can2174 said:that is how CIC works, what you paid is processing fee. To check if you are eligible or not they have to process your application.
once your application is found complete( complete doesnt mean eligible) then they charge cc/dd and then check for eligibility. Only if you meet minimum point criteria then only they issue positive eligibility review.
If you do not meet the minimum points and are a borderline case, the file is handed over to a second officer for substituted evaluation. Who is usually senior and is empowered to let it pass, if he/she opines that applicant can economically establish him/herself in Canada. But such cases are negligible. As officers exercising such power maybe questioned later on and who wants potential troubles. :-X