Summary
The applicant, a 27-year-old high school graduate with some college credits, faced security clearance concerns under Guideline E (personal conduct) and Guideline F (financial considerations) due to defaulted debts. The applicant demonstrated significant rehabilitation efforts by repaying most debts and maintaining a stable income, leading to the granting of her security clearance.
Under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant owed student loans in collection for $4,393 (1.a). Applicant owed a charged-off credit card debt of $2,778 (1.b). Applicant owed student loans in collection for $2,464 (1.c). Applicant owed a collection debt of $463 (1.d). Applicant owed a medical debt of $191 (1.e). Applicant owed student loans in collection for $1,115 (1.f). Applicant owed student loans in collection for $702 (1.g).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant rehabilitated her private student loans and repaid two of three consumer delinquencies; She has no new past-due debt and has taken responsibility for her financial obligations; The applicant's financial situation no longer presents an unacceptable security risk.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant rehabilitated her private student loans and repaid two of three consumer delinquencies.
- She has no new past-due debt and has taken responsibility for her financial obligations.
- The applicant's financial situation no longer presents an unacceptable security risk.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedReceived Counseling for the Problem
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors
Key Rule Quoted
“The security clearance adjudication is not aimed at collecting an applicant’s personal debts. Rather, it involves an evaluation of an applicant’s judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness in light of the security guidelines in the Directive.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 17, 2017
- Answer filedMay 1, 2017
- Hearing heldAug 2, 2017rescheduled from August 3, 2017
- Decision dateSep 2, 2017record closed after hearing
Cite For
- Rehabilitation of Student Loans Under Guideline F
- Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Financial Obligations
- Evaluation of Financial Responsibility in Security Clearance Cases