Eighteen-year-old William Wood had always wanted to join the Navy. So when he was in high school, he joined his school’s Navy Junior ROTC. He enrolled in Brenau University, where he had a $24,000 scholarship. But on his high school graduation night, he was given incredible news: the Navy was awarding him a $180,000 scholarship — a full ride — to the college of his choice, provided that the university had a ROTC program, and Brenau University did not qualify. So he dropped out of that school and enrolled into Savannah State instead, hoping to take advantage of the amazing opportunity he’d been handed.
But then, he was told that the whole thing was a mistake.
His mother, Trish Wood, is a Navy veteran, and she is understandably angry. The family thought that Wood was being given the opportunity of a lifetime, that could help fulfill Wood’s dream of joining the Navy. He was publicly awarded the scholarship, which covers not only tuition, but also books, fees, uniforms, a living allowance and a summer stipend. But now, several months later, the Navy is telling the Wood family that he was not meant to receive the scholarship. Wood has not only been told that he won’t be receiving his Navy scholarship, but lost the chance to use the scholarship for Brenau University as well.
The Navy Recruiting Command is reviewing the decision, and, in the meantime, Trish is not taking this lying down. She has already contacted her congressman, and the Wood family has vowed to fight this. William says he feels cheated, and only asks that the Navy fixes what they’re calling an “unfortunate error”.
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