₦airaland Forum

Eniolakiite:
As it turns out, if you’re a US taxpayer and you filed for 2018 and 2019 tax returns, you will get the 1200. Attached image is from IRS website.

From the IRS page, international students are not qualified since they file 1040-NR and 10401040-NR-EZ, unless they have wrongly filed their taxe as a resident.

See attached from https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center

Wretch32:
Isn't it illegal to file using the form 1040 as an F1 student visa holder?

@TheGrandChemist already said it..."If you haven't passed the substantial presence test as an international student, the correct form for filing your taxes is the form 1040-NR (this is meant for non-resident aliens)." Or 1040-NR-EZ.

Most international students file the wrong tax which has not resulted in any kind issue to some in the past.
But it's not going to be wise at this time to depend on the luck that nothing will spring up later in the future from inappropriate filing of tax. Best thing is to do the right thing (1040-NR and 1040-NR-EZ) to avoid getting in trouble because of $1k+ from education credit and some few extra dollars.

Data Analytics, Data Management, Applied Economics and Data Intelligence, Mathematical economics etc.
My oga @GboyegaD could give you better suggestions if you would send him a message.

Elizabeth0001:
Good morning my people,
I am an economist #bsc, I want to further my education in the line of my profession but I really do not know what line of economics is more marketable in the USA, I need help on that, and I want to begin my process but I do not know where to begin from and do not know how to get full stipends from a professor who I will be assisting, I need links and steps on how to carry out all of these process, pls help me. I need answers. Thanks

I think data correction can only be done in Abuja. Please confirm this information.

magthan:
Thanks Alot, please who knows if they do passport name change in Lagos

Yes to your question.

Search through this thread, it has all the answers and the steps required to be followed by your sister. You can also direct her to this page, it's very simple.

Ashirioluwa:
Please I need more info....
I want to know if my sister can use HND degree to apply for MS degree in USA.
She has HND degree (upper) in Statistics

Why MTSU with this GPA?
Why not write GMAT and apply to a better school and then reapply for the visa? This should take out of the sponsor's burden.

airnext:
US Visa Interview Denied.

Heres's my transcript.... Please advise.

WHY ARE YOU GOING TO US?
For a masters degree in accounting at mtsu

Have you paid your sevis fee?
Yes

What would this degree do for you?
It would enable me achieve my long-term goals. Which is to… [cuts me off}

What are your long-term goals?
To establish my own accounting and consulting firm here in Nigeria as I would gain knowledge of US Accounting standards, tax laws and systems which will give me a competitive edge over my peers here in Nigeria.

Why mtsu?
Beside the fact that I was given scholarship, mtsu has robust curriculum as I am to take some prerequisite courses on US accounting principles, auditing & tax laws also they have cpa courses embedded in their program. This aligns with my desire to take the cpa exams upon the completion of my masters as cpa requires that you have a certain credit hour before you can take the exam.

Who is going to pay for the deficit?
My aunt [ I forgot to mention myself also]

What does your aunt do?
She a business partner to several telecom companies in Nigeria.+

How is she related to you?
She’s my uncle’s wife sister

He also asked why I was given the scholarship.... My response was that because of the my undergrad GPA which is 3.87 of 4
He also asked if I was married
His last question was if I had traveled out of the country before and I said no

Is USF funding you or you just don't care about the financial burden? MTU and USF categorically said they don't fund MS. program (Electrical engineering), but you can push for funding at Arkansas.
I don't know your financial capabilities, but I just feel like dropping this. It's not easy coping without funding for the entire program, you know.

4gunners:
This is my prepared transcript. I need your observations and suggestions..

