This information is stored on our website and available to you 24/7. Bookmark the Beehive Blog and visit it often to find all the Beehives and other helpful information.
Check out the following links for important RCTC information:
Jump Starts for Students
Student Printing
Health Services
Money Management Tips
JUMP STARTS FOR STUDENTS
Your vehicle won’t start? Campus Safety will help for FREE! Just call 507-280-5050. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Campus Safety at 507-280-5050 or email us at security@rctc.edu.
STUDENT PRINTING
RCTC implemented student print accounting to promote Green conservation, help control rising printing costs, and aid in keeping student technology fees down. The following information represents RCTC’s student printing guidelines.
RCTC students will receive 500 sheets/credits of paper into their print accounts at the start of each semester which can be used for either single sided or double sided (duplex) black laser printing.
Currently the Library Technology Center (LTC), located on the third floor of the library, and the Comprehensive Learning Center (AT 306), support duplex printing. RCTC is continually expanding duplex printing services throughout campus and will keep updated changes on the RCTC Student Printing webpage.
Each student that logs on to a campus computer will be able to track their print account current balance through the print management dialog box.
For frequently asked questions and additional details, visit the Student Printing website.
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
At RCTC Student Health Services, we assist current students with their physical and mental health needs. Registered nurse, nurse practitioner, and licensed mental health therapy services are available. Services we offer on campus include:
- Assessment and treatment of minor acute illness*
- *Note: In-person assessment of any symptom that may be related to COVID-19 are not available at this time. If you have any of these COVID-19 symptoms, please contact your regular healthcare provider to get tested. You may call 507-285-7261 to arrange a phone call with the nurse to review your symptoms.
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- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
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- Physical exams or health assessments for sports or academic programs
- Mental health evaluation and therapy
- Blood pressure screening
- TB (tuberculosis) skin tests
- Lab tests for strep throat, urinary tract infection, pregnancy, blood sugar, cholesterol, and mononucleosis are also available.
- Band-Aids, condoms, and a variety of over-the-counter medications for colds, pain, and stomach problems
Student Health Services is funded by the Health Service fee included in the tuition statement, so there is no additional fee for most of the services. Mental health therapy visits can be billed to a student’s health insurance, but students are not denied service if they uninsured or if they are unable/unwilling to use their health insurance.
Appointments are required for all visits – no drop-in visits are allowed at this time. Please schedule all appointments by logging into the Student Health Portal at MyHealth.rctc.edu If you have questions, please call us at 507-285-7261.
RCTC Student Health Services is located at HS140 in the Health Sciences building.
Note: RCTC Student Health Services does not give excuses or notes for missing class or practice. It is the student’s responsibility to notify his/her instructor or coach if class or practice must be missed.
MONEY MANAGEMENT TIPS
As you begin college, this is the perfect time to learn important skills that will help you manage your money now and in the future. Money management skills and good practices are needed no matter how much or how little you have. It is never too early to start learning about money and budgets. The following information will cover a variety of money management topics, including budgeting, credit cards and credit rating, debt management, how to identify financial troubles and finding resources to help.
Monthly Budgeting in College
- Keep track of what you earn and what you spend. Create a monthly budget and track to see if it is accurate.
- Be aware of when you are buying to fulfill a need such as food, compared to a want such as the latest iPhone. Skip purchasing some wanted items to show you can do it.
- Find ways to cut costs: Use a bicycle, get a roommate, learn to cook and buy used books.
- Get organized: Establish a monthly bill-payment routine and set up a filing system.
- Track your bank account. Be careful with your debit card – don’t go in the red.
Credit Card Tips
- Keeping debt at bay is the #1 ingredient for financial success. Start now!
- Realize that the spending patterns you set today will have an impact on the rest of your life.
- Don’t have more than one.
- Read all the fine print of a credit card offer, including interest rate information and when the rate can increase, amount of late fees, over-the-limit fees, balance transfer fees, etc.
- Try to pay off the entire balance each month to avoid unnecessary interest. Always pay more than the minimum due.
- Calculate the annual amount of interest you are paying; multiply the interest rate by the total balance owed.
- Avoid penalties and fees as they can add up quickly.
- Always keep your balance at least one-third below your credit limit in case of emergency.
Types of Debt
How you repay debt determines your credit rating, so knowing about the types of debt is important.
Installment loans are for big-ticket items such as cars or homes. Installment loans are paid in monthly fixed amounts and are normally secured (i.e. backed by something of value, such as a car). Payments should be manageable in your budget. Make payments on time as this will help improve your credit rating.
