Graduate School Fellowship and I-864

[moroccousa 0]

Hello,

I have two questions for those of you who are more experienced!

My fiancé and I are still waiting for his interview, but I am doing research in advance to see what is required for the AOS. We did not have to submit an affidavit of support as part of the interview process (Casablanca does not require/suggest one). So I am just now getting the forms ready.

I am currently on a graduate fellowship, (I am a PhD candidate, full-time) and my stipend is well above the poverty guidelines. I have a letter of support from the fellowship office outlining that this support will continue for at least 3 years and the amount that it provides.

Yet, I am still concerned, because as a student, I have had low incomes in the past and have been traveling significantly and my taxes from 2 years ago would not have qualified.

So, should I go ahead and get a co-sponsor (not a problem) or will my graduate fellowship suffice? Do any of you have experience with this?

Secondly, does the I-864 need to be notarized or not? Some confusion there....

Thanks!

Elizabeth

[Heliosphan 1]

Hello,

I have two questions for those of you who are more experienced!

My fiancé and I are still waiting for his interview, but I am doing research in advance to see what is required for the AOS. We did not have to submit an affidavit of support as part of the interview process (Casablanca does not require/suggest one). So I am just now getting the forms ready.

I am currently on a graduate fellowship, (I am a PhD candidate, full-time) and my stipend is well above the poverty guidelines. I have a letter of support from the fellowship office outlining that this support will continue for at least 3 years and the amount that it provides.

Yet, I am still concerned, because as a student, I have had low incomes in the past and have been traveling significantly and my taxes from 2 years ago would not have qualified.

So, should I go ahead and get a co-sponsor (not a problem) or will my graduate fellowship suffice? Do any of you have experience with this?

Secondly, does the I-864 need to be notarized or not? Some confusion there....

Thanks!

Elizabeth

No the form doesn't need to be notarized.

Hmmm it's tricky when it comes to the form. Your graduate fellowship definitely qualifies. And given the acceptence letter and forms that detail the stipend you should be fine. The tricky thing is taxes. Some officers just look at the previous years taxes and if it's not above the limit the send out an RFE. It might be useful just to get a co sponor to have your bases covered. if you don't need the sponsor they'll give you back the paperwork or just abandon it.

[ELW 5]

I agree with Heliosphan: No the form doesn't need to be notarized and yes, just in case I would get a co-sponsor, even though you technically qualify. Tax forms that don't show minimum qualification might be tricky.