Here are the steps you should follow to complete your enrollment at Rochester Community and Technical College. Remember, there are application and enrollment deadlines, so earlier is better!
- Apply to Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC)
- Activate your Star ID
- Complete Thrive in the Hive (Orientation)
- Course Placement
- Register for Classes
- Send Final, Official Copies of High School and College Transcripts
- Apply for Financial Aid
- Activate your Student email account
- Get a Student ID Card
- Pay tuition
- Buy Books
- Get Involved!
1. Apply to Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC)
We encourage you to apply for admission up to one full year prior to the semester you plan to enroll at RCTC. Early applicants get first priority for testing and registration. There is NO application fee at RCTC!
- FALL 2022 REGULAR APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 15, 2022
- FALL 2022 PSEO APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 8, 2022
NOTE: International Student Application deadlines are different than the deadlines stated above. Please refer to the International Student application page for more specific information.
2. Activate your Star ID
The StarID is a username with the goal of replacing your many login IDs with one ID, one password, everywhere. Once you activate it, you can use your StarID and password anywhere that accepts StarID. It is unique across the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, so you can use it at more than one school.
If you have problems activating or updating your StarID, please email onestop@rctc.edu.
3. Complete Thrive in the Hive (orientation)
All new students for fall 2022 must complete the new student Orientation course through D2L (Desire 2 Learn/Brightspace) called Thrive in the Hive. Admitted students are automatically enrolled in the course. Steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 must be completed prior to placement testing (if applicable) AND receiving an advising/registration appointment.
To access Thrive in the Hive, click on this link: D2L Login. If you cannot see the THRIVE IN THE HIVE banner, please contact the Welcome and One Stop Center at 507-285-7557 or email onestop@rctc.edu.
Students who need assistance with Thrive in the Hive can attend one of the below open labs at RCTC’s campus. Make sure to bring your star ID and password, as well as a photo ID. All open labs will be held in the Welcome and One Stop Center.
FALL 2022 THRIVE IN THE HIVE OPEN LAB DATES
| Friday, July 29, 2022 | 12 pm -3 pm |
| Tuesday, August 2, 2022 | 9 am-12 pm |
| Wednesday, August 3, 2022 | 1 pm-4 pm |
| Thursday, August 4, 2022 | 1 pm-6 pm |
| Monday, August 8, 2022 | 9 am-4 pm |
| Wednesday, August 10, 2022 | 3 pm-6 pm |
| Friday, August 12, 2022 | 9 am-1 pm |
| Monday, August 15, 2022 | 9 am-5 pm |
| Tuesday, August 16, 2022 | 9 am-5 pm |
| Wednesday, August 17, 2022 | 1 pm-6 pm |
4. Complete Course Placement Options
All new students need to be placed in the proper English, Reading, or Math courses. Please visit the Course Placement page for options.
5. Register for Classes
Following completion of steps #3 and #4 above, students will be directed to schedule a registration appointment with their Academic Advisor. This information will come to the student’s personal e-mail address.
6. Send Official Copies of your Educational Transcripts
Please send final, official copies of your high school transcript to RCTC. If you have attended any college, even if you withdrew, please also send the official copies directly from your school to us for your educational records at RCTC.
7. Apply for Financial Aid
Financial Aid is available to those students who qualify based on tax information from the previous year. As soon as you get your taxes done for the previous year, you should be applying for financial aid. You can apply online at www.studentaid.gov or visit the RCTC Financial Aid website at www.rctc.edu/financialaid.
8. Activate Student Email Account
Stop by Technology Support to activate your student email account. All official college communication is sent to your RCTC student email.
9. Get a Student ID Card
Stop by the RCTC Campus Safety with a copy of your class schedule and a government-issued ID to get your student ID card.
10. Pay Tuition
11. Buy Books
Once you’ve registered for your classes you can take your schedule to the bookstore and buy your textbooks, lab equipment, and other supplies, you may also go online and order your books and other supplies. You should always have your books and supplies before classes begin.
12. Get Involved!
Going to class is, well, the best way to ensure your own success in college. But class is only part of the college experience. Don’t bypass all of the other activities and opportunities you have to make your college years the best they can be! Be adventurous, get involved with Student Life!