RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-00693

XXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

Her student loans for her Master’s Degree be paid for under the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) or she receive a back-dated sign-on bonus for her Air Force commission. 

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

She commissioned with the understanding that her student loans would be paid for under the HPLRP.  However, after she commissioned, she was told that because her student loans were for her Master’s Degree and not her Bachelor’s Degree, she did not qualify for the HPLRP.  Considering that she only had student loans for her Master’s Degree, had she known they did not qualify for reimbursement, she would not have agreed to enter the military under HPLRP.  Due to this misinformation, not only were her student loans not paid for, but she also missed a potential sign-on bonus.  If she cannot get the loan repaid, she is willing to accept the sign-on bonus she would have otherwise received.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an Air Force captain (O-3).  

On 24 Apr 18, a Conditional Selection Notification, provided by the applicant, indicates she accepted her conditional selection to enter the Air Force as a first lieutenant (O-2) under the 3-Year HPLRP program in Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 46N, Clinical Nurse.  According to paragraph 1h, the appointment was contingent on completion of a qualifying degree 45-days prior to her projected active duty start date.  

On 18 May 18, AF Form 133, Oath of Office (Military Personnel), shows the applicant was appointed as a first lieutenant in the Regular Air Force

On 5 Nov 20, a loan verification form, provided by the applicant, indicates she has a Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (DLUNST) with an original amount of $20,500.00 and a disbursement date of 26 Oct 16. 

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFMRA/SG10M, recommends denying the application.  On 24 Apr 18, the applicant signed a Conditional Selection Notification, which states “my recruiter has fully explained each item.” While the applicant implies misinformation was given to her, she does not provide any factual evidence to support her claim that she was told that her Master’s Degree loans would qualify for loan reimbursement. 

In accordance with DoDI 6000.13_DAFI41-110, Paragraph 7b and 7c,  under the ADHPLRP, the Secretary of a Military Department may repay a loan that was used by a person to finance a degree that qualifies the person to practice in a health profession and was obtained from a governmental entity, private financial institution, or school…In order to meet the requirements the member must be enrolled as a full-time student in the final year of a course of study at an accredited educational institution leading to a degree in a health profession other than medicine or osteopathic medicine…or be enrolled in the final year of an approved graduate program at an educational institution accredited by a U.S. accrediting agency leading to specialty qualification in medicine, dentistry, osteopathic medicine, or other health profession.  Per these requirements, the only educational degree that qualifies for loan reimbursement is her Bachelor’s Degree, since that is the degree that qualifies her to practice in her specific health profession.  Furthermore, on 16 Apr 21, the applicant reported to AFPC/DP3, that she has not yet completed her Master’s Degree for which she was requesting loan repayment. 

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 30 Apr 21 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.   After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFMRA/SG10M and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.
RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the Board will reconsider the application only upon receipt of relevant evidence not already presented.

CERTIFICATION

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2021-00693 in Executive Session on 18 Aug 21:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted against correcting the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 10 Feb 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFMRA/SG10M, w/atchs dated 26 Apr 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 30 Apr 21.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings, as required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.