Date Received: 2022-01-28
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Received bad information about your loan
Consumer Complaint: For years after my loan was transferred to Navient from Sallie Mae and before that it was XXXX ; none of these providers ever helped or informed me about how my public service position could result in possible forgiveness. I inquired about public service student loan forgiveness through both Navient and Sallie Mae over the years and was told I did not qualify but they never told me why ; I realize now it was because these loans were refinanced and they did not want to let go of monies I paid them. They made no effort to provide any guidance or assistance over the years. I have worked as a XXXX XXXX for 18 years now and continued to be told there was nothing I could do about it. I applied for forgiveness a few years back in XXXX and was told then that the payments I had made did not qualify because of the lender. During the required student loan exit During the pandemic when I had some trouble paying because I was being furloughed by my employer they also never worked with me so that I could take advantage of the assistance the government was providing to people in my situation. I want to understand why for so many years now they and the government have neglected to recognize that I have made over XXXX payments, I have worked over 10 years and continued to work as a public servant ; so why do these payments not qualify under the public student loan forgiveness program? I have paid well over the amount I've borrowed by now but continue to be told my loans do not qualify? I also want to understand why the information about public service related forgiveness wasn't part of my student loan exit interview. I feel like this information was valuable and would have resulted in my not consolidating my loans if I had known about this program and that my consolidating and the transfer of my loans later would lead to my not qualifying for public service student loan forgiveness. Again, I've been a XXXX XXXX for 18 years now. It is unfair to me that others with loans fresh out of college get to benefit yet I still continue to pay and pay despite my service and involvement in my community.
Company Response:
State: TX
Zip: 77072
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-01-28
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-01-28
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Received bad information about your loan
Consumer Complaint: In XXXX, my wife and I consolidated our loans into a single FFEL Spousal Consolidation loan. This loan was recommended by our loan servicer Sallie Mae. WE had no idea this financial product even existed. In XXXX, we discovered that we would qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness ( PSLF ) program. WE contacted our servicer and they told us we would qualify, we need to be in Income Bases Repayment, and that we need to keep working at a nonprofit. We recertified every year with Sallie Mae ( Navient ) : XXXX, XXXX, XXXX. XXXX through XXXX I spoke to a Navient representative and she informed me that our loans would not qualify for PSLF because they were FFEL Spousal Consolidation loans. They said I could qualify if I reconsolidated into Direct Loans with Department of Education. I called the DoE and went through my loans with a DoE representative and they said that I could reconsolidate. I filled out an application and waited and was denied the consolidation, wrong loan. The DoE said I needed to talk to Navient and they could change the loan. Navient said that they could do nothing so I needed to talk to the DoE and they could change the loan. On and on and on. Neither Navient nor DoE have ever given me consistent correct information about this loan. Ever.
Company Response:
State: ME
Zip: 046XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-01-28
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-01-28
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Subissue: Account information incorrect
Consumer Complaint: I co signed for a student loan in the amount of {$17000.00} in XX/XX/XXXX. Things went bad and the loan defaulted. It went into collections and was reported as a Charge Off in XXXX. I monitor my credit quite often and the status has remained the same for years now. A few days ago I checked my credit and all of a sudden it is listed as open, with a balance due of {$33000.00} but still listed as a charge off as bad debt. The last payment on this account was XX/XX/XXXX. When I spoke to Navient this morning the only explanation that I received was, this account was flagged due to the current law suit against them. I explained to the representative that there has been no activity on this account since XX/XX/XXXX, my credit score dropped XXXX points on agency and XXXX points on another and I felt that the statue of limitations has expired for collection of this debt. I felt like it fell on deaf ears, she could not offer any explanation other than it had been tagged due to the lawsuit. I feel like there have been some violations of the Fair Debt Collection Act. I have worked very hard to rebuild my credit over the years and this has literally devastated my credit overnight.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 94550
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-01-28
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-01-27
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Received bad information about your loan
Consumer Complaint: My husband and I hold a spousal consolidation Federal Family Education Loan ( FFEL ) - a program that was terminated in the early XXXX - which prevents my burden from becoming eligible for public service loan forgiveness, despite that I have been teaching in a qualifying public university for 19 years and have never missed a student loan payment since I started to repay my debt in XXXX. The original loan was for +/- {$85000.00} and to date, we have paid a total of +/- {$130000.00} in principal and interest. Apparently, although FFELs are federally guaranteed loans, they can be backed by banks or private lenders ( ours is backed by the State of New York ) and, currently, do not meet the US Department of Educations qualifying criteria for the PSLF program. Of course, the vast majority of students who took out FFEL loans did so long before the PSLF program was created in XXXX and, therefore, could not anticipate the criteria that would be used to determine which loans would qualify for a program that did not yet exist. For this reason, those borrowers under the FFEL program who meet the current criteria in place for PSLF should be grandfathered into the forgiveness program. They are federal loans as well as indicated in the very name of the program under which they have been issued. I should note that at the time of consolidation in XXXX, my husband and I were never told about these differences between FFEL and direct loans. Furthermore, the US Department of Education has severed millions of us from any kind of relief in the future. Borrowers with spousal consolidation FFEL loans can not reconsolidate into a new one a direct loan that is considered eligible under PSLF even if it means restarting the clock and making timely payments for an additional 10 years. There is no mechanism in place under which this can be done. In short, loan conversion is not possible and no relief is available to some of the longest-paying borrowers in the student loan system.
