2.  The applicant requests, in effect, that the Army pay off her student loans as per her enlistment contract.

3.  The applicant’s military records show that she enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on 24 November 1993, in military occupational specialty (MOS) 96B,  for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) ($10,000 maximum).  In addition to the normal documents involved in an enlistment, a U.S. Army Recruiting Command Addendum was completed wherein both the applicant and her guidance counselor acknowledged that she enlisted for an MOS that was authorized the Student Loan Repayment Option.

4.  Two months previously, Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA) had updated the Selected Reserve Incentive Program for Fiscal Year 1994              (1 October 1993).  MOS 96B was no longer listed as an MOS eligible for the SLRP. 

5. As late as 10 January 1995 and 7 May 1996, the Army (the applicant’s command) was sending letters to her creditors stating:  “…a member of this unit in good standing, is eligible to participate in the Department of the Army Federal Student Loan Repayment Program.  You have been identified as the holder of the qualifying loan(s).”

6.  On 24 June 1996, the Army discovered that the applicant’s enlistment MOS was not DA approved for SLRP entitlement and her unit qualification ended on 23 November 1993.

7.  On 7 October 1997, the 377th Theater Army Area Command Inspector General Office notified the applicant that HQDA had disapproved her request for an exception to policy to receive the SLRP incentive and offered her the options of remaining in the unit without benefit of the bonus; requesting discharge, or applying to this Board to pursue redress.

8.  On 19 December 1997, the applicant applied to this Board for redress. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence in the records shows that the applicant enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, in good faith, for the Student Loan Repayment Program incentive in MOS 96B with assignment to the 377th Theater Army Area Command.  Her counselor signed all enlistment documents.

2.  The applicant served the Army well and faithfully for almost three years, to include several tours in Kuwait, thinking she was entitled to the SLPR incentive before the Army discovered and notified her that she was not eligible for entitlement.

3.  Through no fault of her own, and after incurring several debts based upon what she assumed was a valid enlistment option, she was denied that entitlement.

4.  In view of the foregoing, it would be in the interest of justice to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected, as an exception to policy, by showing that the individual concerned is entitled to the Student Loan Repayment Plan incentive, obligating the government to pay the designated portion of any outstanding student loan previously incurred by the applicant, not to exceed $10,000.

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION

                                                                                                             
						    CHAIRPERSON