International Turf Students

If you will be entering the United States from another country to attend the Two-Year Turf Certificate Program offered by the Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management School, please be sure to contact your national embassy about visa requirements in advance. Every country is different, visa regulations often change and authorization may take time to secure. It is best for students to communicate with border control officials directly well in advance of planned traveling.

Rutgers Global provides immigration services and advising to help international students provide legal status throughout your time at Rutgers. Some important things you should know:

• The curriculum is designed to have you attend classes at Rutgers during one 10-week session (known as “Turf I”) in the fall or winter. This is followed by an internship which is most often completed in your home country (or outside of the U.S.). After that, you return to Rutgers for your second 10-week session (“Turf II”) the following fall or winter.
• You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days earlier than the start date of your program (which will be in October for the fall session or in January for the winter session). The program continues five days a week until the end of ten weeks (which will be either December for fall or March for winter). International students are only issued an I-20 (F-1 visa document) for the specific dates of the program and must depart the U.S. within 60 days after their program ends. If you are able to secure an internship before your program’s end date and begin working soon thereafter, Rutgers Global MAY be able to extend your I-20 for a maximum of 5 weeks.
• There are also additional fees for International students: approximately $750 payable to Rutgers University (for SEVIS administration and health insurance fee) before you can apply for the F-1 visa and $510 to the U.S. Department of State and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (for SEVIS fee and visa fee) after you fill out form I-20 (required to apply for the F-1 visa).

For assistance, contact Carissa McCarthy at carissam@global.rutgers.edu or visit Tailored and Certificate Programs | Rutgers Global for more information.

As described above, there are additional fees incurred by international students in order to obtain a visa. Please be sure to account for these fees when budgeting for your Rutgers turfgrass education.

• Approximately $750 payable to Rutgers University (for SEVIS administration and health insurance fee) before students can apply for the F-1 visa
• $510 to the U.S. Department of State and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (for SEVIS fee and visa fee) after obtaining the form I-20 (required to apply for the F-1 visa)

These fees are in addition to your tuition fees, books, and travel/housing expenses.

Visit our Travel and Housing page for information and resources to help you plan your trip to New Jersey and secure living accommodations during your stay. Housing is not included in your tuition and you are responsible for making your own housing arrangements, but we are here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance!