll in Running Start for the first time in the summer term because it is an extension of the current school year. By doing so, they establish their eligibility to participate in the following year as a fifth-year senior provided they have not met their district’s graduation requirements at the beginning of the new school year. These students are not limited during the summer term to taking courses that fulfill high school graduation requirements.
“5th Year Senior” refers to a student currently in their second or third senior year. Current fifth-year (or beyond) seniors may enroll in summer quarter Running Start only if they have participated in Running Start previously AND have not reached or exceeded the 63-credit limit for all senior years combined. They may not begin Running Start in a second or third senior year and are limited to taking only courses that will fulfill their district's high school graduation requirements.
May home-based and private school students participate in summer quarter Running Start?
Yes, provided they are eligible by class standing and meet the school district requirements for enrollment.
Can high schools establish a deadline for summer RSEVF submission so students are enrolled before schools close for the summer?
Yes and no. They may establish “soft” internal deadlines to aid in the administration of summer Running Start, but they cannot deny a student the right to participate because they missed a high school deadline. To that end, they must collaborate with the school district and higher education partners to establish and communicate a process – possibly centralized through the district – for students to enroll in summer Running Start when buildings have closed for the summer. Eligible students must be permitted to register for Running Start courses in accordance with college timelines and procedures, and schools may not deny students access to summer Running Start simply because the building will be closed.
See questions #78 and #97 in the Running Start FAQ, the “Running Start Access” section of Bulletin #067-24, and the “Summer Quarter Running Start” section in the Running Start Technical Guide for additional details.
How is summer Running Start funded?
For 2025, summer Running Start is funded based on a two-count summer term (July and August) at 2024-2025 Running Start rates. With the elimination of the “after-exit” proviso, the additional 30% rate enhancement established in 2024 will not be applied for summer enrollment 2025. A legislative correction to the two-count/two-thirds funding dilemma was not addressed in this year’s session.
Do you have questions about summer Running Start or dual credit? Tim McClain, Dual Credit Program Supervisor, will be available for open, drop-in office hours on the following days. Click the links to Zoom in for a chat with Tim or connect with others across the state in an informal, conversational space.
Dual Credit Spring Office Hours:
Additional Resources:
Running Start FAQ
Summer RSEVF (Digital)
Summer RSEVF (Non-Digital)
OSPI Course-Based Dual Credit Webpage
Dual Credit Updates Listserv
October 23, 2025 Webinar with SBCTC
Running Start Technical Guide (Note: References to “after-exit” Running Start and some processes/deadlines are outdated.)
Bulletin #067-24 (Note: References to “after-exit” Running Start and some processes/deadlines are outdated.)
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Contact...
Dual Credit Program Supervisor
Tim McClain
Tim.McClain@k12.wa.us
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