So I think he got rejected because PhD is not usually given on a yearly basis. It is often a contract of atleast 3-4 years. Ofcourse this is just my speculation and I have no idea how his field works, but I have seen people who went to similar programs in Europe whose funding ran out mid program and they had to return to their country and wait until funding was resumed, if ever.
If his PhD was yearly, then I dont know if he showed enough funds to cover further years of PhD in case funding was not given.
If his PhD was yearly, then I dont know if he showed enough funds to cover further years of PhD in case funding was not given.