₦airaland Forum

Radarada08:
Hi guys. Please I have some questions to ask the int'l graduate students who are currently in USA (I don't know if anyone has asked them before).

1) How do you cater for yourself? For people who receive GA/TA monthly stipends, is it usually sufficient for you for the entire month, especially after paying rent and other course fees? If yes, great! If no, what do you do to supplement it? (Besides asking for help from your family).

2) Are there other on campus jobs you can combine with your GA position (maybe for 2-3 hrs) that can pay you (just to make ends meet, especially if you don't rely on your family)?
I know F-1 students have 20hrs/week to work. But a student told me on LinkedIn that her GA is actually 23hrs. Hence my question.

3) How did you sort out your accommodation in the US before leaving Nigeria? Most of the students I've spoken with on LinkedIn said they had friends that they squatted with for a few months. What if you don't have any friend there? Are there websites once can check for available apartments (PS: I'm going to Tennessee).

4) How much will you advise an int'l student to enter the US with? Just something substantial enough to cover accommodation, feeding, and other miscellaneous expenses, pending when they start receiving their GA stipend?

@chibertha, @UmmZayd, @beejhay69, @Walspring, etc. (And any other person who can contribute to the questions asked).

Thanks.

These questions poo oo
It depends on the total amount of the Assistantship. Some will cover everything while some will not. Some stipend will pay for rent and food while some will not be enough for both. So it depends.

Yes, if you are able to secure a place in your school's dinning or library just to make some extra cash, you can do that as well. To cut your expenses, live in shared apartment if you can.

If you don't have anyone in the US . Like you're a lone range, first thing is to go and search on Facebook if your school has a student community or you reach out on LinkedIn. If you have used everything and you still don't get someone to stay with for first few weeks then reach out to that person on your i-20. There are also options of the international student office as well. Graduate coordinator etc. They will help you find a student that will accommodate you. Ehm when you finally see a student Biko don't overstay your welcome when you get there. Before you travel start making plans for your own apartment as well.
So you may find apartment with high rent at first. Just make sure it's something your stipend can cover. There are some places with lease agreement of 6month-12month. If your stipend won't cover every month then don't sign any lease. Just go with a place with a monthly payment (you may have to pay a month down payment though but it's refundable if you no break anything inside apartment)

Stipend will not drop immediately so hold some cash. $2000 is okay if you can afford it. $1000 will do too. Most importantly, spend wisely. If you need to get anything, search for Family dollar, Dollar store, Walmart around you to buy them at a reduced price. Don't buy anything you don't need Biko.

Lastly, you will be fine after 2/3 months

UmmZayd:
These questions poo oo
It depends on the total amount of the Assistantship. Some will cover everything while some will not. Some stipend will pay for rent and food while some will not be enough for both. So it depends.

Yes, if you are able to secure a place in your school's dinning or library just to make some extra cash, you can do that as well. To cut your expenses, live in shared apartment if you can.

If you don't have anyone in the US . Like you're a lone range, first thing is to go and search on Facebook if your school has a student community or you reach out on LinkedIn. If you have used everything and you still don't get someone to stay with for first few weeks then reach out to that person on your i-20. There are also options of the international student office as well. Graduate coordinator etc. They will help you find a student that will accommodate you. Ehm when you finally see a student Biko don't overstay your welcome when you get there. Before you travel start making plans for your own apartment as well.
So you may find apartment with high rent at first. Just make sure it's something your stipend can cover. There are some places with lease agreement of 6month-12month. If your stipend won't cover every month then don't sign any lease. Just go with a place with a monthly payment (you may have to pay a month down payment though but it's refundable if you no break anything inside apartment)

Stipend will not drop immediately so hold some cash. $2000 is okay if you can afford it. $1000 will do too. Most importantly, spend wisely. If you need to get anything, search for Family dollar, Dollar store, Walmart around you to buy them at a reduced price. Don't buy anything you don't need Biko.

