Welcome to the RCTCWelcome to the RCTC

Parent Parent OrientationOrientation

For more information, visit us at www.rctc.edu

Parent Parent OrientationOrientation Overview of RCTCOverview of RCTC Important PoliciesImportant Policies Financial Aid and Scholarships Financial Aid and Scholarships Academic and Student Services Academic and Student Services Academic PlanningAcademic Planning

RCTC At-a-RCTC At-a-glanceglanceFounded in 1915Founded in 1915

Minnesota's oldest - and one of the nation's oldest - Minnesota's oldest - and one of the nation's oldest - original community collegesoriginal community colleges

More than 7,500 students in credit based programs More than 7,500 students in credit based programs Over 70 degree, certificate, and diploma optionsOver 70 degree, certificate, and diploma optionsStudent Activities including Student Activities including

Intercollegiate sports Intercollegiate sports Campus clubsCampus clubsStudent GovernmentStudent GovernmentFine arts programs Theater, Choir, and BandFine arts programs Theater, Choir, and Band

For more information, visit us at www.rctc.edu

PoliciesPoliciesPolicies can be found on our website at

www.rctc.edu/policies

PoliciesRegistration CancellationDrop WithdrawSatisfactory Academic ProgressFERPA

Students are responsible to know and

abide by all campus policies

Registration Cancellation “Drop

for Nonpayment”Upon registering for classes, students must have by the payment deadline

a $300 “safe harbor” deposit an approved deferment

For questions, visit http://www.rctc.eduSelect “Web Portal”, then “Payments” or

call (507) 285-7311

Approved deferments include:$300 Safe Harbor depositPayment plan or Financial Aid application on fileScholarship fundsVeterans benefitsPSEO studentInternational students on F-1 visas

If not, their REGISTRATION WILL BE

CANCELLED

The Difference between “Drop” and “Withdraw”

Must be done by the 5th business day of semester

Student will not be charged for the class

Course will not show up on the student’s transcript

Students drop courses via their web portal account or at the registration window

Drop dates for each semester can be found on the Web Portal page at http://www.rctc.edu/webportal/ under “Registration Windows”

“Dropping” a course

A student is still registered for the class after the 5th day but has decided not to complete the classStudent will receive a “W” on his or her transcriptStudent WILL NOT receive money back for that class

More information on the Web Portal page at www.rctc.edu/webportal

under “Course Drop” and “Course Withdrawal”

Withdraw means:

Partial refunds are given for total withdrawal from all classes based on date of withdrawal – see web portal page for dates

It is VERY important to consult with a counselor,

advisor, or financial aid staff member prior to withdrawing

Satisfactory Academic Progress

• A more detailed explanation of SAP can be found at www.rctc.edu/policies/student

under “Academic Satisfactory Progress”

• Students are encouraged to take advantage of the Academic and Student services available at RCTC to be successful

Each semester, students must: maintain a 2.0 GPA and

complete 67% of their courses

Failure to do so can lead to probation or suspension

FERPAFERPA stands for the

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Governs Student Data Practices

A Student’s information is protectedWithout written consent from the student,

we are prohibited by law to discuss a student’s record with a parent,

even if the parent is financing the student’s education

FERPA Release FormINFORMED CONSENT/AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE STUDENT INFORMATION

I,                                                                                    (Student ID #),                          _____hereby authorize Rochester Community and Technical College to release and/or orally discuss the education records described below about me to: (list complete names of parents or other persons you are authorizing - note that they may be asked for proof of their identity) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The specific records covered by this release are (select with checkmark):____ All____ Academic (grades and transcripts, academic standing, attendance, etc.)____ Accounts Receivable (itemized charges or credits)____ Financial Aid (eligibility, itemized charges, credits, and refunds)____ Registration (number of credit hours, add/drops)____ Other - please specify: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I understand that the student records information listed above includes information which is classified as private on me under Minn. Stat. § 13.32 and the Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. I understand that by signing this Informed Consent Form, I am authorizing Rochester Community and Technical College to release to the persons named above information which would otherwise be private and not accessible to them. I understand that, at my request, Rochester Community and Technical College must provide me with a copy of any written educational records it releases to the persons named above pursuant to this consent. I understand that I am not legally obligated to provide this information and that I may revoke this consent at any time. This consent expires after one year or until I withdraw my consent, whichever comes first. A photocopy of this authorization may be used in the same manner and with the same effect as the original documents.I am giving this consent freely and voluntarily and I understand the consequences of my giving this consent.Effective Date: (optional) ___________________________   Expiration Date: (optional) __________________________Signed: _______________________________________   Dated: ________________________________________Notary or College Staff/Date: ______________________________________________(notarized signature is required unless the signature is witnessed by college staff upon presentation of photo ID)

You can download and print a release form for your student or call the Records Office at (507) 285-7265

to have one mailed to you

At RCTC, we value your role as a parent and encourage you to

take part in your child’s education.

Please work with your child to sign a release form so we can answer any questions you may have

about their records

Financial Aid Financial Aid and and

ScholarshipsScholarships

Financial AidFinancial Aid

For more infromation visitFor more infromation visit

http://www.rctc.edu/financialaid/http://www.rctc.edu/financialaid/

or call (507) 285-7271or call (507) 285-7271

Based on eligibility, aid can be available through grants,work study, and/or loans

Students are required to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA,

to begin the process of applying for financial aid

Students must complete a new FAFSA for each year they wish to apply for Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to apply on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov

The application process can take weeks so APPLY EARLY!!

Financial Aid WebsiteFinancial Aid Website Welcome to Financial Aid!