Credit Cards and department store cards are revolving credit lines. Credit cards are heavily marketed and the terms often look better than they really are: Proceed with caution! Credits cards have a monthly payment that varies based upon total amount owed. Poor handling of credit cards can quickly hurt your credit rating.
Student loans are unsecured installment loans. Explore all your financial aid options, focusing first on scholarships and grants that don’t have to be repaid. Borrow only the amount you need to get through college. You will be happy to have a lower student loan payment when you begin your career and want to buy a home and a car. Be realistic about what your salary will be after graduation and estimate the amount of debt you can afford. Ideally, student loan payments should be 10 percent or less of your net monthly income. Total debt, including your mortgage payment, should not exceed 30 percent of your gross income.
Your Credit Rating
A credit score is based on many types of information in a credit file. Lenders use a credit score to help determine whether a person qualifies for a credit card, loan, or service. Generally, the higher the score, the less risk the person represents.
- A good credit history can mean lower interest rates, a job offer or a decent apartment.
- A bad credit history will stay on your record for years and will make obtaining a mortgage or car loan very difficult.
- Be aware of what’s in your credit report. You can get your credit report free once a year from www.annualcreditreport.com.
- Making student loan payments on time is often the first step in establishing a good credit history and will likely help you when applying for a car loan or home mortgage down the road.
- Paying your rent, utility bills and credit card bills on time is important as they are also considered part of your credit history.
- Your credit report includes your name, current and past addresses and employment, and all credit (debt) you have, including the current outstanding balance and whether you’ve ever been late for a payment. The report also lists any companies that have made credit inquiries.
- Review all of the information on your credit report and challenge any information that you believe is inaccurate.
In Financial Trouble?
Here are questions to determine if you have too much debt:
- Do you have trouble paying your bills on time?
- Do you only make the minimum payments on your credit card?
- Are you near to the maximum on your credit card limit?
- Do you worry about money all the time?
- Have you ever needed to borrow money to pay your bills?
- Are creditors calling you?
Seek Help
If you answered yes to any of the preceding questions, it is important to seek help. Visit the websites listed below. Before deciding if a financial planner is right for you, do your research. Talk with trusted family and friends to find a financial planner. Consider a non-profit financial counseling service such as www.cccs.org.
Tax Related Benefits
- File Your Taxes for Free: You can file your taxes for free online through the IRS website if your income is less than $57,000 at irs.gov/individuals/students/index.html
- Earn a Tax Credit: Some college students also benefit from two federal tax credit programs, the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit. These may apply to you or your family, depending on your financial circumstances. For more information visit the IRS website at: irs.gov/faqs/.
- Tax Benefits for Higher Education: You may be able to claim a tuition deduction of up to $4,000 of qualified education expenses paid during the year for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent. You cannot claim this deduction if your filing status is married filing separately or if another person can claim an exemption for you as a dependent on his or her tax return. The qualified expenses must be for higher education. You may also be able to deduct interest you pay on a qualified student loan. And, if your student loan is canceled, you may not have to include any amount in income. For more information visit the IRS website at: irs.gov/publications/p970/index.html.
Further Information, Interactive Tools and More
For additional information, interactive tools, budget calculators, sample plans, and more, visit the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Finance Plan website at: www.gpslifeplan.org/finance. The Finance Plan website will help you learn about general budgeting practices and help you assess your specific situation. The more you know about both, the better you can manage your money. No one will care about your financial situation more than you so it is important that you take control and take action.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, September 22, 2021, Art with an RCTC Instructor in the Compassion Corner
Tuesday, September 28, 2021, U of MN-Rochester Visit
Thursday, September 30, 2021, Student Senate Meeting
Tuesday, October 5, 2021, Meditation in the Compassion Corner
Thursday, October 7, 2021, U of WI-La Crosse Visit
Thursday, October 14, 2021, Student Senate Meeting
Tuesday, October 19, 2021, U of MN-Rochester Visit and Upper Iowa University Visit
Thursday, October 28, 2021, Student Senate Meeting
Tuesday, November 2, 2021, Meditation in the Compassion Corner
Tuesday, November 9, 2021, U of MN-Rochester Visit and U of WI-La Crosse Visit
Thursday, November 18, 2021, Student Senate Meeting
Tuesday, November 30, 2021, U of MN-Rochester Visit
Thursday, December 2, 2021, Student Senate Meeting
Tuesday, December 7, U of MN-Rochester Visit, Meditation in the Compassion Corner
Thursday, December 16, 2021, Student Senate Meeting