HELP FAVOUR GRADUATE UNIVERSITY
Hello everyone,
My name is Favour Odilichukwu-Okafor and I enrolled as an undergraduate student to pursue my Bachelor's of Science degree at McMaster University in Canada in the Fall of 2013. I have since had excellent grades and academic results, including being heavily involved in the Life Science program. I love working with people to solve problems, and building effective relationships that further positive social change. This contributes to my goal of becoming a Medical Doctor; I ultimately want to protect and improve a quality of life one person at a time.
My anticipated graduation date for June 2017 from McMaster University seemed exciting, until it wasn't. I was unable to graduate as my dad who was my only sponsor was unable to pay my fees. Financial issues in my family began during the 2015 recession in Nigeria and my dad was severely impacted as is still trying to recoup. This happened during my 3rd year, so I couldn’t enroll for classes for my final semester. I currently have to pay $29,421.59 for my past tuition including interests for my 3rd year plus about $10,000 for my final semester. Due to the policy of the platform, the processing fee is 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation hence the $50,000.
I understand that not everyone would be able to donate to my campaign but it would mean a lot to me if you can share and spread the word around so I don't have to go back to Nigeria making the 3 years I’ve spent in University a waste. Please help me graduate and make all my years of hard work worth it.
Please read my full story below so you can understand how I got here.
My parents have been a blessing in paying my tuition for my first 2 years of university but it became difficult in the fall of 2015 when I was going into my 3rd year. With the financial challenges my parents were going through, I started working 2 jobs; one full time and one part-time in the summer so that I could help my siblings and myself in anyway I could. The minimum wage I was paid, helped with my rent, feeding, bills, which lessened the burden a bit on my parents as they didn't have to worry about my welfare. During the start of the fall 2015 to 2016 winter school session, I was unable to work full-time because of school, therefore I had to work 3 part-time/casual jobs in school so that I could make ends meet. I started to fret when the academic year was coming to an end because my account was placed on hold as a result of the tuition I was owing , which was about $30,301.48 (tuition + textbooks etc).
My parents were very much aware of the financial hold on my account and were also aware that I couldn't enroll in my final year if my previous tuition wasn't paid but I couldn't do anything about it except getting a full time summer job . My family was also going through a crisis at home due to the lack of funds; in order not to be a burden, I did not want to constantly remind them and I didn't want to stress them and so I focused primarily on my full-time job during the week and my part-time during the weekend. However, in the fall of 2016, things took a turn for the worse and I couldn't enroll for classes. Due to the hold on my account, (because of the debt owed from prior school sessions), I had to take a year off. My parents tried to help as much as they could but unfortunately couldn't complete the balance and the accounting department refused to remove the hold till the debt was cleared. I had to take the whole year off. I was so devastated that I had to miss a whole year but the only thing that I could think of at that time was to work and save up as much as I can. But without an undergrad degree, there was little that I could do except a minimum wage job.
I was joggling between jobs during the 1 year I wasn't in school in order to make ends meets. However, with all the bills, I could only pay a little bit of the amount . I still had $29,200.08 plus interests to pay and because of it, my account was still placed on hold. I couldn't enroll again in September 2017 and so I had to skip the year again. I tried to apply for a loan from school but unfortunately I was not approved due to my status as an international student. In May 2018, my dad was able to pay about $4,000 but due to the school policy, my account was still placed on hold. Just as there seemed to be light at the end of the tunnel, my study permit issues happened. My study permit expires in march 2020 and one of the requirements to renew my permit is a letter of enrollment. I pleaded with the registrar's office to give me a letter of enrollment so that I could apply for renewal but I was denied every time. I still have $26,301.48 plus interest left to pay for the hold to removed.
If I don't complete my tuition payment, I won't receive a letter of enrollment and I won't be able to apply for my study permit renewal and as a result I would have to go back to Nigeria after 5 years of hard work . I thought I could handle all these on my own but I can't anymore. I was so scared at first to ask for help and I didn't have any confidence to ask for help. I have to pay $29,421.59 my past tuition plus $10,000 for my final semester. Due to the policy of the platform, the processing fee is 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation hence the $50,000. I plead with everyone to understand my case and share this burden with me by contributing earnest. I would also appreciate if you can share and spread the word around so I am able to complete my degree successfully and pursue my dreams of being a doctor and give back to the community. Please help me to graduate and make all my years of hard work worth it. Thank you so much for taking out time to read my story and I hope I’m worthy enough to receive your donation.
Thank you and God bless you.
