Is it mandatory that it must be mentioned on I20 for Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) because I have received I-20, but it is not mentioned on it. But my advisor at the university is assuring that I will get GRA once I come there.Is it possible or it has to be mentioned before on I20? Please clarify my doubt.
Thanks in anticipation.
Well, Graduate Assistanships are very competitive and they may or may not be mentioned by the University. What your professor is saying is that you first come to the University and I will give you GA/ GRA then. It does not have to be in I20, when they give you admission. It can be awarded after to travel to USA. The only advantage of having it awarded before your travel and written in I20 is that your need to show funds for education comes down as the GA would cover that.
My view is that, unless you are applying for PhD, professors may not be willing to put that on I20 as they may have to get into some restrictions with funding as they will have to wait for you…Not many can afford to do that. You may ask professor, if it can be rolled out in the admission letter from school, if he says cannot, but I give you my word, you may have to trust in your professor and take the risk and judgement call. Just be prepared for everything, in case you were not to be given GA after you get there due to other circumstances…Just be positive, I am trying to give you all the reality, not trying to scare you with all the options that can happen.
Thank you so much for your valuable input.