I am a grad student at one of the University of California campuses. In my offer letter, it stated:
Congratulations! On behalf of the Committee on Admissions and Awards and the Graduate Group in (Department name), I am pleased to offer you the following financial support for the upcoming 4 years. The funding will be in the form of a Graduate Student Researcher, Fellowship and Teaching Assistant...The details of your award are as follows:
Summer Support with Professor X (3 months at $5000.00 per month) $15,000.00
I just got my first summer paycheck and the amount is only around $4000 (before tax). I sent some emails to grad coordinator, and some other parts of university but they didn't answer. I also sent an email to the professor and he answered "The pay check amount is true. Sorry, there is no more fund available for you at the moment!"
How is it possible? Can a professors behave like this? Why the offer letter of the university with the signature of the Department chairman below it, specifies some amount of money but the pay check is in different amount? How should I proceed?