Lastly, you will be fine after 2/3 months

Thanks a lot for the answers.

guest31:
First I had a book a regular date in order to request EA. After I made EA, I did not hear anything from embassy for almost a month. I tried to contact embassy a few times and they kept on saying that they cannot tell how long it will take and suggested that I can keep checking for available dates. However whenever I tried to check dates, I was getting following message (see screenshot). Then I contacted the help line and they asked to cancel the appointment and make new, so I did that and then I was able to see calendar and available dates.

Y is urs showing Philippines?

wolfenstein:
Y is urs showing Philippines?

it was a screenshot from internet to show what error i was getting.

guest31:
it was a screenshot from internet to show what error i was getting.

Ok

That's not where u logged in

On EA, I requested on Friday 17th June and got a reply today 19th June. And here is their reply:

You have received the following message regarding your Emergency/Group scheduling request:

Given the high volume of demand and limited resources we are unable to schedule an emergency student/exchange visitor visa appointment at this time.  Please continue to check for student/exchange visitor visa appointment availability as we add appointments when our staffing increases.



Well i plan to send them an email with my school in copy.

veranneoma:
On EA, I requested on Friday 17th June and got a reply today 19th June. And here is their reply:

You have received the following message regarding your Emergency/Group scheduling request:

Given the high volume of demand and limited resources we are unable to schedule an emergency student/exchange visitor visa appointment at this time.  Please continue to check for student/exchange visitor visa appointment availability as we add appointments when our staffing increases.

Well i plan to send them an email with my school in copy.

when is your school starting?

DanielAJ:
Please I would like to know if there are any undergraduate transcripts available because there transcripts are not rampant

send me your number let me add you to bachelor's degree group!.

Santanjack:
send me your number let me add you to bachelor's degree group!.

Kindly add me as well. 08128705159

Hello guys

My mum who works and lives in the UK would be sponsoring me. She’s also a legal resident..
Can this raise any suspicion to the VO?

.

Good day great minds! I got a GA scholarship at University of West Georgia, Carrollton a few days ago! Thank God! My program starts in August (this is really close and i'm quiet frantic with interview dates with the US embassy as i'm just about starting the process). I will be getting my I-20 in a few days. What are my chances of getting an interview date please? Please also add my to the date whatsapp group on 07067717883. Also anyone going to University of West Georgia, Carrollton or anyone that can help with any form of valuable information for a newbie like myself in this process, please send me an email on paultaiwo934@gmail.com or whatsapp. Thank you and God bless all of our efforts. Amen!

I just started my application and could not find a date. My school resumes 10th of august, what should i do?How can I be added to the whatsapp udate group as well

Paultaiwo101:
Good day great minds! I got a GA scholarship at University of West Georgia, Carrollton a few days ago! Thank God! My program starts in August (this is really close and i'm quiet frantic with interview dates with the US embassy as i'm just about starting the process). I will be getting my I-20 in a few days. What are my chances of getting an interview date please? Please also add my to the date whatsapp group on 07067717883. Also anyone going to University of West Georgia, Carrollton or anyone that can help with any form of valuable information for a newbie like myself in this process, please send me an email on paultaiwo934@gmail.com or whatsapp. Thank you and God bless all of our efforts. Amen!

Relax
We are in the same boat
I'm getting my funding letter next week, and my start date is in August. Yet to start any process
I've been assured that we will get interview dates. Just join a search group and be prayerful.

Please add me to Abuja WhatsApp groups for date. Please anyone.

08132511170

Good evening Nairalanders, please can anyone help me with duolingo study materials

Tirinng, thank you for your response. I will actually be getting my funding letter in July. But I'm already working on getting my I-20. On my I-20, it will show that my dad and myself will be funding the admission. The I-20 will not show the scholarship. But by my interview date, the offer letter will be ready so I can show the VO. I hope this is fine as well. Thank you.

Please also reach out to me via 07067717883 on whatsapp.

I got admitted to The University Of Cincinnati for a Masters. Who else is going there guys??

Post a notice on your school notice board via your portal you will get them

Dayoaf:
Hi guys
Please does anyone have a connect to Nigerian students group in Philadelphia or Pennsylvania??
PLEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE
Or if you attend Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia I’d like to connect please.

Exactly and some people said s/he was lying.

