School highlights

Expect More at RCTC !

• Rochester Community and Technical College was founded in 1915 on a motion by Dr. Charles Mayo to the Rochester School Board.
• Rochester is Minnesota’s oldest original community college and one of the nation’s oldest original community colleges. 
• The college serves approximately 8,200 students in credit-based courses and 3,000 students in noncredit courses.
• Rochester consistently lands near or at the top of the nation’s “Most Livable Cities” lists.
• Rochester is Minnesota’s third-largest city and home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic and IBM.
• The college offers more than 300 different online classes and 70 credit-based programs with more than 130 credential options in the areas of liberal arts, allied health, business, services and technical career pathways.
• Rochester Community and Technical College is part of a learning alliance with Winona State University. This long-term collaboration offers certificate programs through master’s degrees, all delivered on the Rochester campus.
• Visit Rochester Community and Technical College on YouTube or facebook.com/MyRCTC.
• RCTC is consistently ranked nationally in many of its varsity athletic programs.  Men's athletics include football, baseball, basketball, golf and wrestling.  Women's athletics include basketball, golf, soccer, softball and volleyball.

Admissions

Admissions requirements

Expect Opportunity at RCTC !  Rochester Community and Technical College is an open door institution, which means all applicants who have earned a high school diploma or GED will be admitted.  Applicants who do not meet this criteria may still be admitted.  Contact our Welcome Center at 507.285.7557 for more information.

Lack of English skills should not be a barrier to admission or participation.  In order to eliminate barriers, RCTC takes appropriate measures to assess each student's ability to participate and benefit through placement testing and counseling.  Based on the placement testing and counseling, students are then provided with campus services or a referral to community services to be better prepared for successful participation.

Tuition & finance

Tuition and Fees (2012-2013): $5,609

FAFSA Code: 002373

How to apply for financial aid

Your key to receiving financial aid to help pay your college costs is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA form. Many students don’t realize they could qualify for grant money and federally guaranteed loans, so be sure to find out by filling out the form.

Complete the FAFSA after Jan. 1 of your senior year. Find the form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or pick up the form at your school counselor’s office. For help with completing the form, go to your high school counselor or the financial aid office at the college or university you plan to attend.

The FAFSA determines your eligibility for one or more of the following types of financial aid:

Scholarships
Scholarships are a great source of aid, and you do not need to pay them back. Many scholarships are available for students with special interests and backgrounds. Talk to your guidance counselor about what kind of scholarships you can get.

Grants
You may be eligible to receive federal and state grants of $300 to more than $7,000 per year. You do not need to pay these back.

Work study
Work study programs give you the opportunity to work on campus or with approved off-campus employers to earn money to pay for college. Work study jobs are often very flexible, allowing you to work around your classes and personal schedules.