Running Start to College

Support for Local Students
The Running Start to College Program helps Santa Cruz County seniors transition to college successfully.
All students accepted. First 2 years FREE.
No GPA requirements. No tests.
What's my first step?
Apply to Cabrillo College as a NEW to college student. Select summer or fall 2023
Check with your High School Counselor for workshops scheduled on your campus
Select a major that interests you - you can always change it later
Allow 72 hours for processing, you'll receive an email with your Cabrillo College Student ID#
ProTip: Check your SPAM folder - your Cabrillo Student ID# will be emailed to you from webreg@cabrillo.edu
First 2 years FREE! Apply for Financial Aid Submit your FAFSA or CA Dream Act application.




Running Start 2023 Key Dates
- October 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023Qualify for Early Registration
Apply to Cabrillo by March 31 to qualify for Early Registration.
Miss this date? No Worries! You will be assigned a later registration date.
- March 31, 2023DEADLINE: to Qualify for Early Registration
Apply to Cabrillo by March 31 to qualify for Early Registration.
Miss this date? Not a problem! your registration WILL open in mid-May. Registration is open all summer.
- April 3, 2023Schedule of Classes Posted
Start planning your schedule. Explore when and where your classes will be offered.
- April 10, 2023Registration Dates Posted
Check My Registration Date to see your calculated registration date. If you think your registration date is wrong, let us know. Submit this eForm to appeal.
- April 17, 2023DEADLINE: to appeal your calculated registration date
If you think your registration date is wrong, we want to know. Submit this eForm to appeal.
- May 4, 2023Registration Opens for students who earned an earlier date
Students who applied to Cabrillo by March 31, 2023.
Check My Registration Date to see the time your registration will open. Register anytime on or after this date. Registration is open all summer.
- May 4 & 9, 2023, Watsonville CenterSeaHawk Registration and Prep Days
Open to All! Join us at The Watsonville Center to register for classes, take a tour and explore student clubs
- May 5 & 10, 2023, Aptos CampusSeaHawk Registration and Prep Days
Open to All! Join us at on The Aptos Campus to register for classes, take a tour and explore student clubs
- May 17, 2023Registration open for ALL students
Students who applied to Cabrillo after March 31, 2023.
Check My Registration Date to see the time your registration will open. Register anytime on or after this date. Registration is open all summer.

Need help with your class schedule?
Need to clear a prerequisite?
Not sure what classes to take?
Academic Counselors can help you select courses and build your schedule during Virtual Express drop-in hours

The Welcome Center can help to identify problems and connect you to the right office to resolve the issue.
Are you having difficulty logging in?
Are you seeing a message in Student Planning that you have a hold on your record?

Admissions & Records can help you resolve any holds on your record:
residency
guardianship
AB540
...and anything else pertaining to your record

I've Applied, What's Next?
1. Log into MyCabrillo Self-Service Portal
User Name is your Cabrillo College 7-digit student ID number
Password is your birthdate in the this format: mmddyy or 050505
2. Use your personalized checklist to see tasks you need to complete
ProTip: If you've taken classes as a Dual Enrolled student, you may have already completed some or all of these tasks. That's great!
No need to repeat, ever.
Your next step is to connect with an Academic Counselor to review your record and create your education plan.

Register in Student Planning
Selected a section for each course that's on your plan? Then you're ready to go! When your registration opens, the registration button in Student Planning will turn blue; to register select the Register Now button. To be ready on the day your registration opens:
Required to register for in person classes - complete the COVID 19 Clearance process
Find the time that your registration will open
Log into Student Planning before your time
Register ANYTIME on or after your time
Once your registration is open, it remains open
No need to meet with anyone, unless you have a question or need help.
ProTip: if your first choices are full: add yourself to the section waitlist and/or have a couple backup sections ready to plug into your schedule.