<p>It’s really a technical issue, although there’s a practical side of it, too. If you get the stipend, then the University is fully funding tuition and expenses (other than travel expenses) for the academic year. However, the summer stipend does not provide quite enough to satisfy immigration authorities that you have enough resources for 12 months. There’s a $3,600 gap.</p>
<p>Now, (1) you could probably live for the year on the $22,500, even after taxes, and (2) it shouldn’t be hard to earn an extra $3,600 over the course of the year. But apparently you are not going to get into the country without showing upfront that you have access to another $3,600.</p>
<p>This is something to talk to the University about, since it would be an issue faced by 100% of foreign graduate students. I am certain there are non-onerous ways to solve it.</p>