Leyemoshood:
Is the SEVIS Fee same for all Msc students? cos i just received an I-20 via email now and the SEVIS FEE information is not included, somebody help?

Yes its the same.

Tabby1:
Congrats on your successful interview.

Please can u assist with the email address,
I have sent mails and even fill the form sent to me via link, all I got was they will get back to me, they have a lot of applications.

Please I also need interview tips, am applying with my 6yrs old daughter, hubby is staying back very busy with work. Also let me d content of d mail indicating the urgency, I had stated my date of resumption as January.

Which form did you fill ma. How did you get it?

BrTune:
Thanks everyone for your well wishes.

I have had to travel a lot, so I have decent experience in visa interviews. Even though I have never been denied a visa, for some reason I felt jittery and apprehensive about this particular interview, so I understand the anxiety most of you feel, but try to stay calm and focused on your goal. We will all be fine, eventually.

In answer to some of the questions:

Reciprocity fee is 42,900.

I specifically requested my school to send a new I-20 after the dates were changed. I didn't want to, but my brother insisted and said he will pay, so I avoid any issues. since he was paying I ordered a new I-20. Paid FedEx 85bucks.

I did not fill in a new DS-160, the old I-20 and the new I-20 carried all the same info, except start date which changed. But I remember that from the start, I filled in January as my start date. So if your start date is still reflecting September/Aug, please fill a new DS-160.

Try to avoid inconsistency at all costs, a guy was rejected because even though he was given full funding, his I-20 said 50% funding. Review ur I-20 for errors or discrepancy upon receipt.

Try to appear confident and calm

Finally, if you believe in God, PRAY, it works!

Please post all inquiries here, I am unable to access my email atm.

Also, Every single country I ever travelled to, I HAVE ALWAYS DONE EVERYTHING MYSELF AND AVOIDED AGENTS LIKE THE PLAGUE. Read and follow the instructions, if u are applying for F1 you are probably literate and computer savvy.

May the odds forever be in our favour!

You said you put in strong words to get the date I would love if you could help me out with that.

Anybodie:


Try a different network. Etisalat worked for me when I experienced this same issue using MTN

Thanks I will do that. So it could be the network.

Evans211:
Visa Approved!!

Profile-
Program: MA Political Science
GPA- 3.28/4
Deficits- $6,677
GRE- 318
School- Texas Tech University (Spring)



I had a very concise interview. Before I proceed into proper details, permit to use this medium to thank Samuel (Sammy like I fondly call), Fortune, Fairheart, Mathew, Francis, Acers family, and a host of others I am yet to mention; these amazing lads gave me the mock interview and confidence (some deadly guts) to face my fears.

Sunday (4th Oct, 2020) is just like every other day where I casually mailed Lagos consulate with a view of booking an expedited appointment with no much expectations. I barely recall sending a mail that Sunday! On Monday morning, I got a mail from lagos consulate slating an appointment by Friday! FRIDAY? that must be a huge joke! How could I possibly pay sevis fee, fill my DS-160 form, get an updated I-20 to spring, going through the hassles of documents printing in just 4 days?! Hell no... I'm skipping this appointment. I was so damn sure about this on Monday but by Tuesday morning, I reflect on my thoughts and realized how golden this opportunity is. I presented my case before these great guys, Samuel and fortune who offered to help with documents printing errands and transcript drafting respectively, while I take care of other tasks.

Wasn't really thinking of the mock interview preparations until Thursday afternoon after arriving at my lodge close to the Lagos consulate at VI. It was a tedious experience filled with funny memories.

Thanks to the virtual mock interview organized by Mathew, Sam, Francis et al where I was given a friendly but yet, rigorous drilling, critiquing my transcripts which helped in boosting my confidence. Studied through the night with an open but yet prayerful mind...


By morning, I headed straight to the consulate; tho a walkable distance but I booked a cab. Upon my arrival, I focused my gaze on the scanty applicants (about 35 in total) contrary to the usual expectations. I shaped my mind and blended with the cue while I await my faith. Waited for about half an hour before the rain started (that's a story for another day). The CGFI official instructed us on the document arrangements while we align on a single line heading straight to the interview unit..............

