Date Received: 2021-07-24
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Received bad information about your loan
Consumer Complaint: I am currently participating in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness ( " PSLF '' ) Program, a federal program managed by the Department of Education and any applicable student loan servicers, which allows for student loan balances to be forgiven for individuals who work for qualifying non-profit or governmental employers and make qualifying payments for a certain amount of time ( 10 years total ), subject to other terms and conditions. As part of this program, I submit what is called an Employer Certification Form ( " ECF '' ) annually to my student loan servicer FedLoan Servicing ( " FedLoan '' ), which certifies that my non-profit employer is a qualifying employer for the program. I have received approval of my ECF for my employer in XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX and XXXX. Attached hereto please find the XX/XX/XXXX approval letter of my XXXX ECF ( entitled " XXXX PSLF EC Acknowledgment and Payments '' ), which summarizes all of my nearly 5 years of qualifying PSLF payments made thus far, as well as the internal communication between the Department of Education and FedLoan that initially led to approval of my employer as qualifying for the PSLF program ( entitled " FOIA-PRODUCTION-US-Department-of-Education-on-PSLF-1-pdf - ICC Discussion '' ). This year, however, I submitted my ECF on XX/XX/XXXX ( attached hereto as " XXXX Public Service Loan Forgiveness Application - SIGNED '' ) and received a reply from FedLoan on XX/XX/XXXX ( attached hereto as " FedLoan Servicing Reply to XXXX ECF - XXXX '' ) stating that FedLoan needs additional time to determine if I work for a qualifying employer and meet all other criteria for the PSLF -- even though my employer and other credentials have been certified/approved for PSLF by FedLoan ( in consultation with the Department of Education ) for the past five years without issue. It is worth noting that my employer 's non-profit status, stated mission, and governance model have not changed in the slightest since my initial employment date. On XX/XX/XXXX, I reached out to FedLoan via it's online chat service inquiring as to the status of its review of my XXXX ECF. I was provided a response containing very limited information and no estimated deadline by which I should expect to receive a response to my XXXX XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, I again reached out to FedLoan via e-mail inquiring as to the status of its review of my XXXX ECF. On XX/XX/XXXX, I was provided a response containing very limited information and no estimated deadline by which I should expect to receive a response to my XXXX ECF. On XX/XX/XXXX, I reached out to the Department of Education 's office of Federal Student Aid via e-mail inquiring as to the status of its review of my XXXX ECF. On XX/XX/XXXX, I was provided a response containing very limited information and no estimated deadline by which I should expect to receive a response to my XXXX ECF. I followed up to this reply on the same date with three very imperative questions, none of which I ever received a response to. Screenshots of all of this correspondence are attached hereto in chronological order as " Correspondence with FedLoan Servicing and DOE ''. Since this last XX/XX/XXXX correspondence, I still have yet to receive any update or decision on my XXXX ECF, which was submitted nearly six ( 6 ) months ago. In years prior, it has generally taken FedLoan Servicing a few weeks to provide its approval of my annual ECF. On Friday, XX/XX/XXXX, I was offered an appealing full-time employment position that would not qualify for the PSLF program. I rejected said employment offer on the grounds that my current employer qualifies for PSLF and has qualified since XXXX, and pursuant to my completion of the PSLF program, I will obtain forgiveness of my six-figure student loan debt in XXXX.
