RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-02466

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO
 
APPLICANT’S REQUEST

He be allowed to use the College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP) to pay $7,138.87 worth of student loans.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He had two federal student loans from education prior to joining the Air Force and is requesting retro-active enrollment in the CLRP because he was miscounseled by his recruiter, Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) personnel, and education office counselors. He was counseled that he was ineligible for the CLRP because he was joining in an Air Force Specialty Code that had an enlistment bonus of $15,000 upon completion of technical training.  He initialed the line on the AF Form 3008 that acknowledged his ineligibility for CLRP based on that counsel.  He applied and was approved for a public service loan forgiveness program through the Department of Education that required him to make 120 payments before the student loans would be forgiven.  Once he completed the 120 payments, the Department of Education notified him that his loans were ineligible.  He contacted AFPC who provided him with the 2015 policy letter that confirms his eligibility for the CLRP.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a currently serving Air Force staff sergeant (E-5).

On 1 Feb 11, according to AF Form 3008, Supplement to Enlistment Agreement – Unit States Air Force, the applicant elected not to participate in CLRP.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP1SSB recommends denying the application.  On 1 Feb 11, the applicant declined ECLRP enrollment when he initialed the following statement on the AF Form 3008; “I have been briefed on the College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP) and either do not meet the program requirements, or elect not to participate.  I understand my initial enlistment is the only opportunity to enroll in the CLRP and I permanently waive my CLRP enrollment option.”  The member is also ineligible for CLRP because he reenlisted on 23 Mar 2018.  The member did not provide any evidence to support his claim of an error or injustice.

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 16 Aug 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 AFPC/DP1SSB 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-2021-02466 in Executive Session on 12 Oct 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 6 Jul 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP1SSB, w/atchs, dated 12 Aug 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 16 Aug 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.