The VO is in window 9, probably in his mid 30s. A very wonderful and yet witty conversationalist. He denied about 4 applicants ahead of me and issued 3 approvals. I won’t lie, my morale was dampened but I kept a straight face. A lady just ahead of me was literally begging the VO to reconsider his denial and almost not leaving the spot! (In my head I was like, hey pretty! Leave that spot before you annoy the VO.. don’t implicate me pls........)

Here goes my interview with the VO ���


VO: Good morning, pass me your passport and I-20.

Me: I obliged.

VO: What are you going to do in the US ?

me: I am going for a Master’s degree in Political science with Concentration in International Relations and Public Policy, in Texas Tech University, Lubbock.

VO: not a single word from him as he kept typing......(I wasn’t sure if he heard me but I kept my cool).. So who is sponsoring your studies?

Me- Well, I was offered a Graduate teaching assistantships with full tuition waiver and some monthly stipends to help offset my living expenses and my uncle will help with the deficits.

VO: ...keeps typing for a couple of seconds, this time around a bit longer than usual. So what does your uncle do?

Me- He works as a Real estate Developer and owns a wholesale supermarket.

VO: where does he work at?

Me: Lagos

VO: okay. ...keeps typing.... So where did you graduate from ?

Me- The University of Ibadan in May, 2018

VO: Have you ever travelled out of the country ?

Me- No sir, I had no reason to.

VO- Are you married ?

Me- No sir.

VO: What is your program start date?

Me: 04 January, 2021

VO: Oh! You said you graduated from University of Ilorin?

Me: No sir, I graduated from the University of Ibadan.

VO: I see... Okay. I will be approving your Visa. have your reciprocity fee paid at window 23 and make sure you make travel plans not more than 30 days before your program start date.. you will need your I-20 at the POE ...........blah blah blah... I smiled as he utter the golden words!!!

From what I observed, the interview lasted less than 2 minutes! No other documents requested. Financial statement was handy but he never asked.

Congratulations boss. You made it.

I am also going to Texas tech. I hope you still remember me.

Please I would love it if we can talk so you put me through on how you applied for the expedited visa.

This will mean a lot. Thanks. Hope to hear from you soon.

Chibzee2:
who here is finding it difficult filling or completing the ds-160. The site keeps acting out on me

Same thing here

Hi all.

I have been trying to fill the DS 160 but the site keeps timing out randomly or takes me back to the first page.

I have tried different browsers and devices. I will love to know if this is normal or something is wrong. Like a general experience.

Northeastern:
Texas Tech is being proactive here.

You can be in your house in Nigeria and be performing GA duties and getting paid.

No GRE or TOEFl? No problem.

My department is not even responding to my email since last year. I have gotten admission but no direct contact with the department.

Dgreatestt:


Hi, My GA came separately after admission, some weeks after actually. But you can mail your GC to ask about funding update.

If you have been accepted to Texas Tech for this Fall, kindly DM let's connect.

Stay safe all.

Sent you a Email.

Dgreatestt:


Hi, My GA came separately after admission, some weeks after actually. But you can mail your GC to ask about funding update.

If you have been accepted to Texas Tech for this Fall, kindly DM let's connect.

Stay safe all.

I have been accepted but no funding.

Tella26:
My department is EE so every department has their admin coordinator I guess. And I dont know if that is your department.

Mine is Architecture. It's really sad. No response yet.

Tella26:
On my own case, I got admission without any indication of funding on my admission letter. So I had to send email to Academic Administrative Coordinator who actually asked me to apply that I may qualify for Scholarship. Then she emailed and confirmed to me that my admission status shows scholarship. And I emailed admission team also, so they confirm to me as well and, tell me my deficit which will be on my I20. They also said Scholarships are not indicated even on Raiderlink ( Students' portal) until the student register for courses. So, Yes, you might have admission with scholarship in which it is only admission that you will receive an email but not funding.

Thanks. Please is there a way you can share the email address of the Admin unit you emailed, i have been emailing my department right from the application period but no response from them.

