Running Start
Get ahead on your college experience while in high school and ease the transition to future education and career opportunities! FVCC’s 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 tuition FREE for Montana students, and subsequent courses are offered at 50% of in-district tuition costs. Courses numbered 100 and above are eligible for Running Start.
Steps to Apply to Running Start
Homeschool students must submit a high school transcript and proof of two MMR immunizations if taking 6 or more credits
Visit Placement Testing for more information. Your application for admissions must be submitted and processed prior to taking placement tests.
All Running Start students must take the reading and writing placement tests available online. If you’re interested in registering for a math or chemistry class, you also need to take the math and/or chemistry placement tests. If you have taken the ACT test, you may not be required to take the placement test.
After completing your placement tests, email us at runningstart@fvcc.edu to arrange a time to meet with a FVCC Running Start advisor to discuss course options and finalize paperwork.
Make sure to seek advice from your high school counselor regarding course applicability and high school credit equivalency.
Complete the Running Start Registration Form and return it to your Running Start advisor.
Complete an Information Release Authorization form and return it to the Admissions Office.
Running Start has propelled me to be able to start at a university sooner and given me some opportunities I wouldn't have had. I hope to be an astronaut. I'm headed to the UCF to study aerospace engineering and minor in dance.
Payton Kallenberger
Associate of Arts and Associate of Science
I started with a Running Start class my senior year at Columbia Falls High School—just the intro to welding course. I loved it. My brother’s an ironworker in Spokane, and I used to weld with him in our dad’s garage. That’s where it really clicked for me. I followed that interest here to FVCC and just finished the program.
Haily Mundel
Welding Student, Class of 2025
Summer 2025 - Registration begins March 3, 2025
| Category | Session A: 1st 5 weeks | Session B: 2nd 5 weeks | Full Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session Dates | May 27-June 27 | June 30-July 31 | May 27-July 31 |
| End of 100% refund and last day to drop without a “W” grade | June 3 | July 8 | June 10 |
| Last day to withdraw from classes with a “W” grade or request/rescind an audit grade | June 19 | July 24 | July 15 |
Fall 2025 - Registration begins May 7, 2025
| Category | Session A: 1st 8 weeks | Session B: 2nd 8 weeks | Full Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session Dates | Aug 25 - Oct 15 | Oct 16 - Dec 5 | Aug 25 - Dec 12 |
| End of 100% refund and last day to drop without a “W” grade | Sept 2 | Oct 23 | Sept 15 |
| Last day to withdraw from classes with a “W” grade or request/rescind an audit grade | Oct 3 | Nov 24 | Nov 11 |
FAQ
Meet The Team
Email us with any questions or for more information.