Bad credit?

[shockazulu]

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I'm a rising junior in college with really awful credit. I've had to finance the last two years with very little support, and in turn I've made some really horrendous financial decisions. No credit cards or car loans, just stupid stuff like cell phone and cable bills that I skipped out on. The last time I checked I believe I owned around 5,000 dollars in all. I know thats not a huge amount of money, but my credit score is like a 480. I know to even enlist in the Air Force you have to pass a security clearance and I know you can be denied a clearance due to bad credit. I have found very little information as to what you need to have/don't have in order to qualify for the HSPS. Even the Air Forces (and the other two branches) website is somewhat vague in that it only states that you need to be physically sound, but says nothing about other aspects such as credit worthiness. I was hoping someone could clue me in. I'm sorry if this has already been gone over.

 

[USArmyHPSP]

Experience has taught that 99% of the security clearances that are initially denied is because of finances.

1. Don't lie on the background check

2. And important enough to say again - Don't lie on the background check. The Security Office will find out and you will get a letter outlining every bad debt on your credit report saying that they MAY deny your clearance based on these debts.

3. You will need to show you are making a good faith effort to pay the delinquent bills. You have time; start to pay a little on each of your delinquent bills now. Call whoever it is you owe and tell them you can afford $5.00/week or some such. If they say they won't accept that, then send them a check anyway. When they cash it, you have proof that you are paying it down. If your account is in collections, it is probable that they will take whatever you offer - but make good on the offer. When your creditor says they will work with you, DO NOT mess them around with late or no payments.

4. Once the Security Office contacts you - and they will, provide them any and all documentation that you have been making good on the 5K. Most times if you can show you are making a concerted effort to pay down the debt, most times they will allow an interim clearance.