Tirinng:
Someone mentioned it here last week that a lot of people were rejected because of this reason

Paultaiwo101:
Tirinng, thank you for your response. I will actually be getting my funding letter in July. But I'm already working on getting my I-20. On my I-20, it will show that my dad and myself will be funding the admission. The I-20 will not show the scholarship. But by my interview date, the offer letter will be ready so I can show the VO. I hope this is fine as well. Thank you.

Please also reach out to me via 07067717883 on whatsapp.

I'm actually in the same situation with you.

He is right you can only send one free copy to the school any subsequent one it at a fee.
It is the same with all the standardized exams.
It is not a scam.
GRE is only valid for 2 yrs

isangjohnson:
The guy said my sister would have to pay the $250 before her gre result will be sent to the schools she applied to.
This information was not given to her before she paid the 50k for the registration last year October.
The guy that collected the money and registered her is NONSO by name.
Most guys here should know him.
He even told my sister to register again.
Could you imagine.
Please, I need help here.

Mosun88:
Anyone going to utsa

I'm applying for the school for summer 2023, how long do they take for admission processes and are admissions competitive ?

Funke894:
Hello guys

My mum who works and lives in the UK would be sponsoring me. She’s also a legal resident..
Can this raise any suspicion to the VO?

you are good to go,I know someone who sponsor is his elder brother in UK as a doctor

Funke894:
Hello guys

My mum who works and lives in the UK would be sponsoring me. She’s also a legal resident..
Can this raise any suspicion to the VO?

you are good to go,I know someone who sponsor is his elder brother in UK as a doctor and his visa was approved

Paultaiwo101:
Tirinng, thank you for your response. I will actually be getting my funding letter in July. But I'm already working on getting my I-20. On my I-20, it will show that my dad and myself will be funding the admission. The I-20 will not show the scholarship. But by my interview date, the offer letter will be ready so I can show the VO. I hope this is fine as well. Thank you.

Please also reach out to me via 07067717883 on whatsapp.

I guess that should be ok
Ummzayd Moshkom Nigpatriot have more knowledge on this
Sending you a WhatsApp message

Paultaiwo101:
Tirinng, thank you for your response. I will actually be getting my funding letter in July. But I'm already working on getting my I-20. On my I-20, it will show that my dad and myself will be funding the admission. The I-20 will not show the scholarship. But by my interview date, the offer letter will be ready so I can show the VO. I hope this is fine as well. Thank you.

Please also reach out to me via 07067717883 on whatsapp.

Uhn just to chip in on this. Why don't you wait for them to update your i-20 before going for your interview? The thing is, the VO might not ask to see the award letter and you don't want to miss this visa opportunity. But if you can update your i-20 before going, the VO will be forced to obviously look at whatever is on it.

My answer will be bolded under your questions

Radarada08:
Hi guys. Please I have some questions to ask the int'l graduate students who are currently in USA (I don't know if anyone has asked them before).

1) How do you cater for yourself? For people who receive GA/TA monthly stipends, is it usually sufficient for you for the entire month, especially after paying rent and other course fees? If yes, great! If no, what do you do to supplement it? (Besides asking for help from your family).
Some people do under the table jobs
2) Are there other on campus jobs you can combine with your GA position (maybe for 2-3 hrs) that can pay you (just to make ends meet, especially if you don't rely on your family)?
I know F-1 students have 20hrs/week to work. But a student told me on LinkedIn that her GA is actually 23hrs. Hence my question.

You can not do any other job on or off campus legally in addition to GA
As for time I try to have fragments on my daily so as to have 23 hrs from which tax would be taken

3) How did you sort out your accommodation in the US before leaving Nigeria? Most of the students I've spoken with on LinkedIn said they had friends that they squatted with for a few months. What if you don't have any friend there? Are there websites once can check for available apartments (PS: I'm going to Tennessee).

I asked international student office to give me list of property managers/landlords known by the school and I was given a whole list of their contact.
I then when to their websites to see what they had after which I contacted them.
We had a video tour then I paid reservation deposit from Nigeria.
We also agreed that if I don't like the place when I got here he would show me other properties to choose from.
I told my landlord when I was going to come in so he kept my key in the kitchen drawer and gave me the access code to the main entrance.
I signed an initial contract of 3 months Incase I don't like the place again.