V.O - Where are you going?
Me – I’m going to US for my Masters in Civil Engineering with concentration in Structural Engineering at University of South Florida
V.O - Why are you going for MSc in Civil Engineering?
Me – I really want to become an expert in structural engineering. Having studied Civil engineering in my undergraduate studies, we were exposed just to all the branches of civil engineering but not indepth. Msc in civil engineering will give me advance knowledge in my area specialization which is structural engineering.
V.O – Why masters in U.S and not in Nigeria?
Me – Masters in U.S will not only avail me the opportunity to have sound mix of practical and theoretical knowledge but will also enable me to have international exposure which will give me a competitive edge towards working with multinational oil companies like shell, Exxonmobile
V.O – How many schools did you apply to and how many admit?
Me – 4. I got admit in Michigan Tech Houghton, University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, USF - Tampa and UNH- West Haven Connecticut. But reject from UW seattle and WSU - pullman
V.O - How did you get to know about these schools?
Me – I made use of online portal like thegradcafe, msinus.com, and google to look at schools that matched my profile. I looked at the research interest of the faculty members in my program at the schools and use that to streamline the schools I applied to.
V.O – Why USF?
Me – I chose USF over others because of three major reasons: 1. The weather in Tampa FL is tropical which would be very easy for me to adjust to 2. I’ve been interacting with Prof. Qing who is keen on accepting me to the Green lab where I will researching on greener alternatives to cement- a very important material in the construction industry. This will be a sort of continuation of my undergraduate project, which makes the decision to choose USF easier for me 3. My dept has corrosion laboratory which is one of the very few in US, which will help to determine the durability of greener cement I’ll be working on.
V.O – What are your study plans
Me – I have to complete a total minimum of 30 credit hours which consist of 24 credit hours of coursework and 6 credit hours of thesis. I’ll be taken courses like advanced concrete design, prestressed concrete, advanced structural mechanics, structural dynamics, advanced finite element
V.O – What year did you graduate and what have you been doing since then?
Me – I graduated in Septemeber, 2017. I did my National youth service between November 2017 and Novemebr 2019. I started working in Granny ventures Limited as Facilitity Engineer from January 20019 till this moment.
V.O – Who will be sponsoring your trip?
Me - My uncle
V.O – What does he do?
Me – He is a senior officer in judiciary
V.O – Why does he want to sponsor you
Me – He has always been impressed with my academic performance right from my secondary school days and promised to finance my graduate studies if I could do well in my undergraduate studies, which I did.
V.O – What will this degree do for you.
Me –Upon graduation and completion of my Masters program, I will be highly proficient and skilled in the advanced analysis and design of structures under both conventional and unconventional load which will give me leverage in the oil and gas sector as oil companies like shell and Exxon mobil are continually seeking structural engineering for the design and maintenance of their platforms. On the longer term, I will like to start my own consulting firm, which will focus on providing engineering consulting services in the oil and gas industry.
V.O – I’ll be approving you visa
Me – Thanks.

Cc: fairheart lagosismyhome. I need input of everyone.

World remit, transferwise, sendwave, boss revolution etc.
I use sendwave because it is fast and no extra charge. But you can only send money from your debit card/account.

kaad:
Hi Everyone.
Please what APP or site is best for USD to Naira Exchange.
Thanks

TheNoble007:
Hello people.... Please who is aware of a very trusted platform through which one can send money from a US bank account to Nigeria? Money gram will be expensive. A friend needs to do some transactions back home... Thanks!

World remit, transferwise, sendwave, boss revolution.

Is earth science not the group name for Geoscience, Geography, Geology, GIS etc.? If yes, then with the right profile you should have more options.

Enasdan:
good evening everyone, please I do kindly need need your suggestions and recommendations, please who knows any university in US they offers M.Sc in Earth/Environmental science with either full, partial funding or any other GA like TA, RA?
Thank in advance, for your swift contributions and recommendations, of which I'II appreciate.

If I can rightly remember, UBA charged me $3/transaction.

Astaclover9:
Wat are the charges billed when one uses Dom account master card atm in the states... Cos a friend of mine is telling me to withdraw the money from my account or else I would regret when the bank start surcharging me.
Please someone respond to this!!

I am sorry...that should be °F

4gunners:
105°C ? That's more than boiling point of water. Can any human survive that?

And be prepared for the weather too. It's always above 105°C during the day should you decide to take a walk around the city.

victree007:
Thanks for the tip. Yeah my connecting flight to McAllen Texas is actually cheap. I will try not to waste the whole 15hours at the airport. Thanks once again.

Please don't try this. Vegas to Texas using bus
I can bet you, if you check local flights you'll get a cheap ticket to IAH or the closest airport in Texas to your destination.
While in Vegas, you can get a bus ride ($5 for 24 hours) to the Strip and Freemont street for sightseeing. Don't waste the 15 hours at the airport

victree007:
lol I'm certain you're not crazy. I've got a layover of 15hrs in Las Vegas before my next flight to Texas. Still trying to see if there's a not so expensive bus service I can use to Texas directly without waiting that long

Why not apply to other schools? USF doesn't fund any of the MS (engineering) programs. And you're required to get an advisor to pick you or show interest before you can be admitted into the Ph.D. programs.
If your quantitative is >75th percentile and your undergrad GPA is >3.5/4.0, I'd suggest you consider a Ph.D. if you're interested

spaccleinc:
Hello guys.

