Academic Standards

Running Start is a fantastic opportunity to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Running Start students are held to the same standards as all other traditional students at Green River. Academic performance at Green River matters in the short and long-term. Not only do poor grades and incomplete credits impact a student's ability to graduate on time, but there are long-term consequences that may impact a student's financial aid eligibility or ability to transfer to a university. The Running Start office enforces Green River’s Academic Standards Policy.

Satisfactory academic progress is defined each quarter as: 

  1. Earn a minimum 2.0 quarterly grade point average (GPA) AND
  2. Earn a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA)

All Running Start students are included in this policy. This policy was outlined in the Student Responsibility Agreement that all current students signed as part of the enrollment process. Students are dismissed from the Running Start program if they do not meet academic standards in three consecutive quarters. Our advising team works with students who do not meet academic standards to discuss barriers to success, connect students with campus resources, and provide other forms of academic support. 

Students are expected to know their academic status at the end of each quarter. Students can view their quarterly grades or unofficial transcripts through ctcLink. Grades generally post to transcripts 5-7 days after the quarter ends. Although grades in Canvas are unofficial, we recommend that students track their performance throughout the quarter and discussing their grades with their instructor as appropriate.  

We want Running Start to be a positive and productive experience for each student. We are here to support students in their transition to the college environment. 

Academic Standing Status

Good  Overall GPA above 2.0 and current term GPA above 2.0 
Level 1: Warning  Overall GPA falls below 2.0 OR term GPA is less than 2.0 
Level 2: Intervention  Overall GPA remains below 2.0 for a second consecutive quarter OR term GPA is less than 2.0 
Level 3: Probation   Overall GPA remains below 2.0 for the third consecutive quarter OR term GPA is less than 2.0

I Have an Academic Standing Block, What Do I Do?

  • Level 1: You are blocked from enrolling in next quarter’s courses until meeting with a Running Start advisor. 
      • To remove this block, you must do the following:
        • Follow the instructions in your GRC email to make an appointment with a Running Start advisor.
        • Complete the pre-meeting survey.
        • Attend the meeting.
        • After the meeting is over, you will need to submit some additional paperwork. Your hold will be removed after our office receives that paperwork. 
  • Level 2: You are blocked from enrolling in next quarter’s courses until meeting with a Running Start advisor.  
    • To remove this block, you must do the following:
      • Follow the instructions in your GRC email to make an appointment with a Running Start advisor.
      • Complete the pre-meeting survey.
      • Attend the meeting.
      • After the meeting is over, you will need to submit some additional paperwork. This paperwork does require a conversation with your high school counselor in order to confirm your remaining high school graduation requirements. Your hold will be removed after our office receives that paperwork. 
  • Level 3: You are blocked from enrolling in next quarter’s courses. You are also dismissed from Running Start for one quarter. If you would like to return to Running Start after your break, you must:
    • Follow the instructions in your GRC email to make an appointment with a Running Start advisor
      • You will need to complete the dismissal reinstatement form and upload that form via the Document Upload Tool.
      • You will need to schedule an appointment with a Running Start administrator and agree to specific check-in appointments throughout the quarter.
    • Students who miss any of their check-in meetings will be withdrawn from their classes and must return to the high school for the academic year.
    • Students who return to Running Start from Probation start on Level 2. That means that students must meet academic standards in the quarter that they return to Running Start or risk being dismissed again. 

Future Financial Aid Considerations

Financial aid eligibility at Green River or other institutions will be affected by a student's academic performance in Running Start.

  • Eligibility for financial aid is based on making Satisfactory Academic Progress. A student’s academic record during Running Start will impact whether that student is eligible for financial aid at Green River. 
  • More broadly, students are typically eligible for financial aid for 150% of a program’s length. That means that students have three years of full-time attendance to complete an associate degree or six years to complete a bachelor’s degree and access financial aid. Time in Running Start counts toward these totals. 
  • Academic progress policies vary from institution to institution; protect your transcript by completing all attempted credits. See a Running Start advisor for questions.