Summary
The applicant, a 29-year-old defense contractor, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to 23 debts totaling approximately $81,223. He demonstrated a good-faith effort to resolve his debts, having repaid or is repaying 21 of them, and successfully mitigated the financial concerns, resulting in a granted security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant is alleged to be indebted on 23 debts in the total approximate amount of $81,223 (1.a). Applicant's debts alleged in SOR ¶¶ 1.a through 1.f, and 1.h through 1.r pertain to student loans he incurred while attending undergraduate school. They total approximately $78,793, as alleged on the SOR, and were owed to three separate creditors (1.b). Applicant was alleged to be indebted to a credit union on two accounts in the amounts of $46 and $62, respectively, as stated in SOR ¶¶ 1.g and 1.v (1.c). SOR ¶ 1.s alleged Applicant was indebted to a towing company in the amount of $1,690 (1.d). SOR ¶ 1.t alleged Applicant was indebted on a medical debt in the amount of $386 (1.e). Applicant was indebted to a collection agent for a phone company in the amount of $266, as alleged in SOR ¶ 1.u (1.f).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: The applicant made a good-faith effort to repay or resolve 21 out of 23 debts; He consolidated his student loans and is current on payments, having repaid over $24,000 recently; The applicant's actions indicate he is now acting responsibly with respect to his debts.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant made a good-faith effort to repay or resolve 21 out of 23 debts.
- He consolidated his student loans and is current on payments, having repaid over $24,000 recently.
- The applicant's actions indicate he is now acting responsibly with respect to his debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem And/or There Are Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Is Under Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedNov 17, 2014
- Answer filedJan 14, 2015Applicant requested a decision on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision made on the written record.
- Decision dateJan 13, 2016
Cite For
- Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Financial Delinquencies Under Guideline F
- Mitigation of Financial Concerns Through Recent Responsible Conduct
- Whole-person Concept Applied in Financial Consideration Cases