Should student have to repay full-ride scholarship?
June 1, 2010 by Claire KnightPosted in: Admissions & Financial Aid, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
A student won a full-ride scholarship worth nearly $80,000. But now she might have to pay it back. Here’s what happened:
University of North Carolina student Sara Isaacson may be on the hook for the nearly $80,000 she received in a full-ride ROTC scholarship.
According to reports, Isaacson disclosed her sexual orientation to the head of the UNC’s ROTC program in a formal memo. As a result, Isaacson was given notice that she was being discharged from the Army for violating its “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
Along with her discharge papers, she also received a recommendation: repay the $79,265.14 the government shelled out for her education.
The Army has not yet determined if Isaacson will be required to repay the money.
This should be an interesting situation, as Congress pushes ahead in its attempt to repeal the policy, which was issued by the Clinton administration in 1993. We’ll keep you posted.
Should she have to reimburse the government? Share your opinion in the comments section below.
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Tags: Don't Ask; Don't Tell, gay bias, ROTC, University of North Carolina
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June 12th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Dear All,
She likely did this to get out of going to war. An investigation into her patriotism should be initiated by the FBI and she should be charged with desertion and imprisoned. In addition, she should be required to repay the money and charged with defrauding the Army by agreeing to “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” but then telling.
Sincerely,
Sean M. Donahue
Panama & Gulf War Veteran who only received a $10,800 Gi Bill
October 13th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Certainly an “interesting” situation. On one hand, yes, she owes either the service in the Army, or a refund of the scholarship. On the other hand, the Army discharged her, and presumably, her debt. I think it’s going to depend on the wording of the papers she initially signed, and the wording of her discharge papers.
My husband was an instructor of heavy equipment mechanics when he was in the Army, and students that did not make it through the schooling were required to repay the cost of their training.