Early College Program Details
RS is open to public high school and charter school students who are academically accomplished or vocationally gifted. Running Start is a statewide program that provides the opportunity for students to enroll in University of Hawaii college and community college courses. The classes are offered on the college campuses. Students get credit in both high school and college.
The unique partnership between the Hawaii State Department of Education and the University of Hawaii System allows public and charter high school students to attend college classes during the fall, spring, and summer while earning both high school and college credits. Any public high school and charter school student considered to be eligible and meets campus admissions requirements within the state of Hawaiʻi who: is under the age of 21 as of September 1st of the school year in which the college course is taken.
Memorandum-of-Agreement (MOA)
Open to high school students at participating schools who wish to take college courses at their high school campus. Please contact your high school counselor in order to determine if your high school is participating, and how to get enrolled.
Tuition: All college expenses (tuition, books, lab fees, transportation, etc.) are the responsibility of the Early College student, however, some students may be eligible for various types of financial assistance. Students should inquire with their high school counselors to see if any financial assistance is available.
Open to public or private high school Juniors and Seniors who are academically, artistically, or vocationally accomplished. To enroll as an Early Admission student, you must meet all the following conditions:
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- be currently enrolled in high school
- be in good academic standing
- course requested is limited to classes not available at the high school
- have the high school’s approval
- have the maturity to engage in college-level content
- Request for Early Admission Form
Early Admit for Home Schooled Students
Academically, artistically, or vocationally accomplished homeschooled applicants, 14 years of age or older, and not currently enrolled in a public, private, charter, or independent high school may be considered for admission to Leeward Community College’s Home Schooled Early Admission Program. Because homeschool students do not have health clearances on record at a high school, they must also submit Health Clearance forms.
Open to public high school Seniors at participating schools who are interested in CTE programs. Students will spend their Senior year at Leeward CC as a full-time student in the CTE program of their choice.
Jump Start is a program that allows public high school seniors to enroll full-time in career and technical education programs at participating Community Colleges.
Students earn high school credit for college courses they successfully complete during their senior year. Students can also still participate in their high school co-curricular activities such as sports, clubs, band, prom, and special committees.
What is the purpose of the Jump Start program?
The Jump Start program has been established to provide career and technical education opportunities to high school students whose interests are not currently being served by their high school.
Jump Start students will enroll full-time (12 or more credits) per semester, in a program that leads to a CTE-related Associate’s degree or Certificate of Achievement and successfully complete one year of credits at the end of their high school senior year.
What are the advantages of participating in the Jump Start program?
The program offers dual credit to the participating high school students. For each community college course students successfully complete, students will earn high school credit toward graduation while working towards a college degree or certificate.
Scholarship Now Available Through Kalaeloa Partners, LP
Leeward Early College students may be eligible* to receive money for tuition and books—an estimated value of $500! All of our classes, including those online, are available to you through a scholarship from our community partner, Kalaeloa Partners, LP. Funds are available on a first come, first-served basis. Deadline to apply is May 3, 2024 for Summer and Fall 2024.
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements*
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- Must be a high school student enrolled in a Leeward Early College program, taking courses in any area of study at Leeward, including Wai‘anae Moku campus.
- Home-campused at Leeward.
- If already an Early College student, must have earned at least a “C” in a UHCC Early College course.
- Minimum high school GPA of 2.0.
- Resident of the State of Hawai‘i.
- Currently enrolled at one of the following high schools: Campbell, Kapolei, Nanakuli, Wai‘anae, Waipahu, or a public charter school serving Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Kapolei, Makakilo, Barbers Point, Nanakuli or Wai‘anae communities.
- Qualified students may receive funding to cover cost for a maximum of 12 credits.
- Funded courses cannot replace any Early College course offered by the student’s campus.
- Applications for Summer and Fall 2024 will not be accepted after May 3.
Early College Program Contacts
Early College Counselors
Aiea, Campbell, Mililani, Leilehua, Radford Running Start, HTA, Early Admit/Running Start
Kenisha Strong-Ruiz
kmstrong@hawaii.edu
(808) 455-0293
Kamaile, Kapolei Charter, Wai’anae
Christopher Pokipala
(Lead Counselor, Wai‘anae Moku campus)
cp2@hawaii.edu
(808) 454-4706
Leilehua
Nicole Keim-Fortuno
keim@hawaii.edu
(808) 455-0432
Nanakuli
Leon Florendo
leonflor@hawaii.edu
(808) 454-0707
Pearl City, Waipahu, Waialua
Syreeta Washington
(Lead Counselor, Pu‘uloa campus)
syreetaw@hawaii.edu
(808) 455-0221
Early College Administration
Early College Coordinator, Castle AMT
Brandon Carlos
bcarlos@hawaii.edu
(808) 455-0202
Admissions and Records
Sheryl Higa
leeapply@hawaii.edu
Admissions: (808) 455-0642
Records: (808) 455-0645
All Early College Programs
| PROGRAM | WHO IS ELIGIBLE? | CREDITS EARNED | REQUIREMENTS | APPLY EACH TERM? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Admit | Public or private high school Juniors and Seniors | College only | UH System Application Request for Early Admission Form Statement from HS Permission statement from parent/legal guardian Official HS transcript Health Clearances (TB/MMR) |
Yes |
| Student Fees | Homeschooled Juniors and Seniors |
College only | UH System Application Request for Home Schooled Early Admission Form State of HI DOE Exceptions to Compulsory Education Form (4140) Official SAT (510) or ACT (24) scores Personal Statement Health Clearances (TB/MMR) |
Yes |
| Jump Start | Seniors interested in Career and Technical (CTE) programs at participating schools that have an agreement with Leeward CC; Students wanting to spend their senior year at Leeward CC as full-time students in a CTE program | College only | UH System Application Jump Start Enrollment Form Jump Start Commitment Form Jump Start Teacher Recommendation Form Health Clearances (TB/MMR) |
No |
| Running Start | Public high school and charter school student | High school and college | UH System Application Running Start Application |
Yes |
| Special Agreements | Public or private high school students grades 9 through 12 at participating schools; Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between participating high school and Leeward CC to offer college courses at the high school campus | High school and college | Early College MOA Application | Yes |