Visa denied last week Friday at Lagos Consulate. Please, kindly help review the interview transcript and advise if it's still worth it to apply with this same admission offer / any other advice or tip that comes to mind. Thank you.


...........................................................................................


VISA DENIED. Lagos Consulate.

Interview by a middle-aged man, probably late 40s or 50s (Indian origin) on Counter 1.



University of South Florida 

MS in Mechanical Engineering 

No funding/assistantship received 

35K deficit 




Transcript:


VO: Pass me your passport and I20

Me: *passed him my docs


VO typing and looking at his screen for almost 45seconds. Finally asks questions but was staring at his screen for most of the time


VO: When did you finish High School? 

Me: 2010


VO: Bachelor's? 

Me: 2016


VO: What course? 

Me: Mechanical Engineering 


VO: What have you been doing since then? 

Me: I went for my mandatory national youth service at Co**... (VO cuts in) 


VO: Oh... That's just one year 

Me: Yes... After that, I secured a job as a project engineer at **** Engineering Limited, and I've been there since then. 


VO: As a project engineer? 

Me: Yes


VO: And you're still working there? 

Me: Yes, currently working 


VO: You don't have any assistantship. Did you take the GRE? (Now looks at me) 

Me: Yes


VO: What did you score? 

Me: 318


VO: TOEFL? 

Me: Yes, 106.


VO: So, how come no assistantship? (VO said this looking very disturbed)


VO: How many universities did you apply to? 

Me: 4


VO: How many admits? 

Me: 2


VO: So why no assistantship?

Me: Well, I was also surprised that I didn't receive any assistantship or funding, so I contacted the schools about this and I was told that assistantships and scholarships are usually awarded on a first come first serve basis


***All this while was always typing and looking at his screen,then stares back at me .. He was still disturbed even after I told him the reply I received from the school ***


VO: Ok. So, why a Masters in Mechanical Engineering? 

Me: Well, I have career interests in Energy sys.... (VO cuts in) 


VO: Ok. Who will be sponsoring your education?

Me: My father will be paying for my education 


VO: Ok. (says this while still typing) 


VO: (Types for about 15 seconds, then brings out the pink slip). I cannot approve your visa. 

Me: Ok sir. 


He didn't ask to see any supporting documents throughout the interview

dikachi484:
Yes but the person will have to apply through the Bioscience PhD program first.
Check out bioscience.Utah.edu

Thank you.
Please are you doing Post-Bachelor track or the conventional track?

dikachi484:
Hi everyone, ...
OK..enough of the long story, here is the transcript..(the interview was quite short)

VO: Pass me your passport please.....
Me: (I pass my passport)
VO: where are you heading to?
Me: I'll be heading to the University of Utah, for Doctorate studies in Biochemistry
VO: Can I see your I-20
Me: Yes please (Pass I-20)
VO: How will you fund your studies
Me: Graduate fellowship
VO: OK..so did you take like the GMAT..GRE?
Me: I took the GRE and TOEFL
VO: So what will you be doing?...Teaching?..
Me: Mostly Lab work, however, I have a compulsory semester of teaching.
VO: Do you have a supervisor yet?
Me: Not yet, though I have someone in mind but the program allows 1st yr PhD students to carryout 3lab rotations where they can get to know prospective supervisors before they go into full agreement or choose their supervisor..
..
I have collected my stamped passport back...Thanks for the advise guys.

Congratulations!
I have a friend that wants to do same program at U of Utah.
Is your program in the school of medicine?

horlahsunbo225:
B4 I use to dislike ur comment but today u change my perceptive with this word

We should always acknowledged God I mudane things like eating, sleeping and all

The truth is average Nigerian are serving God because of hardship and favour receiving or need from him, which suppose not to be so
God bless u

Thank you for this. Average Nigerian serves God because of the hardship in the land.
We had a discussion few weeks ago on why Nigerians abandon church few months after getting into the US, most answers pointed to "hypocrisy."

A reporter added this: "Divine Oduduru says Texas Tech feels more like home than where he grew up in Nigeria. Even though he announced going pro, he will still get his degree in December and train at Tech. #WreckEm @fox34"

So he's not a dropout after all.

