Financial Aid

Welcome to the Financial Aid Department

Our Financial Aid team is here to support you in overcoming financial barriers and unlocking opportunities.

Learn about accessing available federal, state and institutional grants, scholarships, work-study, student loans and other fund sources.

What is a priority date?

Financial Aid Priority Date: Students who complete the  FAFSA/WASFA and submit all requested documents no later than the Priority Date will be eligible for a Tuition Deferred – Possible FA Hold until Financial Aid eligibility is determined. The tuition deferred hold protects students from being dropped for non-payment while the student’s financial aid is under review. 

When is the priority date?

2025–2026 Academic Year

• Summer quarter 2025: no priority date, first-come-first-serve
• Fall quarter 2025: August 25, 2025
• Winter quarter 2026: December 8, 2025
• Spring quarter 2026: March 9, 2026

Can I complete my file after the priority date?

Students are encouraged to complete their file as soon as possible, however, FASFA/WASFA and required documents may be submitted throughout the Academic Year. Files completed after the published Financial Aid Priority Date will still be reviewed, but determination of financial aid eligibility will be delayed. Files are processed in the order they are received, and review typically takes 4–6 weeks. After the quarter’s priority date, a tuition deferred hold will be placed on a student account once funding has been determined.

• 2024–25 FAFSA FAQs - YouTube

What is File Complete?

Students submit FAFSA/WASFA and all required documents to review financial aid eligibility and/or status determination before or after the quarter begins and has a Tuition Deferred on student portal. Completed files are reviewed by priority date on a first-come-first-serve basis.

What is a Tuition Deferred?

Tuition Deferred is a service indicator placed on the student portal under “Holds” in the Task Tile in ctcLink. It protects courses from being dropped for non-payment while the student’s financial aid status is determined and/or eligible aid is applied to applicable tuition/fees.

Will my financial aid pay my tuition/fees?

Please note that having a completed file or Tuition Deferred service indicator doesn’t guarantee funding. Students are responsible for tuition/fees owed to the college if they are not eligible or have insufficient aid. We encourage students to contact the Financial Aid Office to seek understanding of their financial aid status and make an informed decision about their enrollment status at RTC.

How do I complete my file and check my status?

Students must access their ctcLink account portal under "Task" and "To Do" checklist to monitor statuses and maintain by submitting all necessary documents by the priority date. Students use their RTC student email or personal email on ctcLink account as preferred setting for communications.

How do I apply for financial aid?

1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) / Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA): Students must complete FAFSA or WASFA for the appropriate academic year, adding RTC (Federal school code: 014001). Once our department receives students' processed FAFSA/WASFA, students will receive notifications about the next step via preferred email and may be required to submit additional documentation/information by the Financial Aid Priority Date.
2. Admissions & Eligible Program Declaration: students must have current/active admission and declared a Financial Aid (Title IV) Approved Program pursuing at RTC to receive financial aid. Please contact RTC’s Academic & Career Advising for any questions you may have related to a program that you are interested in.
3. ctcLink Student Portal To Do List: student must monitor statuses and maintain by submitting all necessary documents by the priority date. Students use their RTC student email or personal email on ctcLink account as preferred setting for communications.

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Our team is available to walk our students and their families through every step of the financial aid process.
 
All financial aid programs have limited funding so students are encouraged to apply early and submit all required documentation by priority processing dates for maximum consideration. Please reach out, we are here to help!

The Financial Aid Department is in compliance with federal and state regulations.