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There are myriad reasons for students to begin earning college credits while in high school. First is the cost of higher education, which can be reduced when students start college with some of their general coursework completed. The second is efficiency and motivation. Research shows that students who participate in dual enrollment courses during high school have higher-on-time completion rates in college than their peers and may be more likely to graduate college at least one semester early.

One of the most well-known programs for coursework is called Running Start. This program lets qualified high school students take first-year college courses in subjects like English, math, social and natural sciences, and humanities, which are then counted toward their college degree at participating schools. Running Start is currently offered in only a handful of states, and it may be offered under another name. For example, New Hampshire recently changed the title from Running Start to .

This article will explain what Running Start is, how it works, how to qualify, and where you can take Running Start classes.

Which States Offer Running Start?

Dual enrollment through the Running Start program is currently offered in five different states 鈥� Illinois, Indiana, Hawaii, Montana, and Washington. As mentioned, New Hampshire recently changed the name of its program to something new, and many other states offer their own dual enrollment programs under various names.

If you live in one of the Running Start states and want to have your or your dependent's high school courses count toward a two-year or four-year college degree, you'll want to have an understanding of the colleges and universities that accept credits from the program. This step is crucial when it comes to making your high school coursework count. It also matters since you'll apply for Running Start through a participating college in the first place.

Which Colleges Accept Running Start Credits?

The colleges that offer credit through Running Start are unique in each state. Read on for an overview of the process and a listing of some participating schools in each state.

Illinois

First offered in 2015, Running Start in Illinois is geared toward high school students who want to earn both high school credit and college credit at the same time. The state's specific program is available to highly qualified high school juniors with 3.2/4.0 cumulative GPAs. Other requirements can apply, and credits are designed to easily transfer to four-year institutions of higher education.

Illinois colleges that accept Running Start credits:

• Southern Illinois University - Carbondale & Edwardsville

• University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign

• Western Illinois University

• Southwestern Illinois College

Indiana

Indiana also boasts several colleges that accept Running Start credits from high school students, although requirements vary. The program is available for first-year and sophomore high school students at some institutions of higher education, although juniors and seniors may also be eligible if they don't belong to another college during the high school credit program.

Strong academics with a GPA of 3.3 or higher can help applicants get accepted into the program through various schools. A written letter from a high school principal or counselor may also be required.

Indiana colleges that accept Running Start credits:

• Franklin College

• Indiana University Indianapolis

Hawaii

Eligibility for Hawaii's Running Start program is centered around age and college admission requirements. For example, public and charter high school students are considered eligible if they meet requirements for campus admissions, attend an eligible school in the state, and are under the age of 21 (as of September 21st) during the year dual enrollment courses are taken.

Hawaii colleges that accept Running Start credits:

• Hawai驶i Community College (includes Hilo/Manono, K艒 Education Center, and P膩lamanui campuses)

• Honolulu Community College

• Kapi驶olani Community College

• Kaua驶i Community College

• Leeward Community College

• University of Hawai驶i at Hilo

• University of Hawai驶i Maui College

• University of Hawai驶i - West O驶ahu

• Windward Community College

Montana

Montana is another state that offers dual enrollment credits through the Running Start program at many of its schools. Running Start credits even work within the University of Montana's "Degree in 3" program, which aims to help students graduate with a bachelor's degree in less than four years (and preferably three years).

Eligibility for Montana Running Start programs varies by school and typically includes minimum academic requirements and college admission requirements. The program is usually available to juniors and seniors at Montana high schools, but you'll want to check individual school requirements to confirm.

Montana colleges that accept Running Start credits:

• Dawson Community College

• Flathead Community College

• Miles Community College

• Montana State University - Billings

• University of Montana

Washington

The Running Start program is well-established in the state of Washington, as evidenced by the number of public, four-year universities, community colleges, and technical colleges that participate. Eligible high school juniors and seniors can apply, although requirements vary by institution. Some Running Start credits available in Washington require travel to a local college campus, whereas others are offered online.

Washington colleges that accept Running Start credits:

• Bellevue College

• Central Washington University

• Columbia Basin College

• Eastern Washington University

• Highline College

• Lake Washington Institute of Technology

• Lower Columbia College

• Northwest Indian College

• Olympic College

• Pacific Lutheran University

• Peninsula College

• Skagit Valley College

• Spokane Community College

• Spokane Tribal College

• University of Washington (various campuses)

• Washington State University (multiple campuses)

• Western Washington University

• Whatcom Community College

Benefits of the Running Start Program

Benefits of the Running Start program can vary by student but center around saving time and money. Running Start credits are free for some students (depending on the school) and low-cost for others. Plus, participating students can earn both high school and college credit at the same time, thus doubling the outcome of their efforts. Similarly, some high schools and colleges partner together to help students earn their associate degree and high school diploma at the same time. 

We also mentioned how participation in dual enrollment programs can lead to higher levels of success in college, especially degree completion. Research completed by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education shows that nearly 45% of those seeking a bachelor's degree with dual credit graduated on time, compared to 32% of their peers who did not participate in dual enrollment. Students in dual enrollment programs were also around twice as likely to graduate college at least one semester early. Students in dual enrollment courses were also more likely to head straight to college directly after high school than their peers.

Strategies for Earning Dual Enrollment Credits

If you or your dependent are interested in dual enrollment through Running Start, please note that our published list of colleges accepting these credits is not exhaustive. The fact is, some colleges offer more information about the transfer credits they accept than other institutions. There are some schools that accept Running Start but do not have a dedicated page on their site sharing details. Other schools have programs that mirror Running Start but go by a different name, or they accept Running Start credits but offer only generic information about dual enrollment options online.

At the end of the day, this means you may need to reach out to the schools you're interested in in order to find out about eligibility for Running Start. You can do this by inquiring with a higher education institutions' financial aid office or with the high school you or your dependent attends.

Below are some other tips to help you get a "running start" toward a college degree: