₦airaland Forum

Adunola20:
PPR Alert! Long post alert!

I got my PPR this morning! All glory be to God!

Timeline
Submission: 5th July 2020
Medical request: 25th July 2020 (I did upfront medicals)
AIP: 6th August 2020
Medical passed: 30th September 2020
Submission of an outstanding document: 28th October 2020
BVL: 29th October 2020
PPR: 30th October 2020

I just feel like sharing this. Maybe someone will feel encouraged.

This journey started in 2018 and I have had failures and victories. In the end, all things have worked for my good.
August 2018: Got admission into Uottawa with funding of $18,000. Resumption was in September, I felt it was too late to apply for a study permit and the funds were not sufficient. The school does not accept deferrals so admission was cancelled and I reapplied.
November 2018: I applied for funding through my employer from the federal government.
December 2018: My admission letter from Uottawa arrived, with $9000 funding. Miraculously, it arrived the very day the government's funding agency requested for it.
Sometime between June and July 2019: I was told an embargo had been placed on the government's scholarship till further notice. My family and I prayed.
August 2019: Embargo was lifted.
September 2019: My admission at Uottawa was cancelled because I could not register on the last day of registration.
October 2019: My scholarship from the government arrived. Obviously, it was too late to do anything. They have a principle that scholarship recipients must not change their institution, otherwise, the scholarship will be cancelled.
Unfortunately, my supervisor at Uottawa was relocating to Australia so I had to find a new supervisor. I wrote to a lot of Professors, I changed my research to suit their individual research interests. About three showed interest but, one by one, they wrote back to me that they were no longer interested. Please note, I wrote to them at different times, and I waited for a while before asking another person. At that point, Uottawa was no longer possible.
I decided to apply to other schools.
As far back as 2017, I had noticed UBC. On their admission requirement, they requested for GRE. I was not interested in writing GRE so I never applied. This time around I decided to send an email to the school to ask whether GRE was compulsory. I did and they said, it can be waived and it was not compulsory for everyone. So I did my Masters in UK and graduated with Distinction so it was waived.

February 2020: Eventually, I gained admission into UBC with minimum funding and other scholarships. My plan was to travel with my kids so I still needed more funds. Although I was told that change of institution was going disastrous, I had no choice. I wrote to the governmental agency and asked for a change of institution.

Coronavirus pandemic interfered

July 2020: I still didn't have a letter from the government's agency. My husband and I prayed and we felt led to apply without an updated letter from the agency. The immigration at my school advised against it, they suggested I went for the letter (logically, they were right). My husband and I believed it was the right time to apply. I applied for my kids and I.

October 24th: My letter from the government's funding agency arrived after 8 months. Imagine what would have happened if I waited for them. Hmm

October 28th: Sent the letter via webform to Nairobi

October 29th: BVL arrived
October 30th: PPR arrived.

I fasted for every day till 12 noon from May to September. Prayed!

I am not sharing this to mock anyone who was rejected. From the story, its obvious I have had my fair share of rejections. I was rejected by UToronto and UCalgary too! I prayed then too. It was a learning experience for me. I am sharing this to encourage anyone who has faced rejection and uncertainties in this journey. Hold on! I felt like giving up many times and settle for a PhD here in Nigeria despite the obvious challenges. It was an easier option. But God had a plan for me, and He fulfilled it in His time.

Have faith in God! He never disappoints His children!

By the way, this is a summary of the experience!


Documents
The necessary IMM forms for my kids and I
Proof of funds:
Table of content
Letter of explanation (In my proof of funds, I included a letter of explanation specifically to explain the situation with my scholarships and other things related to funds that I felt needed explanation. For each explanation, I listed the documents to support it.)
Bank statements
Letter of introduction from bank
Scholarship letter from my school
Scholarship letter from the government's agency (stating University of Ottawa)
Letter of attestation from my employer stating that my updated scholarship award letter will eventually be released.
Emails sent to the government agency
Payslips
Employment letter
Letter of introduction from my university

Letter of explanation
Statement of purpose (A post from Goingforward and other guides from my school were very helpful)
CV
Transcripts and certificates
Pictures of my family and I
My father's pension statement, promotion letter, ID card
My husband's employment letter, admission letter to a school in Nigeria, CAC registration, picture of his farm
Evidence that the PhD is a requirement to be Senior Lecturer (to show job progression)
Land properties of my father, husband and I

For home ties: I organised it into three sections; Financial, Family and Job.
I had quite a number of documents so I put a lot of effort into the organisation. I made sure every document was serving a specific purpose.

Children
Birth cert
School records
Immunization records
Evidence of being on the waitlist of daycare in Canada

Huge thanks to everyone for making this community alive.

Advice:
1. Pray. God hears. It is important we hear when He speaks too.
2. Be sincere. (Someone here once advised on appealing to the emotions of the VO. I think its good but it should be realistic. At the end of my SOP, I wrote that my scholarships were my only hope and if I rejected, that is the end of the dream)
3. Organise your work. Use a table of content.
4. Read through your work to detect areas of your application that may raise doubts for the VO. Try to be as objective as possible. Give it to others to read for you. If your school has an immigration service, use them well.
5. Take time to prepare your application. Don't rush. Take your time.

These are my thoughts. I am not a guru.



Please madam about the bolded how did you proof that? I really need it too

skull4eva:
Sent you a mail now

fratermathy:
You can send to me via pm...

Dovelove543:
Sample of gifted Deed letter


DEED OF GIFT

This Deed was made on 2nd July 2020 between

Mr xxxxxxxxx (‘Donor’) of No. 5,xxxxxxxxxxxx street, Onitsha, Kano State.
and
Mr ppppppppppp (‘Donee’) of No. 13, uuuuuuu street, Ikare, Lagos, Nigeria.

This document records the Donor’s gift of money (described in the
Schedule 1 below) to the Donee under the following terms and conditions:

1. The Donor guarantees that this gift of money is being made out of his own funds.
2. That this gift is given to the Donee for the support of his studies and no other consideration.
3. The donor confirms that the gift is irrevocable and I have no claim left whatsoever on the said gifted amount and the Donee is free to utilise it in any manner for the stated purpose.
4. On the date nominated in Clause 7, the Donor agrees to give to the Donee title to the money in the transaction described in the Schedule, absolutely and in perpetuity.
5. The Donor agrees and declares on the date specified in Clause 7 the Deed will be absolute, whether or not the Donor is alive and that this Deed binds all representatives of the Donor.
6. The Donor declares they have entered into this Deed of their own free will, voluntarily and without influence.
7. The date of the transfer of money is: 2nd July 2020.


Schedule 1

Transaction Details
The sum of Three thousand Naira

{Put the details of transaction here or the cheque details)

SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED
by Mr XXXXXXXX (Donor)


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

Signature of Donor



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

Signature of Witness


The Donee accepts your unconditional gift of the money in the attached Schedule. The Donee acknowledges in accordance with your expresses intention that it now has full title to, and responsibility for the gifted money.


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

Signature of Donee



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

Signature of Witness





All the best

Mille:
Sorry if I'm derailing but I just want to rant here.

I applied thinking my masters GPA was 3.7. I basically just converted my overall masters grade from my grading system to the canadian one, using the international grade equivalency on their website. If they had done it semester by semester, it would have been 3.8. But they did it course by course and now I'm left with a 3.44 grade.

Please what are my chances. I applied to McGill and Utoronto for both funded masters and PhD.

Engager69:
Only issue I sense here is that, won’t the VO raise eye brows on why your uncle is going to use almost all his funds on you, plus you guys don’t bare same surname. Why would your uncle having 65k spend about 50-60k on you? He would be left with 5k after sponsoring you. Those he not have dependents of his own? This is a question begging for an answer bro.. this is RED bro

Onweke:
I already have around 7 million before I submitted my application in June 2020 and my application was refused due to finance and weak home ties. I vexed and invested 2m in business. So the fund in the account is 5m since July. I want to reapply but need to top up the funds to 10m. Looking for a possible way to do it professionally without another refusal. I have a wife and a 5 months baby. Wife is working, Mum is working.

vibrant99:
A Sponsorship letter can be written as formal letter, no need for Affidavit .

The person sponsoring you would or may have an establishment here in Nigeria, let the person use the letter head of his/her company and do a note in it, it is very sturdy and would pass the litmus test... If they don't, they should put the bank account, name and possibly a line that defines the origin of the account till date.

All this Affidavit have no special effect, it is seen as a common paper in their hand.

This days, they don't take us too serious to consider tha[b][/b]t area of my government.

Chocs:
Hello skull4eva

A sponsorship letter is written and signed by the sponsor while an affidavit of sponsorship is done in court. You’re swearing before the court that the words put down are true (like with every other affidavit)

I found a sample online. Please find it attached below.

Pm seen and responded to.

Best wishes.

Chocs:
Hello skull4eva

It seems you’re keen on reapplying and no one can convince you not to Well there’s no harm in trying.

You’ve improved your profile significantly. Please get an affidavit of sponsorship from your uncle stating he will be responsible for tuition for the program, if he can state a specific amount he’ll be putting forward for that, it would be great. And he should mention that your tuition has been paid by him and he will pay for the next 3 years etc. in the sponsorship letter.

Don’t forget to work on your SOP(statement of purpose thoroughly) please get a guru in the house to read through and make corrections. You can also explain your reasons for not having a travel history. Attach an amazing resume/CV to your client information.

Explain why spending so much on the degree would be worth it, how it will benefit you and your career. With specific examples. Also attach a LOE (explaining how you have addressed every of the visa officer’s concerns)

Also attach a proof of the deed of gift, stating it alone might not be enough.

The above is my personal opinion, others in the house might disagree.

Best wishes

Chocs:
Hello skull4eva

It seems you’re keen on reapplying and no one can convince you not to Well there’s no harm in trying.

You’ve improved your profile significantly. Please get an affidavit of sponsorship from your uncle stating he will be responsible for tuition for the program, if he can state a specific amount he’ll be putting forward for that, it would be great. And he should mention that your tuition has been paid by him and he will pay for the next 3 years etc. in the sponsorship letter.

Don’t forget to work on your SOP(statement of purpose thoroughly) please get a guru in the house to read through and make corrections. You can also explain your reasons for not having a travel history. Attach an amazing resume/CV to your client information.

Explain why spending so much on the degree would be worth it, how it will benefit you and your career. With specific examples. Also attach a LOE (explaining how you have addressed every of the visa officer’s concerns)

Also attach a proof of the deed of gift, stating it alone might not be enough.

The above is my personal opinion, others in the house might disagree.

Best wishes

vibrant99:
Basic schools, we will say Averagely ...

PhD fees is 8k CAD, if i know anyone who didn’t get funding and got admitted I will press them on to go ahead with it.
There are just too many opportunities waiting for you but because it is dressed in work clothes , we run away.

People read too many internet blogs and write ups, and you just wonder, PhD can take you anywhere in this entire world and render you opportunities in the most unlike places ever imagined.

A friend left for PhD in Canada in 2012, and when he got there , he was happy he has finally made the Canadian trip until he started seeing a different perspective to it , He applied for a Job in academia in a University in Qatar , and he was invited , he passed interview.
He is currently the head of his department at 37yrs, earns in Pounds Sterling that someone in Canada only prays for, and he just uploaded a pics on on his I.G saying “Qatarian”....

You don’t know where you are heading but you some how have a picture of your destination, it may actually be a “Lay-By”.... the bigger picture can even be Singapore, Thailand ..... Australia , UK (funny enough, I have a friend who got a Job in UK and left Canada)...

Just work hard at ur education first .

Trip2:
Are you talking out of experience or mere assumptions?By guaranteed funding does not imply that the funding can not be rescinded. I am telling you without any fear of contradiction that funding for PhD students are rescinded once the student is not succeeding in his or her research work. Are u not also aware that students who apply with only showing funding from the school are Also refused study permit because they did not show funding on their part mostly especially students coming from developing countries.? I am talking from experience and not mere logic.
quote author=fratermathy post=94108943]

Some universities give what they call "guaranteed minimum funding". Not all funding comes from supervisors. In fact, in many schools the funding comes from the department or other internal sources rather than from the supervisor. Basically, the VO doesn't even need your personal SoA if you have a minimum "guaranteed" funding letter. Although it's always advised to add your personal SoA for all visa applications.

Funding from supervisors cannot be rescinded once applied. It's an automated process. Once you get a signed letter with a specific duration of funding, it holds. The only issue is if the duration doesn't exceed one year. In that case, the student can have some issues in the following years should funding not be available.

For PhD students, I'd advise that they always get minimum guaranteed funding for 4 years. Most of my friends at McGill, Concordia and Alberta have minimum guaranteed funding of at least C$20,000 per year for 4 years. This amount can be supplemented by TA/RAships, external scholarships or supervisor's grants. They are all in the Humanities/Social Sciences.

It is only in the pure sciences that supervisors can fully fund their students and so I don't know how things operate with that system.

fratermathy:
Your questions weren't directed to me but I want to comment on the last questions.