Company Response:
State: AL
Zip: 352XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-07-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-07-24
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Received bad information about your loan
Consumer Complaint: I applied to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness ( PSLF ) program and my federal student loans were transferred from XXXX to FedLoan Servicing, a requirement of the PSLF program. FedLoan accepted me into the program, but rejected ( for false reasons ) the vast majority of the payments I made on my student loans over the past 10 years. I have made, upon my review, 50 qualifying payments on one loan that were deemed " ineligible '' payments and 41 qualifying payments on a second loan that were similarly deemed " ineligible. '' Almost all of these rejections were based on a payment being made late, even though they were made on time. I submitted evidence of these timely payments to FedLoan Servicing a month ago and have gotten no response.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 90041
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-07-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-07-24
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Trouble with how payments are being handled
Consumer Complaint: My name is XXXX XXXX XXXX. I applied for Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program in XXXX, after graduating XXXX XXXX at XXXX in XXXX. I had borrowed approximately {$210000.00} during my years XXXX. Per the loan agreement, I agreed to pay income based repayments for 10 years at a non for profit for 10 years and practice in a rural setting. Doing so would result in forgiveness of the remaining balance of the loan. Since signing the loan agreement, I have completed 3 years of XXXX and 8 years practicing in a " rural setting. '' During this time, I fulfilled all of my payment obligations, which per the loan agreement, were income driven repayments. I was required to submit income verification annually and did so. For the past 8 years, my payments have been over {$2300.00} a month. My 10 years ( 120 payments ) should have expired in XX/XX/XXXX. When I called the loan servicer, fedloans.org to inquire about this in XX/XX/XXXX, I was told the expiration was XX/XX/XXXX. However, it is now XX/XX/XXXX and per the fedloans website, I still owe 74 payments in the amount of {$190000.00} that are apparently to website, are " in question ''. More importantly, myfedloan states I still owe payments until XXXX! In the past 18 months, I have called no less than 30 times to find out why my loan status has not been changed. I've spoken to countless operators and supervisors. Most recently, an operator stated the loan administrators were " on an island '' and there was no way to talk, email, or reach them for answers. I am constantly told its simply a " paper tracking '' issue for 18 months. I was also told my case is " flagged '' as well as the term " expedited '' so all calls are tracked. Now, I am here 18 months later without change in my 74 payment status. I have an urgent need to get this rectified as starting in XX/XX/XXXX, as if I don't continue to make these large payments, ( despite already having completed all terms of the agreement ), I could be in " default ''. My license to XXXX XXXX XXXX may be revoked. I have overpaid in my calculations a {$210000.00} loan to {$280000.00}. And yet still {$190000.00} owed, how is that? Because of this situation, I am in limbo career wise. I, as a XXXX, can not even get approved for a car loan. I have been compliant with my end of the contract for the last now ELEVEN years, but yet I still have {$190000.00} outstanding debt? I have my bank statements to verify my payments as well. According to my research, there have been multiple states with lawsuits against the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program. Not only for the gross mismanagement, but near obsolete communication of the company. I have reached out to my WV Attorney General XXXX XXXX for help. Upon search the CFPB complaint database, I have found many similar complaints about this program. Aside from getting my loan discharged properly, I would like to know why this program is permitted to continue its unfair, deceptive and abusive lending practices. Any inquires are welcomed.
Company Response:
State: WV
Zip: 26003
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-07-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-07-23
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Subissue: Account information incorrect
Consumer Complaint: I am trying my best to be patient. However, I do not like having to payout all my income to others. I would greatly appreciate if you all would use your job to actually help others and not monopolize on trying to keep a vast majority indebted to you and others by being slow to update important and good information. I am starting to think you all may get a thrill from antagonizing others?? ..By you all going ahead and doing your job for the betterment of others, it can assist in making the American dream a reality. I've already assisted many teachers whom taught me many things that I'll probably never use. However, I don't mind helping others. I would appreciate if you would do the same. It has taken me a while to get to where I can continue my endeavors of paying it forwards and backwards in a monetary fashion. It has been many challenges that I have had to overcome. Some where brought on by my own ignorance and nieveness and at other times, to put it simply, it wasn't me.
Company Response:
State: LA
Zip: 710XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-07-23
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-07-22
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Subissue: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Consumer Complaint: I am a victim of identity theft. Due to the Corona Virus Pandemic, we are all facing which has me sitting still at home and I saw the recent news about the multiple XXXX and XXXX Data breaches. I decided to look at my credit reports from the 3 major credit bureaus and found that someone had used my Identity. I have no idea how the theft took place. I also have no knowledge of any suspects. I did not receive any money, goods, or services as a result of identity theft. I contacted the Credit Bureaus and told me to file an Identity Theft Report which I am doing. I appreciate your effort in getting this matter resolved. Please let me know if you need any other information from me to block this information from my credit report. Thank you.
