Throughout your time with us, there will be tasks for you to complete. Completing them will keep your enrollment and, eventually, your graduation running smoothly. We encourage you to take it one step at a time, and as always, we are here to help.
Thank you for choosing DCTC!
To prepare for your first semester—and a successful academic journey—here is a list of things to do after you have been admitted to DCTC.
After you have been accepted to the college, there are things you will need to do before you can register for your first semester.
Check your admissions status here.
All new students must complete orientation online.
Log in to your Student D2L Brightspace account. Once logged in, click on the Dakota County Technical College Online Orientation course. This is found in the My DCTC Courses section. On the course home page, read the instructions and then click the "Begin Here" button.
At the end of Online Orientation, there will be a link to sign up for a registration session with an Academic Advisor. You must attend a registration session to receive your Access Code which allows you to register for classes.
This is a 45-minute registration session where you will work one-on-one with your advisor to register for classes. We recommend using a laptop/computer for the Registration Session. If you are using a mobile device, you will need to download the Zoom app to the device. Upon joining the Virtual Registration Session you will be placed in to a waiting room until the designated start time of your appointment.
In the time between registering for classes and the start of the semester, there are a few things you will need to do to get ready for class and have a successful first semester.
All official communication from faculty and staff will be emailed to your email account on file. Check or update your email in E-Services under Account Management, then Demographic Info. Financial Aid and Tuition Statements are found in E-Services.
If you have not yet done so, submit an immunization form. If this is not completed, you will not be able to register for your second semester. You should know your most recent date of Tetanus vaccination (within the last 10 years) and the date of your Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination. Students who have an exemption or are conscientious objectors should complete the paper form and have the form notarized.
Online courses (and many in-person classes) use D2L Brightspace.
Ready, Set, Go! is an optional event that will help you learn about campus resources, services, and how to prepare for your first semester.
For students receiving financial aid, you should check your aid status and, if using loans, review and request your loans. Students must accept loans, complete the federal Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note before loans will disburse.
For students who are paying their tuition in other ways (including Veteran's benefits), here's how to set up different forms of tuition payment.
After you know what classes you are taking, you can find and buy the books you need online through the DCTC Bookstore.
Watch these tutorials on navigating the bookstore's online ordering process:
Your Degree Audit Report (DARS) is available through E-Services about 12-14 business days from your date of acceptance. This report shows how any previous courses/credits have been applied to your academic program, including graduation requirements and general education. It also shows what program requirements you've met and what requirements you still need to meet.
The DARS can be viewed in E-Services by clicking on the “Academic Record” link on the left side of the screen, then click on “Degree Audit,” followed by the “Request Degree Audit” link.
After you've reviewed your Degree Audit Report, if you have questions about the transfer of your courses/credits, connect with your advisor to discuss transfer course/credit decisions.
DCTC has partnered with BankMobile to deliver overages and refunds. Visit the BankMobile website to select your refund preferences. Email business_office@dctc.edu for your code to activate your account.
Starfish provides you with a central location to connect to the people and services that can help you successfully complete your degree.
A student ID is not required but may be helpful. You will use your college ID to check out library books.
Your Faculty Advisor is your mentor and will guide you through your program. Faculty Advisors have worked in the industry, know the progression of classes, and provide deeper understanding of what you need for your future career. Your Faculty Advisor will help you register in future semesters. Your Faculty Advisor and their contact information is listed on the first page of your Degree Audit Report.
For success each semester, here are basic tasks to complete at suggested times. The time in which you complete the task may be different than what we list. It is important that you complete these steps every semester.
Often the first week is referred to as the Add/Drop period. Here are things that you should do during the first week of each semester.
During the first week of the semester, you have some ability to change your schedule. Each class's Add/Drop period is determined by the length of the course and when it starts. Students may add/drop full semester courses through the fifth day of the semester. You can check the last day to drop each course in your E-Services account.
For more information on the add/drop process, visit Records and Registration.
Find the list of books that you need through the Online Bookstore. You will need to create an account with the bookstore. You will need to know your Tech ID when purchasing your books.
Students can use a Book Voucher to obtain books and supplies from Dakota County Technical College Bookstore by charging the cost to your student account. You must have a FAFSA on file to be able to use the Book Voucher.
Return textbooks from classes you have dropped. All textbooks are eligible for returns ONLY during the first nine business days of the semester.
To avoid being dropped from your courses on the fifth day of the semester, you can either pay your tuition balance in full or have an approved deferment on file.
Approved deferments:
Financial Aid Disbursement is the day that financial aid funds (Grants and Loans) are released into all DCTC student accounts.
You can view and manage your student account by logging into E-Services and clicking the Bills and Payments section on the left sidebar menu. In the Bills and Payments section you can:
Refunds/Overages occur when a student’s financial aid award is greater than the cost of their tuition and fees. You must set up an account with BankMobile to receive your refund/overage.
Starfish provides you with a central location to connect to the people and services that can help you successfully complete your degree. You may also receive messages from your faculty regarding progress in your courses.
Near the end of the first month make a list of all assignments and check with your instructor that you are not missing anything. Ask yourself:
If you answered "no" for any of these questions, it is time to ask for help.
There are various resources, support systems, and staff at DCTC that are available to assist you with your academic goals and progress. These resources are available at all points during your academic journey.
Not sure what kind of assistance you need? Reach out to your Academic Advisor, who can help you learn which resources may be beneficial to you at DCTC.
Your Degree Audit Report (DAR) shows what program requirements you've met and what requirements you still need to meet for graduation. It is important to check your DAR at registration time to review your degree progress and the courses you still need to complete.
Faculty Advisors will help you register for classes each semester and understand your progress towards graduation. As industry experts, your Faculty Advisor will help guide you through the program and provide deeper understanding of what you need for your future career.
There are various clubs, organizations, and activities on campus that you can be part of as a DCTC student. Joining student life can add skills to a resume and provide leadership opportunities. Explore Campus Life opportunities at DCTC.
There are various resources, support systems, and staff at DCTC that are available to assist you with your academic goals and progress. These resources are available at all points during your academic journey.
Not sure what kind of assistance you need? Reach out to your Academic Advisor, who can help you learn which resources may be beneficial to you at DCTC.
Withdrawing is the process of removing yourself from a class that you are not going to successfully pass. The last day to withdraw from a class is at the 80% point for the individual class. You can check the last date to withdraw for each of your courses in your e-Services account. You are still responsible for the cost of the course and a W will be placed on your transcript for that course. Withdrawing can impact financial aid, your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), Military or Veteran's Benefits. It also effects PSEO, F1 students, and Athletes' statuses. Check with your Academic Advisor to see if this is the best option for you.
Don't wait until the night before or the week of to start becoming familiar with the final project or exam for your course. You can find this information in your course syllabus. Review test preparation tips.
If you rented a textbook from the DCTC Bookstore, visit the Rental Return webpage for more information.
If you purchased a textbook from the DCTC Bookstore and would like to see if the textbook can be bought back, visit the Book Buyback webpage for more information.
You can check your posted final grades in three areas within e-Services. Log into e-Services with your Star ID and Password. Go to Academic Records.
This is also where you can find the grade report to submit for tuition reimbursement needs. If you need to request a copy of your official transcript, please visit the National Student Clearinghouse.
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