Need advice from International students on F1 Visa in fully funded PhD/Master's programs

[Eternal Optimist]

Hello,

I am an international student applying for funded and PhD programs this year. Would like to ask a few questions about the process of obtaining I 20. For instance, when you are funded by the university (both tuition and living stipend), do you still need to submit bank documents showing enough funds to cover the the expenses of the first year or is the the proof of funding from the department enough?

Please share your experiences.

Edited February 4, 2014 by Eternal Optimist

[fuzzylogician]

Your university's International Students Office will provide you with a document that states (1) how much funding you will receive from your department, and (2) how much it costs to attend your school (tuition+living expenses). If your department will fully cover all of the costs, you are good to. If there are remaining costs, the ISO will ask you to provide proof of your ability to pay the additional costs (i.e. a bank statement) and will only issue the document that states that you have funding after you show that you can pay the remaining expenses. You then go to the US embassy to get your visa with that document from the ISO about your financial support. 

[TakeruK]

Just to add to what fuzzy said, the I-20 itself will include how much it costs for the first year as well as how much support you will get. So, you don't have to worry about the Embassy/Consulate staff and/or border agents not believing you when you say you are fully funded. My International Office says that technically, when you cross the border, you should not have to bring evidence of funding (e.g. the letter that states you have funding) because the I-20 does that, but it is still very strongly recommended to have!