Funding statement insufficient for F1 visa?

[Ronomon]

Hello,

Recently me and my girlfriend were admitted to the same university in PhD programs and we're in the process of applying to the I-20 form. While my application came without any issues, her application is stuck in the part where you have to show sufficient funding for one year. Although her funding offer states she will have funding for 5 years, the funding she'll receive in her first year comes from TA during 2/3's of the year, which is shown in the offer. After that, her funding will depend on her working with a professor, and the amount she'll receive is not shown in the offer.

My guess is that it won't be an issue, given that it's not the first time they have an international student in the program. However, in case it is an issue, how could she show the 1/3rd of funding remaining? Could this be an issue in the visa interview?

[TakeruK]

If possible, the very best thing you can do is to show the remaining 1/3 of funding available via personal funds. Talk to your school's international office about whether this will be an issue as well. If the I-20 shows a dollar amount that is more than 1 year's expenses, then you should not have a problem (e.g. if the I-20 shows all five years, then it might be okay). Otherwise, your school's international office can help your girlfriend figure out what documentation is required (if any) for the remaining 1/3 funds. Typically, they want to see something like a bank account statement (i.e. money that you can immediately access if needed) but there may be requirements on how it is formatted etc. 

I believe that when you go to the visa interview, your proof of funds documents are expected to match whatever is on your I-20. So, your international office should be able to help your girlfriend determine what funding is necessary and how to prove it.

[PhD_hopeful_]

Anyone here with a full assistantship and had a visa interview?  Did they require showing additional funding even though all your finances will be covered by the school?

[fuzzylogician]

No. Once you have a statement from the school that your finances are sufficient, that's all you'll need for the interview. What might happen is that your assistantship doesn't pay enough and the school itself asks you to show additional funds before they issue you the I-20, but then they'll just show this additional funding on the document they produce for you to show you have enough funding to obtain the visa. At the interview itself, this document should be enough.