MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College's winter enrollment almost reached the record set last year.

Big Bend reported 1,656 full-time equivalent (FTE) students during winter quarter this year, five FTE students shy of last year's record.

The enrollment numbers come after enrollment at the college dropped by 9.6 percent fall quarter of last year compared to the previous year.

Sixty-eight percent of Big Bend students attend full time, taking 12 or more credits. The total student head count fell 46 students when compared to last winter, attributed to a reduction in part-time students.

The college reports 170 Running Start students enrolled this winter, the most in 10 years.

"More efficient scheduling and a willingness of faculty to accommodate additional students beyond capacity helped us with enrollment this winter," said Big Bend President Bill Bonaudi.