Financial issues are the most common reason for the issuance of a Statement of Reasons (SOR). Under Adjudicative Guideline F, the government views significant unpaid debt—including student loans—as a potential security risk, suggesting that an individual may be prone to pressure or may lack the judgment required to handle classified information.

Why Student Loans are Flagged in 2026

With the transition to Continuous Vetting (CV), the federal government now receives automated alerts when a cleared employee or applicant falls behind on credit payments. Student loan delinquency is often viewed as a "choice" by adjudicators, making it critical to show that you are acting in good faith.

 How to Mitigate Guideline F Concerns

Having student loan debt is not the problem; ignoring it is. To defend your clearance, we focus on the following mitigation factors:

Good Faith Effort: Providing evidence of a consistent repayment plan or enrollment in a federal consolidation/forgiveness program.

Circumstances Beyond Control: Demonstrating that the delinquency was caused by medical emergencies, identity theft, or other unforeseen hardships.

Financial Counseling: Showing that you have sought professional assistance to manage your debt responsibly.

Resolution of Debt: Providing "Paid in Full" or "Settled" letters to prove the debt is no longer a liability.

The Danger of Omission

Many applicants fail to list delinquent student loans on their SF-86 (e-App) because they believe the loans are "in deferment" or "on hold." Failing to disclose these debts can lead to a Guideline E (Personal Conduct) charge for dishonesty, which is much harder to fight than the debt itself.

If you have security clearance issues, contact The Law Office of Asya Hogue, Esq., for a free consultation at asya@ahatlaw.com or call or text (904) 884-5891.