For those that got into Texas Tech, where you notified of your GA or scholarship immediately on your admission letter or did you have to wait for that. Thanks

arcTY:
Good evening house,

I sent a mail to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, asking them when can i send my new statement of account for the release of my new I-20....the response I got was 'you can send your updated financial guarantee on or about feb28, 2020.
My question is what do they mean by the word 'on or about feb 28, 2020'?

Hmmm.

Ok ooo.

On means, you can send it on that very 28 of February.
About means, you can send it before the very 28 of February of around that period.

So to be on a safe side, send it before 28 or on 28.

Ernestamy:
Hello N.L Family,
Greetings of the day to you all. I need help please. I have been lost admission to two schools now..l don't know what the problem is. Am so worried and afraid of what mite me be the outcome of the rest.
Profile:
GPA- 3.61/5.0
Bsc- Estate Management
Msc-Urban and Regional planning
GRE-285
Admitted- Ball state university
Rejected- University of Utah and University of Iowa.
Pending - Cleveland state university, University of Nebraska, University of Florida, University of Albany.
Help a sister. I need assistance house..

Assistance with what? From you post i think you are done applying so all you need now is to pray. And believe the other school will favour you.

Kolping:
5 Reasons Why You Should Not Pay for Graduate School Out of Pocket
Feb 13, 2020
https://www.profellow.com/tips/5-reasons-why-you-should-not-pay-for-graduate-school-out-of-pocket/

By ProFellow Founder, Dr. Vicki Johnson

Many people come to ProFellow seeking information on funding awards for graduate school, including students already enrolled and racking up debt, or people aspiring to enter graduate school who are put off by the high cost and huge risk of taking out loans.

Well I’m about to tell you a big secret. You CAN achieve a high-quality master’s or doctoral degree without the financial risk. Here are 5 reasons why you should not pay for graduate school out of your own pocket or through taking on student debt.

1. There are hundreds of high-quality fully funded graduate programs, as well as full funding awards, to achieve a Ph.D. or master’s degree
When I was first considering pursuing a graduate degree in my 20’s, I made the mistake of searching the internet for “scholarships” to fund a master’s or doctoral degree. Even if I had used the word “fellowships” in my search, I would have come up short. The majority of funding for graduate students to complete their degrees comes from the universities themselves. There are a good number of graduate programs offer their accepted students “full funding” – which means full tuition coverage and an annual stipend for living expenses for the duration of your studies! These funds usually come in the form of an Assistantship or Studentship, which is a part-time university employment opportunity exclusively for graduate students.

Unfortunately, early in my career I had no knowledge of “fully funded” graduate programs. I wanted to achieve a top graduate degree in Public Health but my choices of programs were limited to those I could “afford” (with loans!). I quickly ruled out a Ph.D. due to my assumptions about the cost of a 5-year program and in 2006, I completed a 1-year MSc in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Although this program was “cheaper” than comparable 2-year master’s programs in the U.S., I still had to take on five figures in student loans, work part-time in a call center while studying, and apply for an external research grant.

Fortunately, several years later in 2011, I was personally invited to apply to a PhD program at Massey University in New Zealand and was directly offered a “full funding” package – my full tuition covered and an annual stipend of $25,000 per year! It was during this late period in my career that I discovered the world of fully funded graduate programs! I discovered there were many more graduate programs like this one offering full funding to their accepted students.

To further ProFellow’s mission of helping people discover funding opportunities for graduate school, I created a FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards listing more than 500 fully funded Ph.D. and master’s programs and full funding awards in more than 40 disciplines. Get the FREE Directory here!

2. Being saddled with student debt from graduate school will be more detrimental to your career than having no graduate degree
I’ve discovered that most readers of ProFellow.com are working in the social impact sector – public service, non-profits, teaching, STEM, journalism, public health, creative arts, advocacy, philanthropy and social entrepreneurship. A career in social impact can provide purpose and meaning to our lives, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always provide the financial compensation necessary to afford tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in graduate school tuition and living expenses.

If you intend to pursue a graduate degree to advance your career in social impact, you may find yourself at a disappointing crossroads when faced with the decision of how you will pay down your student debt. You may find yourself pursuing a salary, rather than pursuing your calling. At this juncture, you wouldn’t be the first person to conclude that those years you spent dedicated to a graduate degree would have been better spent on professional and volunteer pursuits in your career field.

