Sponsoring Non-Degree Students

Rutgers departments or units wishing to enroll international students in a non-degree program must provide Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services with a detailed syllabus/plan in order for us to determine eligibility for visa sponsorship. Please contact international student adviser Carissa McCarthy at Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services for more information. For RBHS non-degree programs, please contact international student adviser Stephanie Otte.

A detailed program description should include the following: 

  1. Program start and end dates and level of study (undergrad/grad) 
  2. Proof of full time study. See full time study requirement for more information. 
  3. Total cost per student broken out by tuition and fees, and living expenses. 
  4. The manner in which students will be funded for their studies (private funds or government/other third party funds). 
  5. The number of students who will participate in the program. 
  6. If any students will be less than 18 years old, your unit/department must comply with the Protection of Minors (POM) Policy. Please consult us if you intend to involve minors in your program as the completion of certain forms and releases from Health Services and a detailed Risk Management analysis is required. 
  7. If the administrators of the non-degree program to host international students at Rutgers are working with an international institution, a contract between Rutgers and the overseas partner should be submitted for review by the Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services and General Counsel. Samples of such contracts are available on request. 

Please note, we are not responsible for sourcing appropriate housing for the students enrolling in non-degree programs.  

Within the first few days of the program start date, students must check-in with Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services and attend a brief orientation about immigration related matters and maintaining legal status in the United States.

Additional Information

Step 1 +

Email the program details listed above at least 10 weeks prior to the program start date to international student adviser Carissa McCarthy at Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services at carissam@global.rutgers.edu. You will receive notification from the Center for Global Services if the program is approved for international student participation.  

Step 2 +

You may collect applications from international student participants once your program is approved by Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services. Send completed applications, student passports, funding documents, and Rutgers administrative fees and submit these materials to Carissa McCarthy at carissam@global.rutgers.edu. Please note that the student will also have to pay a different SEVIS fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after they receive their I-20 or DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility from you. 

Step 3 +

The Center for Global Services will have the I-20 or DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility and accompanying welcome packet available for you to pick up within two weeks—mail these materials to the student. 

Step 4 +

Once the student receives these materials, they can use them to apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate in their home country. They must also pay a fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This process can take several weeks. Check in with the student periodically during this time. 

 

Step 5 +

Assist the student with Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services' check-in process if necessary and ensure that program objectives are being followed. Please note that the student may only arrive within 30 days of the start of your program.