Basically, no one should do a PhD if they are not interested in working as academics. It makes no sense to do a PhD simply because you want to do it or feel like doing it. It's only in Nigeria that egotistical persons do PhDs just for the title. In North America, a PhD doesn't make you special. It only means that you're a researcher/teacher.

Like you said, PhD students increase the profile of the university generally. This is why they prefer hiring applicants with research and publication experience. The more you publish under the banner of the university, the more visible the university becomes. Ultimately, your dissertation will make an original contribution to knowledge and you'd be doing so with the university's name. Your presence in the university can also attract huge funding and endowments to the university. We can argue that the university benefits more from this arrangement and that is why a PhD student should NEVER pay for the program.

A PhD program takes time, energy and drains you. Why should you pay for it? Job opportunities are limited to the academia or some specialist or research agencies. However, those who go for a PhD actually love academics so it works well for them. You shouldn't go for a PhD in Canada because you just want to migrate. It makes no sense to go through that stress just because you want to be in Canada when there are easier shortcuts that can be used.

To answer Osemigho, the cons of doing a PhD outweigh the pros. However, the most important factor is fulfilment. You do a PhD because you are passionate about it and when you finish, regardless of all odds, you'll be happy you did it. In terms of jobs, get ready to look for jobs mostly in the USA as offers are limited and competitive in Canada.

Ayodeji786:
Please check with Dr. Thomas Raymond at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. He’s having active research positions for PhD. If anything further please reach out to me. I could help you asper guide to get MITACS accelerate funding as well. Would guide you as per the Mitacs so you and your supervisor can submit a research proposal to the funding agency

I hope this help.

Phatkayconcept:
Skull4eva

A lot of people have excitedly proffer a solution to your case, but, like many of us, I think you want to be adamant and be in a hurry.

Why did I said many of us? Sometimes, in January, I got Admission to uOttawa with an msc course based admission - no funding. Even though I applied to about 10 schools, USA and Canada. As expected, I was looking for finance up and down and the situation was not really encouraging.

It was particularly frustrating, because I graduated with a first class. But then, I was lucky to meet someone on here, whose words of encouragement shaped my excitement to try again. In her words, she said why the rush. Try other schools. 3 months after that discussion, I got another admission, faster than I ever imagined, and it covers almost all my tuition.

So, I would encourage, don't be in an unnecessary rush and weaken your profile. Re package your profile, re do your resume, brush up your Sop, research interest. Mail profs in your current school and tell them about the need for funding. Infact, you may be surprised that their is funding for you in the same dept.. if you don't ask, some schools won't say anything. Ask your supervisor, ask the dept, ask the faculty.

If nothing happens, look elsewhere, narrow your search to few other schools and see what may happen. However, if you are unwilling to try again. Then I can only wish you good luck in your next application.

For your next application, while you are strengthening the financial package for your file, remember to package your personal asset, package your wife resources while they stay behind, present a reasonable financial outlook for your family while you are away.

All the luck.

vibrant99:
My best advice is to reapply with the same school, cut everyone lose and fly solo, get back to me on the success story....

As per finance you know what to do!!!

vibrant99:
No one pays for it anyway, unless your percentage isn’t enough, so they give out spaces for eventual “university ratings”.....

A University must have a PhD student all round the clock of the year.... this universities in Canada we are even talking are rated like 1000th position in the world o, left for the immigration laws ....

But it is helping them strongly , that’s what made UK schools today!

Rubbie21:
Hi there,
Sorry about the refusal but can I say that you shouldn't be in a hurry to submit another application. PhD is funds consuming and I wouldn't suggest you use all your personal funds for this purpose, at least get a partial funding. Getting a co sponsor as well in this case may not settle the VO's concerns on a financial stability because you still have your family here to cater for, how do you resolve that? In my opinion, try and get a funding however small as it will go a long way with your application.

Rubbie21:
Hi there,
Sorry about the refusal but can I say that you shouldn't be in a hurry to submit another application. PhD is funds consuming and I wouldn't suggest you use all your personal funds for this purpose, at least get a partial funding. Getting a co sponsor as well in this case may not settle the VO's concerns on a financial stability because you still have your family here to cater for, how do you resolve that? In my opinion, try and get a funding however small as it will go a long way with your application.

whizqueen:
I believe you should stand a better chance if you address the POF issue & ties to home country. What you’ve stated above should work perfectly fine

Also touch on everything else you think will raise a concern in your SOP.

Goodluck this time