Students and DV - Please Provide Experiences

[stressedstudent]

Hi All,

I have noticed that a lot of students have asked about the AOS experiences of other students, particularly providing evidence of financial support, which is sometimes difficult when you are in the middle of your studies. I wondered whether people who have done AOS or CP could outline what they used as evidence of support for their application and suggest ways for new applicants to strengthen their applications.

For me, my husband is the winner and he is in the second year of his PhD program. He will provide a letter from the program outlining his stipend support and salary from teaching and the duration of that support. He will also supply a letter (and perhaps an article on the topic) that outlines the shortage of professors in his area and the average starting salary for a PhD graduate of his school. Finally, he will provide a bank statement outlining $30,000 in savings. I have to read more about whether I need to provide evidence of support as well, but if so, I will use the same bank statement, and I should have a job offer by then, so I will submit that letter (does anyone know whether an offer letter is sufficient, or do I need to show that I have accepted the offer as well?).

What do people think? Can anyone share their experiences?

 

[madhatter]

I applied (only myself) when I was on OPT (right after I graduated) and was working (a 1 yr job) in a related field as OPT requires. At the time of the interview I had a job offer (a more "permanent" job) letter (copy of the letter that i accepted, signed and sent back). Although I had the job letters stating the durations and salaries, and tax-returns, the officer seemed to have a problem with a less than 1 month period (between the end of the 1 yr job and the start of the new job) where I would be unemployed -this was during the interview. After the interview, everything went smoothly though.

My understanding is that the finances are questioned for the family as a whole, not for each individual in the family (check this with others though). I think they just want to know that you won't abuse the benefits system. If your husband is in a PhD program with assistantships/fellowships, this should be a positive sign -although the salaries are not huge, there is consistent income on which you can make a living. And you, yourself, probably cannot work as a f2 holder, but you will be able to work legally (and contribute to the family budget) with a GC, making it less likely that you will be dependent on benefits. So, if I were you, I would bring documents about my education/skills, to prove I am employable.

good luck.