Date Received: 2018-10-23
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Trouble with how payments are being handled
Consumer Complaint: I was notified in late XXXX for the first time that my loan servicing was transferred from XXXX to XXXX XXXX back in XXXX. I did not ask for my loan to be transferred, nor was I notified in advance of the transfer, nor did I approve the transfer. I keep receiving notifications from XXXX XXXX that I missed student loan payments. In fact, I have not missed a single payment at any point in my student loan. I made payments on XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX to XXXX and they were paid as always prior to the actual due date, and both payments were made before I was notified of the loan servicing transfer. I called XXXX upon receipt of the missed payment notice in late XXXX and was told that XXXX would be transferring my payments to XXXX so to just wait for it to process. I received a letter in XXXX from XXXX dated back to XX/XX/XXXX that my payments had been transferred to the new servicer XXXX. I continue to receive harassing letters from XXXX saying they are going to report my missed payments on my credit report. XXXX and XXXX need to coordinate between each other to transfer payments. I mailed proof of payment to XXXX and XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, for payments made XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX to XXXX, and XX/XX/XXXX to XXXX. XXXX needs to ensure that there are no negative marks on my credit, as this is not my error. XXXX needs to cease in sending me harassing and threatening communications.
Company Response:
State: OH
Zip: 44102
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2018-10-23
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2018-10-23
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Trouble with how payments are being handled
Consumer Complaint: I am writing after months of phone calls to XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX that have gone nowhere and have not resolved what should require a simple fix. From XX/XX/XXXX-XX/XX/XXXX, I was a XXXX for XXXX XXXX Member and earned an XXXX XXXX Award. In XX/XX/XXXX, I submitted a payment request from XXXX to XXXX in the amount of {$5300.00}. In the payment information submitted to XXXX, I specifically indicated that " Payment to be applied to Group C loans ONLY which are Direct Unsubsidized Loans from XXXX University. '' Please See Attachment, Page 1. The original loan amount for the Group C loan was {$5400.00} and so the payment of {$5300.00} would have nearly paid off the loan ( of course leaving aside the accrued interest ). XXXX received the payment but misapplied it. Instead of applying the payment to the indicated Group C loan, they applied the payment across all of my loans, essentially making no dent in any of them. I saw the error in early XX/XX/XXXX and immediately called XXXX. I spoke with a representative who indicated that she could see the error on their part in misapplying the payment and indicated that she would submit the request to have my payment reapplied. A few weeks later, my loans were transferred to XXXX XXXX XXXX so that I could participate in Public Service Loan Forgiveness. At that time, I saw that the payment had still not been reapplied. I called XXXX again. This time, they told me, that although they had misapplied my payment and had notation of that in their system that there was nothing they could do. They indicated that it would be a simple fix and that I should contact XXXX XXXX XXXX and explain the situation to them. That has of course proven not to be the case. I have called XXXX numerous times with no resolution. The closest I have come was a conversation in XXXX with a XXXX agent named XXXX who indicated that she was submitting a request to Financial Management for the payment to be reapplied -- months later that has not happened. I have called XXXX numerous times and each time I am told that although they see the error on their part that there is nothing they can do. When I call XXXX, I am told that although they are the ones managing hundreds of thousands of dollars of my loans that they are in no position to do anything. I imagine that transferring large loans would sometimes require some adjusting, or correcting but XXXX is refusing to be at all responsive. Lastly, I just want to provide a bit of background on why this matters. I don't mean to be difficult but simply can not afford a mistake like the one XXXX made. I am a public interest lawyer, currently interviewing for positions. My dream job will likely pay {$45000.00} and I have over {$100000.00} in student loans. Fortunately, my law school will pay for the loans I incurred while a law student. I am however responsible for paying my XXXX loans. That is why I needed and requested my payment be applied specifically to my Group C, XXXX loan.
Company Response:
State: MD
Zip: 20910
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2018-10-23
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2018-10-22
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Received bad information about your loan
Consumer Complaint: I received a XXXX Grant that was serviced through XXXX. Terms are -- 4 out of first 8 years of XXXX service must be spent XXXX in a XXXX XXXX XXXX, in a XXXX XXXX. Each year you must certify that you have fulfilled your yearly XXXX duty, or certify that you did not complete it -- but intend to complete the 4 year term before your 8 years are up. If this is not done annually, the grant turns into an unsubsidized loan. In my fourth and FINAL year needed, XXXX converted my grant to a loan citing that I did not certify my service for the year. -- I completed the electronic paperwork through my account on XXXX that certified the XXXX I XXXX at, my contact information, and my field of XXXX. -- I printed the PDF ( and saved a copy to my PC ) that can ONLY be printed after filing that my yearly service was completed. -- I had my principal sign the paperwork, and mailed it to the PO BOX I have mailed ALL of my previous 3 certifications to without issue. XXXX said they did not receive the paper, so they converted my grant to a loan because I did complete the annual service agreement. When discussing this with employees # XXXX and # XXXX I urged them to look at my account history, where they would clearly be able to see that I filled out the e-paper work ( which wouldn't show proof that they received it, but at the very least proof of INTENT on my part to continue my service ). However, according to these employees, when the grant converted to a loan all of my XXXX Grant account was erased. According to them, they can not look up any previous data or find any prior information about my grant because that is the procedure when the grant converts to a loan. This can be confirmed on my part as well, because in my XXXX account there is no ability for me to look at my archive. If we could see my archive, we could see proof that I did indeed fill out the paper work, which at the very least should prove my intent to fulfill this agreement, even though they conveniently did not receive my paperwork in the last year of my service. My principal would prove that she signed the paperwork, and if we could look at the date stamp on my erased account we would see that it was filled out on time.