Company Response:
State: PA
Zip: 19132
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-07-22
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-07-22
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Problem with customer service
Consumer Complaint: fedLoan Servicing -- I have submitted my employee recertification form for PSLF verification, in XX/XX/XXXX, for the months of XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. Since I have been doing this annually since XXXX, I am aware that it generally takes about 2 wks, however effective today XX/XX/XXXX, nothing has been updated and I have received no information. I have called or communicated thru messaging on at least 5 occasions and have spoken to supervisors, only to be told we have no updates for you. Finally after my 4th call someone told me I should have uploaded my cert form thru a new feature on their site called the PSLF help tool and I would have been approved much faster, rather than uploading it to the usual " upload docs '' section. I have never heard this or done this so I resubmitted my docs thru the help tool in XX/XX/XXXX. Well, they approved my payments of XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, but left XXXX XX/XX/XXXX unreviewed! So I called again and they said it's still under review. I have had the same employer for 11 years and have submitted multiple employer cert forms- it absolutely does NOT take over 6 months to determine that my employer, a COUNTY, is a government agency. Furthmore, XXXX XX/XX/XXXX were reviewed and accepted within a week, thereby proving that it does not take 6 months. And why weren't all my prior months reviewed up to XX/XX/XXXX? What is the hold up? I am getting no answers, no help, no apologies, nothing. Furthmore, I noticed that they approved months XXXX XX/XX/XXXX for TEPLSF only, yet months XXXX XX/XX/XXXX were on the same exact payment plan with the same exact employer, and we're approved for BOTH PSLF and TEPLSF. Makes zero sense and I need answers and updated employer certification, bc as I learned by watching the news, they will not be my provider after XX/XX/XXXX, and I want my account current. I have done everything I am supposed to do on my end and I expect the same from them.
Company Response:
State: TX
Zip: 76039
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-07-22
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-07-21
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Received bad information about your loan
Consumer Complaint: I have a Federal Student Loan that has switched hands multiple times in since XXXX. I have been working for the State of California in an attempt to gain loan forgiveness. ( PSLF ). I have recently hit my 10 year mark and started communicating with the company ( Myfedloan.org ). Contact with my college 's financial aid department ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ), has not helped. After several calls and endless hours waiting on hold, speaking to XXXX XXXX and being referred to a supervisor XXXX XXXX that XXXX " can't help '' me. I finally found a phone number for PSLF and began calling them XX/XX/XXXX, as XX/XX/XXXX would mark my 10 year anniversary with the State of California. XX/XX/XXXX I spoke with XXXX ( # XXXX ). I was told that applying for PSLF takes months and months and that I just had to wait for them to tally my payments. However, I still had to be working for the State in order for my loans to be forgiven- but they dont know how long the tally will take. Maybe 6-9 months sometimes. I called again on XX/XX/XXXX and spoke with Geargia ( # XXXX ). She was very pleasant and very helpful! She explained that I still needed to send an email to begin the Temporary Expanded PSLF process. ( Although, I had all intents of using PSLF, I was somehow not on the correct loan type. Unfortunately, the current company does not have the ability to look at the old companies records ). On XX/XX/XXXX I spoke with XXXX ( # XXXX ) who told me that my tally was ready and that I still needed 20 more payments ( once the COVID forbearance ends XX/XX/XXXX ) to be eligible for TEPSLF. I was told that I could make back payments. At this point, I discussed it with my family and decided that I would use some bonds and gift money to pay off the loans. I made my withdrawals of money that was earning interest, and sent {$3000.00} to myfedloan.org. On XX/XX/XXXX I once again called myfedloan.org to see why my back payments had not been credited. I talked to XXXX ( # XXXX ) who had no PSLF experience. She transferred me to XXXX ( # XXXX ) who stated that in order for back payments to be made, I would need to talk to a supervisor to get an over ride. She transferred me to a supervisor named XXXX ( # XXXX ). XXXX proceeded to tell me that all of the information I had collected from the company was false. He could not give me an over ride. He was somewhat apologetic that I had pulled money out of interest bearing funds that could not be returned, and said there were no other options for me. He couldn't look into my loans with past borrowers. And, the fact that I was given false information about back payments did not qualify