For the remaining two semesters of tuition, can I use fixed deposits in my own name as proof of funds for my German visa? Should I submit the FD receipt itself, or a separate bank letter?

Fixed deposits alone will not satisfy this specific requirement, even though they are in your own name. German visa rules are strict about liquidity for tuition funds, so you need a different primary source, with FDs treated only as extra supporting evidence if you choose to include them.

Primary vs Supplementary Proof

If You Still Want to Include Your FDs

• Get an official bank letter on original letterhead stating explicitly that the deposit is fully liquid and can be encashed without penalty before maturity.
• Attach the original, stamped FD receipt or certificate alongside that letter.
• Include 6 months of bank statements showing the clear money trail behind how the deposits were created.
• Watch currency fluctuations closely if your FDs are not held in euros, since a shift in exchange rate could push you below the required minimum.

My Advice

Do not build your two semester tuition proof around FDs at all. Route the actual required amount through your blocked account or a loan sanction letter as your primary evidence, and keep the FD paperwork purely as a backup folder to demonstrate broader family financial stability if the officer asks.