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: 346XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2018-10-22
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2018-10-22
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Trouble with how payments are being handled
Consumer Complaint: In 2017 American Education Services applied my daughter 's payments ( I am the cosigner ) to the wrong loan. Upon receiving notices of delinquency, both my daughter and I repeatedly called AES, and were told that the payments had been corrected and that the notices of delinqency were a mistake. It continued to be a problem, but they continued to tell us that the payments were being correctly applied. Subsequently, the loan was placed in default and sent to collections. Attached are documents clearly showing that the last payment on the loan prior to it being declared in default was made on XX/XX/2017 in the amount of {$130.00}. Also attached is a letter from AES dated XX/XX/2017 stating that the payment is 149 days delinquent, which was clearly not the case. My daughter, and I, again contacted AES, but it was by then placed in default, and they refused to even discuss the matter. Presently, the loan is in collections with a company called XXXX XXXX XXXX.
Company Response:
State: PA
Zip: 18301
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2018-10-22
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2018-10-22
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Need information about your loan balance or loan terms
Consumer Complaint: I learned over 10 years ago that the Bush Administration passed a law that would allow those with outstanding loan debt forgiveness if they worked int he XXXX XXXX. For ten years I diligently paid my monthly bill so that I would have a blemish on my record. When I hit 10 years I applied to have my loan forgiven. I completed all of the necessary paperwork, provided work history, had my loan transferred from the third party vendor back to the DOE. To my surprise, after my loan was transferred I learned that I was not eligible because i had been on the wrong payment plan for 10 years. Why would a payment plan make a difference? I paid regularly, I worked in the XXXX XXXX, declined job offers from the private sector just waiting for the day that my dedication to XXXX XXXX would assist in the hefty weight of these loans. Once I discovered that I was ineligible I emailed my representatives in Washington. Not one responded to my particular issue. I got a curt, pre-populated response from one and no response from my senator. In my opinion the way that this was rolled out and so poorly represented to the public is fraudulent. Not once did my lender inform me of repayment options. When I graduated with my XXXX 's I consolidated my loans because that is what seemed to make the most sense at that time. There was no education about repayment plans and repercussions of not choosing the right ones. There was no re-education once this bill was passed outlining the need to amend my payment plan to ensure eligibility. Again, fraudulent, frustrating and a let down.
Company Response:
State: TX
Zip: 77346
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2018-10-22
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2018-10-22
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Received bad information about your loan
Consumer Complaint: Good Evening, I am currently working towards loan forgiveness via the PSLF program as an XXXX XXXX service member. I recently learned that 99 % of applicants were denied forgiveness for a very similar issue I have experienced. The first two years of my military service there was little information regarding the means to ensure compliance with the complex rules congress established for forgiveness. Further, the loan service company could not answer questions nor provide guidance. Merely through the assistance of an acquaintance, I learned that I must consolidate my loans in order to qualify for PSLF. Nearly two years of payments towards my initial loan payments, paid in the honest and fair spirit of the law, will not count towards loan forgiveness. I believe this is truly an unfortunate and saddening realization that clearly thousands of other public servants are facing. The execution of this program have failed those faithfully serving this great nation.
