Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) and the RCTC Foundation are proud to announce a Rochester couple has donated $130,000 to the RCTC Foundation to fund scholarships and aid academic programs over the next three years. While choosing to remain anonymous, the couple has shared their reasons for making a gift to RCTC, saying, “We have both benefitted from affordable higher education and are grateful to have RCTC continuing that important work.”
This generous gift includes $90,000 to create the Mildred Montag Scholarship fund. This scholarship honors Mildred Montag who championed the Associate Degree Nursing Program to alleviate a critical shortage of nursing following WWII. By creating a program that could be taught in two-year colleges, her work transformed nursing education.
The Mildred Montag scholarship fund will offer 10 $2,500 scholarships for qualifying students enrolled in the Practical Nursing (LPN), LPN Mobility, and Associate Degree (RN) Nursing programs for 2023-2024 academic year*. This scholarship will be renewable for a second year for students who continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
This gift is specifically intended to help make a college education more accessible and affordable for high-need students, especially those who have traditionally faced barriers to receiving an education such as immigrants, refugees, and single parents. The Mildred Montag Scholarship Fund will offer scholarships in the 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026 academic years.
Beyond the establishment of the Mildred Montag Scholarship fund, these anonymous benefactors have made additional gifts to the College including $25,000 to create a matching gifts fund for nursing scholarships, $10,000 to create the Miranda Fund to benefit theatre programs at RCTC, and $5,000 to support the RCTC HIVE Supply.
Interested students may begin applying for scholarships beginning on April 7, 2023. All applications must be completed via the online portal by May 15, 2023. The RCTC Foundation offers more than 300 scholarships valued at over $450,000. Students looking for assistance with applications have two opportunities to attend a virtual scholarship workshop with RCTC Foundation staff. The two sessions are on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, and Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 3:30 pm. Students can RSVP by emailing foundation@rctc.edu. Students needing additional help can talk to their advisors, drop in the RCTC Writing Center, or call the Foundation office at 507-281-7770.
Additional information about how to apply for scholarships can be found at www.rctc.edu/foundation/scholarships/apply-for-scholarships.
* Applicants must be incoming or returning students, enrolled in the Practical Nursing, LPN Mobility, or AD Nursing program with financial need, a 2.0 GPA, and be a resident of Minnesota
About Applying for Scholarships at RCTC Foundation: The RCTC Foundation is accepting scholarship applications for the 2023/2024 academic year from April 7-May 15. The RCTC Foundation is offering 300+ scholarships valued at more than $450,000 in this application window.
This year, the RCTC Foundation is offering 30+ new scholarships:
- 10 new scholarships for nursing students ($2500)
- 7 new scholarships for students in welding, automotive technician, carpentry and FAST
- 7 new scholarships to cover the cost of participating in RCTC Band or Choir
- 4 new scholarships for the automotive technician program
- 4 new scholarships for students who are employees of Kahler Hospitality Group (or their families)
- new scholarship for a first-generation student (donated by one of our young alumni)
- an $8000 scholarship for an outstanding incoming student from Century, Mayo or John Marshall (must be nominated by school staff)
The RCTC Foundation has scholarships for students on academic merit, financial need, by major, recognizing community service, participation in sports and activities, and in any academic discipline.
Students may apply online at rctc.edu/scholarships.