If you can achieve full funding for your graduate degree, you can use that degree to pursue the career that you want, not the job you need to pay off your debt.

3. Completing your graduate degree debt-free makes the time commitment and opportunity cost of pursuing a graduate degree less risky
When considering graduate school, we all have to consider if it is worthwhile to stop working to achieve a degree. The pursuit of a full-time graduate degree will be a major or total reduction in your salary for the duration of your studies. However, if you receive full funding, including full tuition coverage and a modest stipend for living expenses, you will be in a much better position financially than if you have little to no salary PLUS tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in accruing student debt.

If you receive full tuition coverage and an annual stipend that is manageable for your living expenses, the time commitment of a degree and the opportunity cost of lost wages and time away from work will be a lot less imposing. Get the FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards to discover these programs!

4. The type and discipline of your graduate degree will have little to no impact on your career success
If you’re eyeing mid- to senior-level positions that require or prefer a master’s or doctoral degree, you might assume that you have to achieve a graduate degree in a specific discipline to be a strong candidate for those jobs. But have you ever noticed that job descriptions often ask for a graduate degree in specific disciplines “or a related discipline”? There is a HUGE amount of flexibility in that word “related”. Most jobs with graduate degree requirements just want to check the box that you have a graduate degree. In fact, as long as you can demonstrate in your job applications and interview that what you studied or researched is relevant and useful to the job you are applying to, the actual discipline of your degree matters little.

Therefore, if student debt is a concern, I would encourage you to exclusively pursue degree programs that are fully funded in a related discipline, rather than a degree in a popular discipline that is not funded. In the free Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards you can discover 500+ fully funded programs and awards in more than 40 disciplines!

That said, the reputation of your graduate school degree can matter. Online graduate programs offered by for-profit and non-competitive universities will often tout that they are “more affordable” than your on-campus options, because the credits are cheaper, they can be done remotely and can be finished part-time at your own pace. But buyer beware – graduate programs that accept anyone with a credit card can be virtually worthless in the professional world and ANY graduate degree that you have to pay for out-of-pocket is ultimately more expensive than a fully funded graduate program.

Beyond the reputation of your graduate program, there are other factors that have much more impact on your career success: your expertise, skills and professional network. The higher you go in your career, the more likely you will be hired through a referral. Therefore, the growth and quality of your professional network (sustained through hard work and the positive recognition of your skills, expertise and attitude) are what land you top jobs. Keep that in mind when you consider investing tens to thousands of dollars into a graduate degree.

5. You can get support through ProFellow to apply to graduate school and develop a competitive application – you don’t have to do this alone!
It’s true that applying to graduate school and earning acceptance is challenging, whether or not you are applying to a program that is fully funded. Many fully funded programs have a less than 10% acceptance rate! But there are many ways you can strengthen your application and give yourself an edge over other top candidates. And you don’t have to do this alone! First, be sure to join ProFellow Academy, which is a FREE online advising platform where we share articles, free short courses and tips on the application process. Thousands have joined this platform to ask me questions directly and get access to special content.

Also, starting in March 2020, you can join my new online course and mentorship program, Fully Funded, and learn the application secrets of multi-award winners to prepare a competitive application to fully funded Ph.D. and master’s programs and full funding awards, like a Fulbright, Pickering, Payne or Soros Fellowship. I have many success stories from my pilot program last year! Spots will be limited. Download the free Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards to get on the VIP list and be the first to know about Fully Funded when enrollment is open!

Best of luck in your quest for full funding!

Dr. Vicki Johnson is Founder and CEO of ProFellow, the world’s leading online resource for professional and academic fellowships. She is a four-time fellow, top Ph.D. scholar, Fulbright recipient and an award-winning social entrepreneur.

Download ProFellow’s FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards here.

© Victorian John 2020, all rights reserved

Not every course offer full ride. I have seen the list and my course lol, you hardly see full ride for masters program which you must do first before thinking about Ph.D. well it's not impossible. If you can get a full ride go for it.

ayitty:


Thank you. I forced him to do so but he is just lazy and wants me to spoon feed him

He is not ready then. This is not an easy process, if he wants it, he must be ready to go for it. Trust me SARS never harass am before, if they do nobody will force him to sit up and do the needful.

rkarang:


Yeah. But it looks like I have deficit... I’m yet to hear from ISS as regards this.