Company Response:
State: NC
Zip: 283XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2018-10-22
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2018-10-21
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan
Subissue: Can't get other flexible options for repaying your loan
Consumer Complaint: My request for an Income-Driven Repayment ( " IDR '' ) plan was improperly rejected on the basis that I do not qualify as having a financial hardship, when, in fact, I clearly do. I am married, and our combined gross income is {$97000.00}. My payment is about to increase to {$1300.00} monthly, which is {$16000.00} yearly. In other words, my monthly payment is about to increase to 16 % of our total gross income. For an Income-Based Repayment ( " IBR '' ) plan, a " partial financial hardship '' is defined as follows : " The annual amount due on your eligible loans, as calculated under a 10-year Standard Repayment Plan, exceeds 15 percent of the difference between your adjusted gross income ( AGI ) and 150 percent of the poverty line for your family size in the state where you live. '' The federal poverty line for a family of two ( 2 ) is $ XXXX/year. Thus, our total gross income minus 150 % of the federal poverty amount is {$72000.00}. {$97000.00} - ( $ 16,460*1.5 ) = {$72000.00}. Fifteen percent ( 15 % ) of this amount is {$10000.00}. As {$10000.00} is less than {$16000.00}, I qualify as having a partial financial hardship as defined for an IBR plan. For a " Pay As You Earn '' ( " PAYE '' ) plan, a " partial financial hardship '' is defined as follows : " The annual amount due on your eligible loans, as calculated under a 10-year Standard Repayment Plan, exceeds 10 percent of the difference between your adjusted gross income ( AGI ) and 150 percent of the poverty line for your family size in the state where you live. '' Ten percent ( 10 % ) of {$72000.00} is {$7200.00}. As {$7200.00} is less than {$16000.00}, I qualify as having a partial financial hardship as defined for a PAYE plan. Since I graduated from XXXX XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX, I have made payments on federal loans from two ( 2 ) servicers : ( i ) XXXX ; and ( ii ) XXXX XXXX ( a.k.a. the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency ). I have been on an Income-Driven Repayment ( " IDR '' ) plan for both loans, and my monthly payments have been manageable. In XX/XX/XXXX, I received a notice that it was time to re-certify my IDR plan. The letter from XXXX XXXX stated that, if I did not rectify my plan, my monthly payment would go up to {$1300.00} per month ( see attached letter ). I filled out the necessary information online. When asked whether anything regarding my income had significantly changed since I filed my XX/XX/XXXX tax return, I marked " yes. '' Since XX/XX/XXXX, I have been employed as an XXXX and have a higher income than last year, particularly since I was not employed at all for most of XX/XX/XXXX. I provided both servicers with my employment contract, my last two paycheck stubs, and my wife 's last two paycheck stubs. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received an email from XXXX XXXX stating that my request had been received ( see attached email ). On XX/XX/XXXX, I received an email from XXXX XXXX stating that my request had been denied ( see attached email ). The email stated that a letter would be mailed to me explaining the reasons for the denial. I never received the letter. I also tried calling the phone number in the email ( the only customer service phone number for XXXX XXXX that I could find ), but there was not an option to speak to a human being, and I was played an automated message stating the exact same thing that was stated in the email ( that my request had been denied and they would send me a letter explaining why ). On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a customer service email to XXXX XXXX asking for more information. I requested an explanation of why my request was denied, as I know that I do not make enough money not to qualify for the plan. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received an email from XXXX XXXX responding to my request. The email ignored most of my questions and simply stated that I did not qualify as having a partial financial hardship, without explaining why. My understanding is that my monthly payment under an IDR plan would be approximately {$900.00}, and that under a PAYE plan it would be approximately {$600.00}. As the request I submitted asked that I be placed on the repayment plan with the lowest monthly payment, I can think of no reason that my monthly payment should be greater than {$600.00}. Further, this may be a high estimate, as I understand that my monthly payment should be calculated based on my " discretionary income, '' whereas the calculations I performed used my total gross income. My income is a combination of salary and quarterly incentive payments, as described in the attached documentation. When I originally submitted my request to recertify my plan, I still had one ( 1 ) incentive payment left for the year XX/XX/XXXX. Thus, it was not entirely clear what my income for XX/XX/XXXX would be. However, in order not to qualify as having a partial financial hardship under the IDR plan, our combined income would need to be at least {$120000.00}. Under no reasonable interpretation of the documents that I submitted to XXXX XXXX could I be deemed to make that much. I believe it is absolutely clear that Studentloans.gov and/or XXXX XXXX was in error in making these calculations. However, I have not even been provided with so much as an explanation of how or why they determined that I do not qualify. I believe I am entitled to such an explanation at the very least.
Company Response:
State: LA
Zip: 70806
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2018-10-22
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2018-10-21
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Problem with customer service
Consumer Complaint: My student loans for my teacher credential program were taken out in XX/XX/XXXX. I have now worked for 20 years as a XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX setting. I have paid on these loans since I completed my credential program and owe {$8700.00} as of this date. I completed the loan forgiveness paperwork in XX/XX/XXXX and AES replied that my application was incomplete. I finally resubmitted the application with copies of my credentials in XX/XX/XXXX. I again received a letter stating that my application was incomplete. I again sent in the copies of the application and my XXXX XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received notice that my application was incomplete because " the documentation you submitted to our office indicates that you teach science or math in a secondary school. If, so please submit a copy of your full sate certification ... '' As stated above, I do NOT teach science or math, I XXXX XXXX XXXX. I am sending a letter to AES in response to this along with all the documents I sent in XX/XX/XXXX, but I am extremely frustrated with them and view this as a attempt to deny the loan forgiveness I am very much eligible for. This is either incompetence or obfuscation.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 90808
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2018-10-21
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2018-10-21
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Received bad information about your loan
Consumer Complaint: XX/XX/2012 I was going to attend XXXX XXXX College. A little XXXX school. I withdrew before starting and loans were still disbursed to this scam school. For the past 6 years I have been trying to get it discharged like the ombudsman said to do but XXXX XXXX XXXX keeps denying and won't tell me why.
Company Response:
State: LA
Zip: 70810
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2018-10-21
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2018-10-20
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Subissue: Old information reappears or never goes away
Consumer Complaint: XXXX student loans They still have acount of all Three credit reporting companies Acount students loans XXXX student loan Or XXXX XXXX XXXX Or loans have been pay off
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: 33990
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2018-10-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A