Mykaelolalekan:
Good day NL, I need to speak to someone currently studying in the USA. I have booked my visa appointment already but my mind is really troubled as I have to leave my wife and my 2 kids behind.
I just need a personal conversation to enable me move forward with my plans.

cc GboyegaD

fairheart:
Meanwhile, I have just been told the dropbox interview waiver for B1/B2 visa has just been suspended today. Let's see if they will bring it back.

Not just for B1/B2, but for all nonimmigrant visas including F1.

https://ng.usembassy.gov/indefinite-suspension-of-dropbox-process-for-renewals/

fcnaxo:
Well 105$ is really expensive even DHL charges around 65$(23,400) per delivery to Naija ,Schools rarely send admission letters /1-20’s via mail anymore, they now have a law against that( Federal regulations prohibit electronic delivery of the I-20).the best they can do for u is to send the school code and ur sevis ID sir. Food wey sweet na money kill am,You gotta spend money to make money sir.(my xperience)

You're not totally correct. Timottee mentioned only the admission letter which I believe all schools post on their application portal available for download or some schools do send email for admission notification. So he was totally right!
Then you get your admission package (i20, hard copy of admission letter, school brochure etc) via mail, this is what you pay for. You don't pay for just the admission letter to be mailed to Nigeria.

Walspring:
6 month to expiration date you can renew

Thank you.

AgreatMan:
It is not always like that. I once renewed my passport 12 months before it expires even though they said it's 6 months.

Scenario 1: current passport still needs 12 months before expiration but a school u are about to apply to ask u to submit a passport which is valid for at least 2 years.

Scenario 2: current passport still has 11 months to expire. But an employer wish to renew your contract n Visa by 12 months.

They will give it but will ask you to write down why u want it earlier.

Thank you.
Did you renew it in Nigeria or outside?

LagosismyHome:
Yes this is fine ....

Nigeria rule is that you can apply for a new passport at least 6 months before your current passport expires.... so anytime under 6 months to the expiry date is allowed .

Thank you.

Please, does anyone know if it is possible to renew an international passport before it expires?
Like I have a passport that will expire in August but want to renew it over the summer break around June/July.
Thank you.

Pefuele:
Sure you right.I am looking for other opinions.
Some info can be more trendy and I can get contributions from peeps studying there on this thread,you never know.It is good to be open to options...

Definitely it is Mississippi State University, it is R1 while Texas A&M Kingsville is R2. But based on location, Kingsville might be better for Coop/internship. Also, your course will play a role. Just know what you want, prepare and go for it.

Ejimagift:
These kinds of development that is alien to igbo land is what some children of perdition from the east are shouting OTO GE for so they can install their kerosene sharing party in Lagos to drag the progress of the past 20 years in the mud. Abia needs OTO GE, not Lagos.

There's no need for comment like this.

hwfwl:
Hello Beautiful people,. After 1 year plus as a pharmacist and I have been trying to apply for admissions in the US for either master's degree or PhD I haven't gotten any. It is always close. GRE 305 TOEFL 102.
I APPLIED TO KANSAS UNIVERSITY FOR PHD MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE and just 2 weeks ago they replied me that I am on their waiting list and that they are waiting for some of those they gave admissions to reply back. They won't tell me how sure is it for me to get the admissions or even when.
And so I have decided to come here for my answers.

My questions are 1. How sure am I to get the admissions of the waitlist
2. When could that be?
3. Should I just face the other master's degree admissions because my agents after much pressure from me has started admissions in Arkansas Tech for emergency management.
I am starting to think something is wrong somewhere, for close to two years with a PharmD and fair test scores I still can't get admission.

To start with, Arkansas Tech that I know won't fund you. If you can apply to UAMS probably through a program with UALR, that will be a better option. I remember a guy was admitted to UALR but being funded by UAMS for a Biostatistics research, I don't know how he did it.
because my agents after much pressure from me has started admissions in Arkansas Tech for emergency management. This is what is wrong. You have to handle your destiny by yourself, apply to schools by yourself. Spread your tentacles, apply to different schools that fit your plan...remember, by yourself!

IJSEUN20:
Good evening all,

please i am new on this forum and i will like to make an inquiry if it is possible to apply for my masters in any school in the US with my HND result?
Thanks.

YES
I'm sorry to say this, but I feel new guys coming to the thread don't do any search at all before asking questions!
This question has been answered many times...use the search bar or go through the previous pages.

CheapDataGuy:
Useless Samsung. They need to work on their battery jarey

Who still worries about phone batteries in this century when you can charge your phone almost everywhere? Only in Nigeria...
Inside the bus, restaurants, grocery stores, schools etc all provide a charging point for you.