In 1999, the Community College System introduced the Running Start program, a partnership enabling high school students to enroll in college courses at a significant reduction in tuition.  The courses are offered during the school day at high schools across the state, and in some high schools in Maine and Vermont.  College courses range from general studies to career-specific courses. 

Each high school faculty member who teaches a college course through Running Start is partnered with a community college faculty member, and meets or exceeds CCSNH faculty qualifications.  Many are also adjunct faculty at one of the colleges. 

The benefits to high school students, typically juniors and seniors, who take advantage of the opportunity to enroll in their first year of college courses while still in high school include:

• Gain experience in college-level work and expectations
• Earn transcripted college credit at a reduced tuition rate of only $100 per course. 
• Credits may be transferred to other two-year and four-year colleges across the country.

The following is a list of programs that receive course credits through Project Running Start .