I did this because I didn't know anybody and I came with 2 kids, 16 months old and 6yrs so I needed to settle down before lectures started.

4) How much will you advise an int'l student to enter the US with? Just something substantial enough to cover accommodation, feeding, and other miscellaneous expenses, pending when they start receiving their GA stipend?

Come with enough money to pay at least one semester school fees including all you mentioned above.
Even without that if you up to $3000. You should be fine.
The truth is get in
Get a place to stay
Pay tuition deposit
Put your ears and eyes on the ground to hear the foot steps of the ants.

Some schools only give GA if you have a GPA of 3.0 and above.

for food use the pantries till you stabilize use this link to get one close to you

https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank



@chibertha, @UmmZayd, @beejhay69, @Walspring, etc. (And any other person who can contribute to the questions asked).

Thanks.

chibertha:
My answer will be bolded under your questions

Thank you! This was really helpful.
If you don't mind please, can you share more details about the answer to the 2nd question?

My brother, the offer will be coming in by July, I don't want to be too late before I book a date, July is too far, cos my program starts in August. I'm thinking, I'll just also go with the offer letter to the interview and the first thing I'd say when I get there is I have a GA scholarship with my offer letter present. God is in control. Nothing will be missed up. Amen!

UmmZayd:
Uhn just to chip in on this. Why don't you wait for them to update your i-20 before going for your interview? The thing is, the VO might not ask to see the award letter and you don't want to miss this visa opportunity. But if you can update your i-20 before going, the VO will be forced to obviously look at whatever is on it.

damtan:
I'm slightly confused here on this US journey.
I just gained admission into Western Illinois university but a SOA showing a balance of $22600 is needed or Sponsor account statement is needed for I-20 to be issued.

Never knew the cost would be that much from the research I made before applying to the school.

If I apply for any form if funding be it TA or Graduate Assistance job and favoured enough to be have a contract, how many percent discount is likely to be given?

More so, about the sponsor, if I get a sponsor SOA be it someone in Nigeria or US, must the payment be made before Visa application? If payment is not needed to be made and I'm fortunate enough to get a visa, can I travel and get a full funding there?

Right now, I can't even think of anyone that can sponsor me by paying such huge amount

Please how did you send all your documents please i need help

Friedpotato:
Visa Approved
Undergraduate
Funding: Full ride
Graduated high school 2013
Second attempt.
Abuja Embassy
White V.O

Noticed from transcripts posted on here that the white V.O usually comes early and the black V.O starts later, so I decided to go very early even though my appointment was 8:15. I got there by 6:20 but the interview started few minutes to 9.

Me: Good morning
V.O: Good morning

Me: Before we start, I'd like to say that I'm very nervous and when I'm nervous, my talking is fast and distorted so if you don't hear what I'm saying just tell me to repeat it.
V.O: Don't worry, no reason to be nervous. So why are you going to the United States.

Me: I would be going to continue by undergraduate degree in biology at Edward Waters college in Florida. I started taking classes for the fall semester in Nigeria because of the pandemic and ended with a 4.0 GPA, I have my result with me.
V.O: wow, 4.0, that's great. (Then, Takes a look at my I-20), oh I can see you have a full ride, that's great.

V.O: (looks at me and sees that I'm kind of nervous) no need to be nervous.

V.O: so what will this degree do for you?
Me: I love biology, it's like my favourite subject in high school but most importantly I plan to pursue a career in biomedical research and biology would be a great foundational course for me. Also, this degree would enable me work at the Centre for excellence in reproductive health initiative where my uncle works.

V.O: Good, so where is this place you say your uncle works? Lagos or Abuja?
Me: Benin.

V.O: I intended to issue you your visa, this form contains information on how to pick your passport.

I'm really very happy and I thank everyone on NL. I started this journey in 2018 and I'm glad that God has crowned it with success. I paid MRV four times between November and now. Thankfully all the money I've used since I got admitted from SEVIS to MRV four times to samsung tablet, data and feeding while I was taking online class were external scholarships I got while taking classes this fall. Nothing is too much for God to do at all.

Please which scholarship did you apply for and how did you do it?