NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) – A financially-troubled historically Black college in Nashville, Tennessee, is apparently asking a student on a full-ride scholarship to return nearly $5,000.
As a result, the student has been forced to take out a loan, but his mother doesn’t think he should have to pay for the university’s mistake.
“We have a family legacy,” the Tennessee State University student’s mother, Chekesha Ibrahimzakari, said. “So many people in my family have gone to T.S.U. and graduated from T.S.U. and are very proud alumni of T.S.U.”
Ibrahimzakaria always hoped her kids would have an H.B.C.U. experience. She was always reminding her children to keep their grades up.
“Make sure that you pay attention to your academics so that you can go to any school you want to and that you don’t have to go into debt to do it,” Ibrahimzakaria said. “That was the objective from the very beginning.”
Ibrahimzakaria’s son, a sophomore at Tennessee State University, ended up getting a full-ride scholarship.
What happened next was an unexpected surprise.
“In the fall of his first year, T.S.U. sent an overpayment check of I think about $4,900, saying that he had excess financial aid,” Ibrahimzakaria claimed.
Her son cashed the check.
A year later in October 2024, Ibrahimzakaria’s son received an email claiming he was not eligible for the refund and they needed the money back.
Now, Ibrahimzakaria’s son has a hold on his account for an unpaid balance for the same amount as the check.
He can’t register for spring classes or get his dorm assignment.
“Because they made a mistake, they want my son and others like him to make up for their mistake,” Ibrahimzakaria said.
Ibrahimzakaria is disappointed in the school that has meant so much to her family.
Because of the mistake, her son is forced to take out a student loan to pay the balance when he came to the university on a full-ride scholarship.
“It’s too stressful for the students,” according to Ibrahimzakaria.
Ibrahimzakaria says her son is planning to transfer to another university to finish out his degree.
“He even now regrets going to the school at all,” Ibrahimzakaria added. “He doesn’t feel good at all about this experience compared to the other people in the family who are so proud to have gone to T.S.U.”
Tennessee State University has not responded to comment on the situation.
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