What department abi course where you admitted into.

rkarang:


I was thinking I would see estimated expenses there, so as to know if I have deficit

Do you have GA ?

rkarang:
Lightp, have you got BGSU graduate financial statement form?

Yes. Just search on google.. BGSU financial statement for graduate study. You will see it.

SmartKitty:

Ask your siblings to sign the financial support for your College / University, it will help to get your visa.

Are you sure abi serious about this. Won't they think you might not come back but stay there with them.

Guys do you think the VO knowing that you have siblings in the US will have any negative effect on your interview? They are residents they

LagosismyHome:




Instead of looking through people transcript to pick holes.... why dont you open your mind to a balance view of things. The point for and the point against so that when you make a decision it is an informed decision . Not just for school but life in general

Not every arguement against a topic is about bitter, trash jealousy or some other stupid words people use easily .

Experience is usually the best teacher and it's very powerful sometimes hearing from other experiences. It makes you gain insight and learn what ever mistake or enhance your journey in life.

Nobody is picking holes. The young man or woman as made it a point of duty to discourage people from applying to the US which is not why we are here.

I only got to even know that he or she is already in the US from the quoted post.

If he has a personal issue with the US he should tell is his story and not come here to discourage others. Our destiny is not the same, where he failed I might succeed.

So it's not about picking holes .

NwanyiOkpa:



35K deficit.

Have you been hustling over there to pay fees? why have u been bitter over USA?

Really bitter o. Didn't even know he is already in the US.

morgang:


Okay. I guess tuition was waived aside other little expenses. But here comes the statement... kindly check attached. That would definitely be the deficit on i20..

Hey don't mind all these people using harp tone on you.
Please if you are still confused, just email you Graduate coordinator and ask him or her to help you break it down. You won't lose your admission for seeking clarity.

solihp:


Your i20 determines when you can leave. You can only leave within 30days before the program start date stated on your i20. If you leave earlier than that, you will be sent back at US port of entry.

Thanks

anfanio:


It's highly unlikely you will be issued a visa (F1) in April for September admission, it's outside of the 120 days window and if you did, F1 Visa rules limit your entry to 30 days before your school start date. Anything outside of the 30 days before start date is enforced by immigration at Port of entry. (Denial of entry/Deportation).

Thanks

Got a question.

Apart from getting your visa approved, who determine or what determines when you can leave the country. Your I-20? Or you? Or the VO?

Let me try and make an instance.

Assuming you are supposed to resume by fall 2020 (September) and you get your visa approved by March. Can you leave by April for instance. (Note. you have someone or somewhere to stay until resumption).

Who determines when you leave the country?

Thanks

Friedpotato:
Hello good afternoon everyone. I've Evaluated my transcript as well as applied to other schools paying application fee here and there and I'm kinda down on cash RN due to the numerous processes. I'm applying to another school now with the hope of getting a full ride scholarship since my SAT score and high school GPA meets the requirements. The only thing holding me is a $50 application fee.

Please I'd like to plead to good Samaritans in this house to who God/Allah has touched his/her/non-binary heart to help me with the fee either in full or in part. Please I really need this and God bless you as you reach out.

Deadline for the scholarship is Feb21

Email the school and explain your condition to them and request for an application fee waiver. I got 4 application fee waiver after I email the schools requesting the application fee be waived for me.

Keep pushing guys.

mvem:
Why are some people so negative. So the whole thread should close because of ban on immigrant visa that doesn't extend to student visas. A ban that is temporal and will be withdrawn if Nigeria follows the condition being given. And please prospective students are also here for other information regarding admission and assistantship not just Visa alone

Don't mind all these negative frustrated people looking for who to recruit into their negative world.

If you are already getting discouraged please read this.

Don't give up.
Keep pushing.

Horlars17:




Did you send GRE score? If you did, what’s your score?

I didn't send because it was stated that GRE wasn't a requirement.