Federal School Code: 002373

Financial Aid Information:The Financial Aid Process - How & When to ApplyApply now! (Link to U.S. Department of Education)Sources of Aid (Grants, Student Loans, Work Study, Scholarships) Loans for PARENTS of undergraduate studentsContact information and location of Financial Aid OfficeFinancial Aid Applicants:CHECK MY STATUSFORMS AND DOCUMENTSAward Letter NotificationDisbursement Information & Disbursement Dates

www.rctc.edu/financialaid

Students may also access their Financial Aid information through theirWeb Portal account

Web Portal account is set up during the student’s STAR orientation

(507) 281-7771

Or visit them at http://www.rctc.edu/foundation/

ScholarshipsScholarshipsAvailable through the RCTC

Foundation Office

Academic Academic & &

Student Student ServicesServices

RCTC ServicesRCTC Services

Student Support Services Program (SSSP)Student Support Services Program (SSSP)Tutoring – Drop in or On-LineTutoring – Drop in or On-Line

Disabilities ServicesDisabilities ServicesWriting CenterWriting Center

Health Services Health Services Student Life / AthleticsStudent Life / Athletics

Counseling and Advising CenterCounseling and Advising Center

www.rctc.edu/services

Student Support Services Student Support Services and & TRIO Programs and & TRIO Programs

The Student Support Services Program provides assistance in the The Student Support Services Program provides assistance in the following areas:following areas:

Advising and Transfer Planning - Academic Assistance - English Advising and Transfer Planning - Academic Assistance - English as a Second Language as a Second Language

Mathematics, Reading, Writing Skills - Study Skills Mathematics, Reading, Writing Skills - Study Skills Web based Career Exploration information - Peer Tutoring - Test Web based Career Exploration information - Peer Tutoring - Test

AccommodationsAccommodationsStudents may qualify for SSSP services under one or more

of the following three catagories: First Generation College Student

Low Income Status Documented Disability

For more information, call (507) 285-7230www.rctc.edu/student_support_center/

Disabled Student Disabled Student ServicesServices

http://www.rctc.edu/http://www.rctc.edu/student_support_center/student_support_center/

Mission: To provide academic support and advising services to assist qualified disabled persons in achieving their educational goals

Appropriate accommodations are provided to those qualified disabled persons.

To find out what accommodations you may qualify for, please contact

Disability Support Services at 507-280-2968

or through the Minnesota relay TTY 1-800-627-3529.

Writing CenterWriting CenterAT209AT209

http://www.roch.edu/org/writingcenterhttp://www.roch.edu/org/writingcenter//

Or call 285-7182 to make an Or call 285-7182 to make an appointment appointment

Master’s and Doctorate level writing specialists to assiststudents with all stages of the writing process

Also have Reading, EAP/ESL specialists and Writing Peer Coaches

Give students the tools to become better writers for ANY class, not just English

Health ServicesHealth Services

http://www.rctc.edu/services/http://www.rctc.edu/services/health health

or call (285-7261)or call (285-7261)

Immunization Requirements Health Forms - Health Insurance Information for Domestic Students

Meningococcal Disease Information RCTC Policy on Drug and Alcohol Use

Depression, Anxiety, and Alcohol Screening Campus and Community Resource Guide for:

Alcohol and Other Drug Addictions - Anxiety Disorders Depression - Eating Disorders

Go Ask Alice! (Health Questions & Answers)

Free confidential services for students covered by their student services fee

(some lab test costs may apply)

Some of their services include:

Student Life Student Life 44thth Floor – College Center Floor – College Center

http://www.rctc.edu/studentlifhttp://www.rctc.edu/studentlife/e/

Or call Or call (507) 285-7204(507) 285-7204

Clubs & organizations,Intercollegiate and intramural athletics

Student government Fine Arts and Theater

And more!

Academic AdvisingAcademic Advising

Academic advisors and counselors are Academic advisors and counselors are available to assist students each available to assist students each semester with course selectionsemester with course selection

For a list of advisors by career major areas, visithttp://www.rctc.edu/counseling_career_center/

and selectAdvising / Program Advisors or

call (507) 285-7260

Students should meet with their advisor or counselor early in the semester prior to registering for the next semester

Counseling and Career Counseling and Career CenterCenter

Career InformationCareer InformationPersonal CounselingPersonal CounselingAcademic PlanningAcademic Planning

Transferring to and from Transferring to and from RCTCRCTC

http://www.rctc.edu/counseling_career_center/

To meet with a counselor,Call 285-7260 for an appointment

Becoming an Becoming an RCTC StudentRCTC Student

The Registration The Registration ProcessProcess

Fill out an application form; pay application feeFill out an application form; pay application fee Send in High School transcripts and other Send in High School transcripts and other

college transcripts if transferringcollege transcripts if transferring Take the Placement TestTake the Placement Test Attend STAR Student Advising/Registration Attend STAR Student Advising/Registration

sessionsession

More information on enrolling can be found at www.rctc.edu/admissions

STAR Advising session:STAR Advising session:

Access RCTC Policies and ServicesAccess RCTC Policies and Services How to log in to their web portal How to log in to their web portal

accountaccount– Check gradesCheck grades– View tuition billView tuition bill– View financial aid informationView financial aid information– Register for classesRegister for classes

Thank youThank you

For more information on RCTC, For more information on RCTC,

Please call (507) 285-7210Please call (507) 285-7210

or 1-800-247-1296 or or 1-800-247-1296 or

visit us at www.rctc.eduvisit us at www.rctc.edu