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Rochester Community and Technical College Veteran's Services
RCTC’s community is dedicated to providing services and information to support Veteran’s and their families’ educational goals. RCTC welcomes all Veterans, including those returning from active duty. The following resources are identified to support Veterans and their families to successfully accomplish their educational goals.
NEW:
Higher Education Veterans Programs
Getting Started
RCTC works with Veterans during the admission process to successfully enroll. Follow these steps to become a Yellowjacket:
- Apply for admission
- Submit any official military, college and high school transcripts/GED.
- Apply for benefits (see “Applying for Benefits” tab below).
- Apply for financial aid
- Complete STAR orientation (Information mailed with acceptance letter).
- Register!
- Verify enrollment with college certifying official (See Contact Information below).
Tuition Costs
Your tuition rate is established based upon your state of residency primarily. Learn more about your assigned tuition rate. Courses in the Advanced Technology Programs have a slightly higher tuition rate, as do courses taken as Independent Study. See the complete list of tuition rates. In addition to a tuition charge for each credit, there are related fees.
College and City Information
Learn more about why our college and community are a world-class place to get your education.
Applying for VA ED Benefits
After Applying for RCTC, Services members go to www.gibill.va.gov. Complete a VA online application (VONAP). If you are unsure of which chapter of VA ED, see description below of the different chapters of Educational Benefits or ask campus VA ED advisor.
- Chapter 30 - Former Active Duty
- Chapter 31 – Vocational Rehabilitation
- Chapter 33- Post 9/11 on Active duty after 9/10/2001
- Chapter 35 - Survivor/Dependent
- Chapter 1606 – Guard/Reserve
- Federal Tuition Assistance information –Appointments should be made with Veterans Coordinator (See Contact Infromation below).
- Chapter 1607 – Guard/Reserve (Activated after 9/11/2001)
- Initial processing for your VA ED benefits application may take up to 10-12 weeks.
- Your enrollment will be certified after contacting the Certifying Officials of your registration.
- The VA determines your benefit level based on your enrollment
Your Responsibilities
In order to prevent delays in receiving your benefits, it will be necessary for you to comply with the following:
- Follow courses that are within your major. If you change your major inform the VA Certifying official
- Report your registration, changes, or withdrawals to RCTC VA Certifying Officials.
- Monthly verify your attendance to the VA on the WAVE, (presently CH 33 is exempt from monthly verification) WAVE call in number 1-877-823-2378, or set up a WAVE account at www.gibill.va.gov.
- Any questions or concerns please contact the Regional Coordinator, RCTC VA certifying official or VA online at www.gibill.va.gov (use Ask a question) or call the VA at 1-888-442-4551.
- Veterans may have their tuition deferred until receiving their VA ED benefits
- Book deferments are available for all veteran's receiving VA Ed benefits
REGIONAL COORDINATORS OFFICE
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Higher Education Veterans Programs for Southeastern Minnesota makes its home office at RCTC. This office is available to provide veterans and current military members, as well as their families, with information regarding benefits, veteran’s employment help, family assistance, and transition issues.
Call 507-529-6142 or e-mail Tony.Tengwall@rctc.edu EA 115 (office)
VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER
RCTC offers student veterans an on-campus place to gather for support, share information, and socialize. Being staffed by student veterans, the resource center provides a friendly environment for veterans, current military members, and their families.
The RCTC Foundation offers a variety of scholarships to incoming, returning, and graduating students. Scholarships for incoming students are for those that are just beginning their course of studies at RCTC. Returning students scholarships are for current students who are continuing their education at RCTC. Graduating scholarships are for students who have completed their course of study and will graduate from an RCTC and continue their education elsewhere.
Related Resources
GI Bill
- Verify Enrollment - WAVE or 1-877-823-2378
- Case Manager - 1-888-GIBILL-1 or 1-888-442-4551
- Questions about inaccurate payments- www.gibill.va.gov. Select "Ask a Question"
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship:
Post 9/11/2001 Service members who died in the line of duty Children's VA ED benefit.Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund
Transcripts:
Army transcript request
Navy/Marine transcript request
Air Force transcript request
Contact Information
Tony Tengwall- MNDVA Regional Coordinator EA 109, ph 507-529-6142 e-mail: Tony.Tengwall@rctc.edu
Glen Saponari- RCTC VA certifying Official, SS 134, ph 507-280-5511 e-mail: glen.saponari@rctc.edu
Greg Wright- RCTC Counselor- Military Credit transfer, EA 141, ph 507-280-3518, e-mail: gregory.wright@rctc.edu
Betty Rouse- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Chapter 31), ph 612-970-5463, email betty.rouse@va.gov
Updated: April 16, 2013
