A Canadian university, George Brown, has withheld partial payment of school fees paid by an applicant from Nigeria, Miss Precious Ademokun, who was denied a study visa by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Ademokun, who spoke to CBC News, said he received his admission to a program at George Brown College in April and paid CAD8,867 for first semester fees out of a total of CAD16,872 for both semesters, before applying for a student visa. . on July 4, adding: “I was told the visa application process could take six to eight weeks.”

The 19-year-old woman claimed that after months of waiting in Nigeria for her study permit application to be processed, she was denied a student visa, and the Toronto university she applied to will not refund her money.

“I am very disappointed and sad,” Ademokun told CBC Toronto.

A copy of the letter from George Brown College denying a refund to Ademokun.

When Ademokun approached the university on September 19, without the IRCC making a decision on his visa, he missed the school’s refund deadline.

On October 6, he received a decision from the IRCC. His study permit had been denied.

Despite that, the Canadian university told Ademokun that it could not refund any of the fees he paid to the school.

She appealed, but the school denied her withdrawal and refund request in a letter sent to her on December 15.

In a letter sent to Ademokun, George Brown College denied his appeal to withdraw his first tuition deposit of $8,962 because he missed the deadline.

Looking at the institution’s website to validate his claim, he wrote: “At George Brown College, international students who are denied a study permit are eligible for a refund or postponement, if requested within the deadline. ”.

When contacted by CBC Toronto, the school’s registrar, Janene Christiansen, she said in a statement that she values ​​her international students and understands that “it is always a huge disappointment when study permits are denied.”

Christiansen added, “the school is ‘following directly’ with Ademokun to ‘find a resolution.’”

“Now that new information is coming to light, we are following up directly with the person to gather more details and find a solution.”

Christiansen also said George Brown College’s international withdrawal and refund policy is aligned with other universities in Ontario and complies with Ministry of Colleges and Universities directives as well as IRCC regulations.

However, he says, the school is reviewing its internal processes and policies to “ensure an improved, clear and transparent process for all future students.

When the punch noted Canada’s website on study permits for international students, it reads that it currently takes up to nine weeks to process.