Grad Student Award Letter Template

International students must show proof of funding for their first year of study in the U.S. in order to be issued an I-20 or DS-2019.

The I-20 and DS-2019 serve as the invitation letters from U.S. institutions for students to study here in the states. These documents are required for student visa interviews.

Graduate students receiving funding from an academic department may request an award letter to be included as part of their I-20 or DS-2019 request documentation.

 Departments may use the template below.  

Please print on department letterhead and sign in ink.

• This template is for students awarded a Graduate Assistantship, Research Assistantship, Teaching Assistantship, etc.
• The printed and signed letter should be sent to the international student directly.
• The department contact and signatory may be any faculty or staff member within the academic department that ISSS can contact with questions. 
• If the student needs to apply for a Social Security Number, this letter can be used as an employment verification letter but must be signed with an original ink signature.
• All questions related to the I-20 should be sent to internationaladvising@unt.edu.
• All questions related to the DS-2019 should be sent to jinfo@unt.edu.

(Department Letterhead)

Verification of Department Award

To Whom it May Concern:

This is evidence that an award has been issued for:  [Student Name]

UNT EIN: 75-6002149

Start Date of Employment: [Enter Start Date]

List each semester student will be awarded: [Fall XXXX, Spring XXXX, etc]

Monthly Salary: [Enter Salary]

Does this award cover health insurance premiums? [Yes or No]

Does the position offer in-state tuition? [Yes or No]

Is the student offered tuition benefits [Yes or No]

If yes, how many credit hours is the student offered per semester? [Enter credit hours]

Department Contact Information:

[Name]

[Email]

[Signature]

[Signatory's Title]

[Date]