Financial proof question for schengen visa application at French consulate in NYC?

None of us here - as far as I know - are immigration experts, certainly not immigration to France experts.

In that case, none of us will know the answer to your question. So none of us in in the position of being able to advise you.

Have you considered going to the horse's mouth and asking the French Consulate before you start filling out your paperwork - or more even if you have already started.

Or I am sure that NYC is full of qualified immigration lawyers, some of whom will specialise in France. You could ask one of them, but the answer I would tend to believe the most would be the French Consulate.

Do they have a phone number or email address?

According to the NYC French Consulate website (http://tinyurl.com/kvouhkw)you need all of the following:

"- FINANCIAL GARANTEES (+ 1 copy),
Proof that you have at least 100 U.S.Dollars per day for each day you will stay in the Schengen countries.
To be submitted in the following forms:
1) an up-to-date letter from your employer in the U.S.A mentioning your annual salary, stating that your requested time of absence has been approved and confirming your continued employment on your return (+ 1 copy)
2) AND your last 3 paystubs (+ 1 copy)
3) AND your last 3 monthly bank statements in US currency Internet printed copies are not accepted (+ 1 copy)
°°°° if your financial means are not sufficient, you may also provide a notarized letter from your sponsor stating he/she will be responsible for all your expenses and a proof of his/her financial means (+ 1 copy). "

Unless you have a sponsor in France it doesn't appear that you qualify of a visa:(

http://www.immihelp.com/visas/schengenvisa/means-of-substinence.html

Looks like France is one of the most expensive of the Schengen countries.