as an error on the part of the company that would allow for an over ride. I have received so much contradictory information. It seems like every time I call there is a different story. So, this is where I am stuck. After 11 years at an absolutely soul crushing public service job, I am still 2 years away from Public Loan Forgiveness. All of the promises made at XXXX that the financial aid office would always be able to help me were broken. My loans have moved multiple times outside of my control. I have followed everything I have been told by the current company, and I am still here with 20 more mandatory payments. All I want to do is to pay the balance of the 20 months so I can move on in my career. The money I have pulled to do so can not be replaced. No one tells you at the beginning, that you should just work for the private sector and pay off your loans. In the end, student loan providers are just a lender and don't work with you anyway. PLSF is just a scam to get people to work for the government because they don't have competitive pay.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 90036
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-07-21
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-07-20
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Subissue: Investigation took more than 30 days
Consumer Complaint: I have filed a dispute in regards to the incorrect on my credit and it has been well over 30 days and I have not received any investigation results at this time.
Company Response:
State: NJ
Zip: 07003
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-07-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-07-20
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Subissue: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Consumer Complaint: PHEAA erased my student loans as requested with all credit bureaus. However, XXXX missed the elimination process. I ask XXXX to reinvestigate the matter and delete the PHEAA student loans permanently. COMPANY 'S INTERIM RESPONSE The response to your Consumer Financial Protection Bureau inquiry from Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency ( PHEAA ) /American Education Services ( AES ) /FedLoan Servicing is currently under review. Additional research is being performed at this time. You should expect to receive a reply shortly. Company responded STATUS Company responded on XX/XX/2021 RESPONSE TYPE Closed with explanation Company 's Response The Office of Consumer Advocacy ( OCA ) at Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency ( PHEAA ) performed a review of your account. Please Note : PHEAA conducts its student loan servicing operations commercially as American Education Services and for federally-owned loans as FedLoan Servicing. In your inquiry you expressed concern regarding information submitted to the consumer reporting agencies regarding your account. We received and investigated your complaint regarding loans for which you were on record as the endorser. Based on our preliminary investigation, we have submitted to the consumer reporting agencies to remove the loans from your credit report, until we can perform a full investigation once the borrower completes and returns the Fraud Packet that is being sent.
Company Response:
State: NY
Zip: 11378
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-07-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-07-20
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Trouble with how payments are being handled
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX I submitted a request to have my qualifying payments towards Public Student Loan Forgiveness ( PSLF ) reviewed because FedLoan Servicing ( FedLoan ) incorrectly calculated my qualifying payments. FedLoan acknowledged receiving my request on XX/XX/XXXX, but I still have not received the results over six months later. I have contacted FedLoan Servicing on two occasions over the past six months and they stated the review was still ongoing and could not provide me an update. ( FedLoan Servicing Case # XXXX, Reference ID : XXXX ) I requested to have my qualifying payments reviewed because their system incorrectly states that payments from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX are ineligible payments because I did not receive a bill for those months. I did not receive a bill because I am an XXXX XXXX servicemember and I filed a Department of Defense ( DOD ) Student Loan Repayment Program Forbearance request ( XXXX No. XXXX ) to receive credit for a lump sum payment from a DOD student loan repayment program. This lump sum payment was made on XX/XX/XXXX in the amount of {$16000.00}. Pursuant to 34 C.F.R. 685.219 ( c ) ( 2 ), this lump sum payment should result in me receiving credit for twelve 12 qualifying payments based on the monthly payment amount required under my repayment plan at the time. FedLoan has failed to accurately calculate the correct number of qualifying payments despite me making a request over six months ago.
Company Response:
State: VA
Zip: 22314
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-07-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A