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Adult Learner FAQ's
- Its been a long time since I was in school...
- I already have a college degree...
- Are there special grants $$ for adult learners?
- Is Child Care available at RCTC?
- Do I have to take the Accuplacer test?
- Do I have to attend the New Student Orientation?
Its been a long time since I was in school...
Going back to school is a big step for many adults, and can be a difficult transition. RCTC offers many services to help students of all ages and skill levels succeed in college. Besides the Career Counseling Center and Academic Support Center, RCTC offers a drop in tutoring center as well as a writing center. These services give students the opportunity to get extra help to reach their goals. Read through the full-list of student services
RCTC's admission office has two ways to enroll into courses. You can either apply the college by filling out the General Application. Or, you can enroll at RCTC as a visiting student (any student who wishes to take less than 11 credits does not have to appy to the college). If you have attended any other colleges we will need the official transcript sent directly from the school to us. If the school is part of the MnSCU system, RCTC is able to pull those trancripts electronically.
If you are seeking a degree at RCTC, you should have official college transcripts sent directly to the RCTC Admissions & Records Office. Once your official college transcripts are received, we will do a transfer-credit evaluation and notify you by email when it is complete. Additionally, you should meet with an RCTC counselor through individual appointment or at a STAR session to review your evaluation and register for the remaining courses for your degree.
Also note that students who already hold a Bachelor's degree (or greater) will be very limited in financial aid eligibility.
Are there special grants for adult learners?
You'll want to know about the Alliss Grant. This grant provides payment of tuition for one course--up to five semester credits--and also covers the cost of required textbooks for that course.
To qualify, the selected course must be part of an Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree program. Grant recipients must be out of school for at least seven years. They may be first-time community college enrollees who graduated from high school at least seven years ago, or former college students who haven't been in college for seven years.
Recipients must not hold baccalaureate or higher degrees. They must be legal Minnesota residents; those with reciprocity status are not eligible. Students already receiving financial aid or subsidized credit are excluded from the program.
Is Child Care available at RCTC?
Yes! The Civic League Day Nursery's goal is to provide a warm, stimulating environment in which each child can learn and grow, and in which each child can build a positive self-image through his/her intellectual, social, emotional and physical development.
CLDN is located on the west side of RCTC's UCR (main) campus.
Call (507) 285-7232 for more information.
Do I have to take the new student assessment?
Click here to learn if you are exempt from new student testing at RCTC, and to learn more about the Accuplacer test. Some students who have been out of school for several years choose to take the test - even if they are exempt - to make sure that they've retained the skills needed to be successful.
Do I have to attend the New Student Orientation (STAR)?
All new students are required to complete a Student Advising and Registration (STAR) session. If you have not attended school for several years you may also sign up for a STAR to get information on college policy and other important information. At the STAR session you will complete the new student assessment test, Accuplacer if needed. Once you complete testing Counselors and Advisors will help you plan a schedule based on your educational goals. Students will be advised on courses, transfer programs, and other college services.
Updated: November 12, 2012
