Running Start Program

Flathead Valley Community College

What is Running Start?

The Running Start program provides eligible high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to get an affordable start on their education by earning college credits while still in high school.

The first six credits are offered at no cost for Montana students, and subsequent courses are offered at a significantly reduced cost. Some courses offer dual credit opportunities which allow students to gain high school and college credit simultaneously.

Why Choose Running Start?

  • Significantly reduce the cost of a college education.

  • Experience college education while in high school, easing the transition to future education and career opportunities.

  • Decrease the time it takes to complete a college degree.

Upcoming Registration Dates

Spring 2022
Registration begins November 15, 2021
Full Semester courses: January 18, 2022 – May 12, 2022
Second 8-week session: March 10, 2022 – May 6, 2022

Summer 2022
Registration begins March 1, 2022
Session A: May 23, 2022 – June 24, 2022
Session B: June 27, 2022 – July 29, 2022
Full Semester courses: May 23, 2022 – July 29, 2022

Please refer to the FVCC Academic Calendar for additional institutional important dates.

Classes

As a Running Start student, you’ll be considered a college student, and will be expected to perform the same level of work and participate in the classroom just as other college students.

Check out the FVCC course schedules. Courses numbered 100 and above are eligible for the program. Your high school counselor can advise you on course applicability and credit equivalency. At the end of each semester, FVCC will mail your grades to your high school.

Tuition & Fee Rates

The first six credits are offered at no cost for all Montana residents, and subsequent courses are offered at a significantly reduced cost. Some courses offer dual credit opportunities which allow students to gain high school and college credit simultaneously.

Once students have taken their 6 free Running Start credits, subsequent credits are charged at 50% of in-district tuition costs, based on the Tuition and Fee Schedule.

Academic Requirements

The grades you receive for your Running Start courses will become part of your college transcript. When applying to other colleges, you must list FVCC as a college you’ve attended and request FVCC to send an official transcript of your grades as part of the college application process.

Contact

See Mr. Quinlan for more details, or you may contact the Running Start Director below:

Elizabeth Romain
Program Director, Running Start
Phone: (406) 756-3923
Cell: (406) 686-3960
email: eromain@fvcc.edu