Toronto college promises refund after international student who paid $9K was denied visa

Precious Christianah Ademokun thought she would be in Canada and part way through a college programming program by now.

Instead, after months waiting in Nigeria for her study permit application to be processed, she was denied a student visa — and was out $9,000 after the Toronto college she applied to wouldn't refund her.

Now, after CBC Toronto shared Ademokun's story, she said in an email that George Brown College has promised to refund the entire amount as soon as possible. 

"I am very grateful," Ademokun told CBC Toronto. "I was really sad when it happened."

Ademokun, 19, received her admission into a program at George Brown College in April and applied for a student visa on July 4, says she was told the visa application process could take six to eight weeks.

Still, she had to make the college's fee deadlines while she waited for a decision from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Ademokun was required to pay a minimum of $8,867 for first semester fees out of the total $16,872 for the both semesters.

On Sept. 19, with no decision on her visa by the IRCC, she missed the school's refund deadline.

It wasn't until Oct. 6 that Ademokun received a decision from the IRCC. Her study permit had been denied. Despite that, George Brown College told Ademokun it could not refund any of the fees she paid to the school.

Ademokun appealed, but the school denied her request for withdrawal and refund in a letter sent to her on Dec. 15.

Ademokun's situation is one that many international students find themselves in, said Nick Peterson, a support staff member on the Student Association at George Brown College. 

Peterson said he is approached at least twice a month by international students, both in person and by phone, caught between the college's deadlines and visa approval.

"Students are trapped between the college and their visa forms, and they don't know where to go next or who to talk to," Peterson told CBC Toronto.

Peterson said the students often seek assistance from the student union, which usually can't help.

"Because we don't have play in college policy and operations, most of the time the answer is no, unfortunately."