International Students

Rowan College is a two-year community college that awards associate degrees and prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions or to enter directly into employment. When considering Rowan College, prospective international students should be aware that:

• Rowan College is a commuter school. There is no on-campus housing, and the College does not maintain any type of housing referral list. It is the sole responsibility of the student to find housing.
• Private transportation is necessary. Public transportation is limited; a car is preferable.
• Proficiency in the English language is a condition of acceptance. Rowan College does not have an intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
• International students are not eligible to apply for financial aid. Proof of full financial support is required by the United States federal government as well as by Rowan College.

International students are not eligible to apply for financial aid or off-campus employment; therefore, they must enter Rowan College with full financial support. Listed below is the estimated annual cost of attendance for the 2025-2026 shcool year:

• Annual Tuition & Fees
  $5,640 
• Books & Supplies 
  $2,000
• Cost of Living
  $15,014 

Total Expense: $22,654 

Effective Sept. 1, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has implemented the SEVIS I-901 fee. For a complete list of questions and answers on all aspects of the SEVIS I-901 fee, go to the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website.

RCSJ is authorized by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service to issue the Form I-20AB to eligible international students who wish to enroll at the College on a full-time basis. This document is required to obtain an F-1 (student) visa. The U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service and RCSJ require the following documentation before an I-20AB can be issued and before the prospective student is admitted to RCSJ:

• Complete and sign a Rowan College of South Jersey Application
• Send an official transcript of all high school (or secondary school) coursework completed, including Leaving Certificate or Report of Graduation. All documents must be translated into English and evaluated by the Evaluation Company (TEC).

Individuals who have completed university-level coursework outside of the U.S., and who wish to apply for transfer of credit, must submit an official detailed evaluation of their transcript. All documents must be translated into English and evaluated by the Evaluation Company (TEC) .

If transferring from another U.S. college or university, students must:

1. Have an official transcript sent from their current U.S. college or university.
2. Submit a copy of their most recent I-20AB.
3. Have their International Student Advisor complete the F-1 International Student Transfer Form.
4. Submit a copy of a valid passport, visa and I-94. (I-94 is usually stapled inside passport.)
5. To transfer in previous college coursework, please refer to the transfer page.
6. Complete an Affidavit of Sponsor, showing their sponsor is capable of and willing to provide for their financial needs while they attend RCSJ. This includes housing, tuition, books, supplies, and all other financial needs. International students may use the USCIS Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, RCSJ Affidavit of Sponsor Bank Statement Option, RCSJ Affidavit of Sponsor Annual Salary Statement Option and the Supplement Forms. If using RCSJ forms, there are two options available for the sponsor. Option 1 is to be completed if the sponsor is using employment information. Option 2 is to be completed if the sponsor is using bank information. The amount to fund an international student at RCSJ is listed in the Estimated Annual Budget.

There are limited work opportunities available in the United States for F-1 students. For this reason, before coming to the United States, F-1 students must prove they have the financial ability (e.g., present bank statements) to pay for tuition and living expenses while studying in the United States.

English proficiency is a requirement. International students from countries where English is not the first language of business must prove English proficiency. New students should submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores. The minimum scores accepted are: 500 on the paper-based test; 173 on the computer-based test; 61 on the Internet-based test.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is acceptable with a minimum score of 5. The following link provides institutions that accept IELTS, bandscore.ielts.org. For information on how to read the scores, visit  www.ielts.org.

Rowan College of South Jersey's Institutional Code is 2281. Transfer students may prove proficiency by showing successful completion of an intensive ESL program or college-level English Composition I at an SEVP-certified school.

Other resources

• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
• Student Checklist for F1 Students
• Student Checklist for F1 Transfer Students

The RCSJ application and all supporting documents should be received by the RCSJ Office of Student Services by July 15 for fall semester applicants, or November 15 for spring semester applicants. Students currently in F-1 status who are transferring from another U.S. college or university may submit documents up to one month prior to the beginning of the semester.

Applying for Reinstatement