Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The current RMCAD student body is 62% female and 38% male.

Approximately 74% of our students are from the state of Colorado. Of the 26% from out-of-state, the largest majority were from Texas, California, Wyoming and Minnesota.

The student/faculty ratio is 10:1. The average class size is 13 students.

When they're not putting time into art and design projects, many students work, and most spend time enjoying the culturaland recreational opportunities in Denver.

During the Fall 2010 term, enrollment was as follows: Animation (87), Art Education (55), Fine Arts (119), Game Art (23), Communications Design (132), Interior Design (90), Illustration (142), and undeclared majors (19).

22 years old.

Of the freshman class of 2004, 44% of those studying full-time received their BFA from RMCAD.

Many of our first-time students live at The Regency, about 10 minutes away from campus. They house RMCAD students as well as students attending Metro, CCD and CU-Denver. Other students live in a variety of nearby apartments.

684 as of Fall 2010.

We host an orientation at the beginning of each term that helps students get to know each other and become familiar with campus and our policies/procedures. For more information, visit our Orientation Page.

Your computer needs will vary by department. RMCAD's Gear Box program allows you to purchase everything you need - laptop, program-specific software, and additional hardware devices - at a substantial discount. See the Technology Page for details.

The campus is patrolled by professional security guards to ensure a safe and secure environment. The College also provides security lighting around campus, call boxes, and frequent presentations on personal safety. As indicated by our Campus Safety Report, we have very little crime.

Fairly easy within your first 30 credits (the typical freshman year).

Courses taken at a regionally accredited school, like RMCAD, are far more likely to be accepted as transfer courses than courses taken at a school that is not regionally accredited. For further information about transferring, visit our Transfer Overview page, then contact an Admissions Counselor to have your transcripts evaluated.

Tuition is due in full at the start of the term. Payment is due on the first day of the month in which classes start. So, for a new student enrolling in the fall 2011 term, you must have your RMCAD payment plan agreement in place, or tuition paid in full by August 1, 2011.

For a fee of $25/term, RMCAD offers a 4-month payment plan. So if you signed up in the fall, your tuition would be billed in four equal installments in September, October, November and December. Payments may be made by cash, check, or credit card. Please visit or call Student Accounts at 303.567.7285 to sign up.

If you've been awarded a RMCAD scholarship (merit and/or talent), the amount of that award will be deducted from your tuition billing statement(s). Other financial aid such as grants and loans will also be applied as credits to your account, but only if you've completed all of your financial aid paperwork well in advance of when your first bill is issued.

If you haven't completed your financial aid paperwork at the time tuition is due, your account may be subject to late fees and interest charges.

No. Generous scholarships are available through the Admissions Office, but most students still find themselves with a gap not covered by financial aid. You should apply early for both admissions and financial aid to determine your actual gap.

If you're enrolled in nine or more credits, you'll automatically be enrolled in the College-sponsored health insurance plan unless you have other coverage (e.g., on your parent's plan or your spouse's plan). If you are covered on another plan, you must submit a waiver form and a copy of your insurance card to David Bourassa, Director of Student Life.

Open and Print Waiver >>

If you don't submit a waiver and provide proof of coverage, student health insurance charges will appear on your fall and spring bill (coverage is for the entire academic year when the fall and spring charges are paid.) If you provide proof of coverage after the start of the term, you may receive a partial refund of the charges incurred.

No. RMCAD's tuition is all-inclusive. No additional fees are due other than late charges and/or service charges. You may, however, be assessed a materials fee for certain classes or fees related to use of campus printers.

No. Parking is free and on a first come, first served basis. If you park in the wrong location or do not display a valid parking hang tag on your rear view mirror or dashboard, however, you may receive a parking ticket. Parking violations left unpaid will eventually be assessed to your student account.

No, books and supplies are not included in your tuition charge. You can purchase everything you need in our campus Supply Store, at a Denver art supply store, or online.

Yes, pre-paid Supply Store accounts can be set up with the Student Accounts Coordinator (office on the 3rd floor of the Texas Building). You can open this account or add money to it at any time throughout the term.

No. However, Roots@RMCAD does take credit or debit cards in addition to cash. You can also purchase a punch card ($20 denomination) in the Supply Store.

Yes. If you're an on-ground student enrolled in nine or more credits, you'll automatically be enrolled in the College-sponsored plan unless you have other coverage (e.g., you're on your parent’s plan or your spouse’s plan). If you are covered on another plan, you must submit an online waiver form. Visit www.cirstudenthealth.com/rmcad to waive or enroll in the College-sponsored plan.

You must submit the waiver by the deadline each year to prevent automatic enrollment in the College-sponsored plan. We'ill send you a reminder about this via your RMCAD e-mail account each spring and summer.

RMCAD does not require online students to carry health insurance. Likewise, online students are not eligible for the College-sponsored health insurance plan.

For the 2010-2011 academic year, the yearly plan costs $1,924. There will be charges ($962 each) included on your fall and spring tuition bills. The charge on your fall term tuition bill covers your insurance premium for the fall term. The charge on your spring term tuition bill covers your insurance premium for both the spring and summer academic terms.

The College’s health insurance plan for students is a PPO plan, administered by Collegiate Insurance Resources (a division of USI Affinity), with a $100 annual deductible. Students must remain enrolled in nine or more credits (during the fall and spring terms only) to remain eligible for coverage. Students insured during the spring term have continued coverage during the summer months.

An ID card will be sent to the mailing address the College has on file near the start of your first term of enrollment.

It’s a good idea to carry the ID card with you since you never know when you might have an emergency. If you lose your card, please see David Bourassa, Director of Student Life for assistance in getting another one.

If you need to see a doctor, just make an appointment directly with any doctor within the Private Healthcare Systems PPO network www.phcs.com. You can search by zip code throughout the United States. Present your insurance ID card at the time of treatment and pay your $30 copay directly to the provider. Expect to receive an invoice for 20% of the services rendered during the visit, plus the deductible amount of $100 if you have not yet met the deductible that academic year. Note the $500 maximum benefit for preventative care within the academic year. Please note that limitations apply to covered preventative services; refer to the plan brochure (available at www.cirstudenthealth.com/rmcad) for complete coverage details. David Bourassa, the Director of Student Life, is also available to assist you with finding a doctor in the area.

If you experience a true life-or-limb threatening emergency, go to the emergency room or call for paramedics and receive the treatment that you need. Present your insurance ID card. Expect to receive an invoice for 20% of the services rendered at the ER, plus the deductible amount of $100 if you have not yet met the deductible that academic year. The nearest hospital to the RMCAD campus is St. Anthony’s, located at 4231 W. 16th Avenue (south side of Sloan’s Lake).

Yes. Coverage is the same anywhere in the US.

No, but a separate discount plan is available for dental and vision. Students interested in this discount plan must purchase the plan directly from the insurance carrier.

The College offers free counseling services for all students, regardless of insurance. In fact, these on-campus visits with a Licensed Professional Counselor are independent of your insurance plan altogether, so deductibles and copayments do not apply. However, if you need to meet with a mental health provider off campus, you may make an appointment directly with any provider within the Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS) PPO network www.phcs.com. You can search by zip code throughout the US. Present your insurance ID card at the time of service. Expect to receive an invoice for 50% of the services rendered during the visit, plus the deductible amount of $100 if you have not yet met the deductible that academic year. Note the $5,000 maximum benefit for outpatient mental healthcare within the policy year. If you require inpatient mental healthcare, this will be insured in the same manner that hospitalization is covered.

Bring your prescription to one of the following major pharmacies: King Soopers, Target, Walgreens, Wal-Mart (many pharmacies are within walking distance of the campus). Present your insurance ID card and pay the applicable copay to the pharmacy directly. Note: It's to your advantage to consider generic formulas of most prescription medications. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about generic options for the medications that you need. Note the $3,000 maximum benefit for prescription medications within the policy year. Once this cap has been met, the insurance company will no longer cover prescription medications.

Contact David Bourassa, Director of Student Life for assistance or questions about the plan (303.225.8540).