I Just Graduated From the Police Academy But Can’t Get Hired by a Police Department Because of My Debt. – Heath
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Heath wrote to me through the GetOutOfDebt.org site and asked the following question. If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free.
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“Dear Steve,
Hi im 25 just graduayed a police academy after 4 years of college as well. My credit is horrible and im in default for 53,000 in private student loans plus 20,000 in collection debt via credit cards and fed loans. All of the money was accumulated between when i was 20 to 23 and was due to my immense college expenses. Are there any options for me at this point to rectify this. My income is only around 15,000 a year and due to my credit i cant get hired by a police department.
Based upon what i just described, do i have any options at my disposal to rectify this, rebuild my credit, and my future. Thanks.
Heath”
Dear Heath,
I’m afraid that what you have here are two separate situations that are impacting each other. Your inability to find employment because of your past credit mess and the mess itself.
So it seems that we’ll need to tackle this in stages. First, the past. Private student loans are a bitch to deal with. They operate on a take no prisoner philosophy which they feel serves them in some way. If these were government backed loans you’d have all sorts of options. You don’t.
The most logical way to deal with the current situation is to discharge the $20,000 in miscellaneous debts with bankruptcy so you can focus your efforts to rehabilitate and bring your student loans current.
Your credit can be rebuilt after bankruptcy but without my suggested solution you will never get your past debt resolved in such a way that you will have a shot at your desired job as a police officer.
Go talk to a local bankruptcy attorney about your situation and come up with a plan to discharge the past debt. Once you do, contact your student loan servicer and workout a repayment plan that will get you current.
You know, one option after you do all of this might be for you to enlist in the military police and get experience while you focus on repaying your loans. The pay will be higher and you’ll get experience at the same time.
Please update me on your progress by posting updates here in the comments section of your question. I’m very interested in how this works out for you.
Big hug.
P.S. Be sure to read ‘The Secret of Surviving Through Difficult Economic Times. What I Learned On My Journey‘.
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Comments
Comment by Heath Hi steve thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my question regarding my financial mess. Im taking your advice and am currently looking for an attorney the only issue currently is not being able to afford one. Once i get that step done how would you suggest i contact my private student loan servicer? They are almost impossible to get a hold of especially in my situation. Well thanks again and god bless.
Steve Rhode Reply:
September 24th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Heath,
I’d suggest sending a letter to the student loan servicer. Mail, although slow, does still get a response, eventually.
Steve
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Wow, very difficult situation. One thing that I would look into before considering filing for bankruptcy is how that would be looked upon by the police department. Many job applications require you to list whether you have ever filed for bankruptcy.
TheDebtHawk.com´s last blog ..Lending Money To Family Members
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Steve Rhode Reply:
September 11th, 2009 at 9:05 am
It used to be more of a concern but even a government security clearance looks more favorably on a bankruptcy versus unresolved debt issues. See this other post for more information on this.
Just don’t assume that a bankruptcy alone will jeopardize a job position.
Steve
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