Company Response:
State: NY
Zip: 103XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-01-27
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-01-27
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan
Subissue: Can't get other flexible options for repaying your loan
Consumer Complaint: I have several federal student loans through Navient that were taken out in 2005 for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Through the years I have not been able to pay so I have been enrolled in an Income Based Repayment Program, which after so many years my loans would be forgiven IF I renew every year. Every year for about XXXX I have had no problems, until last year. I, like so many others lost their job during Covid lockdowns and safety measures. So I ended up on unemployment, making less than the previous year - which like so many years my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) annual renewal had zero problems. But when I make less money, I get repeatedly denied - just like this year when I applied in XXXX, receiving my rejection letter on XXXX. Currently I make less than {$1000.00} a month. Per the laws I am entitled to financial help, which Navient has denied for a second year in a row. Last year after literally yelling and screaming on the phone I was able to get my XXXX instated after seven months of fighting. And even then I was lied to because I was told I would only have to pay {$17.00} a month but actually paid over {$24.00} a month, so you can see I have zero trust for Navient and its practices due to their repeated disingenuous actions. This years rejection letter stated that because I am paid XXXX out I am not eligible for financial help. Why am I paid 12 months out? Why do I continue to be rejected when I make even less money each year for the past two years? No one will answer me in the multiple attempts trying to contact Navient. It is my belief since my loans would be forgiven in about XXXX Navient is now trying to ensure that I fail at my renewal so they can up my monthly payments, and ensure that my loans never are forgiven. Since I had so many years of successful annual renewals for my XXXX program, its really the only avenue I see from their repeated behaviors over the past 24 months. Also since the loans have been issued I have received at least three class action suit payments due to Navient 's blatant infractions, which reinforces my belief that Navient is now being disingenuous and again attempting illegal business practices ; because after all the crime is more than the fine these days. And lastly I believe I illegally paid Navient last year and now they are trying to cover it up saying I am paid over 12 months out. Thank you for your time and any help in regards to this matter.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 95926
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-01-27
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-01-27
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Don't agree with the fees charged
Consumer Complaint: This is the letter I wrote to Navient on XXXX XXXX XXXX. Below is my detailed Student Loan Information. I have also enclosed a pay-out history showing the payments that have been made to date, including CAPTIALIZED INTEREST and LATE FEES. I do not understand how I can be charged INTEREST in ADVANCE. The first loan was paid in full prior to the original due date, however, based on this CAPITALIZED INTEREST I was charged for interest on this loan for the entire duration of the loan even though I paid it off early. I would like detailed explanations for the following charges : 1. I would like an explanation and justification for the charges of Capitalized Interest. The TOTAL in CAPITALIZED INTEREST since XXXX is {$10000.00}. This is in addition to the monthly interest I have been paying. 2. The TOTAL in LATE FEES since XXXX ( which was a result of the XXXX foreclosure crisis when my husband lost his business ) is {$210.00}. 3. I would like an explanation of the an AdjustmenXXXX of {$1700.00} made on XX/XX/XXXX. 4. I would like an explanation of the fees charged on the following payments : Payment of {$250.00} on XX/XX/XXXX - {$210.00} fee Payment of {$240.00} on XX/XX/XXXX - {$22.00} fee Payment of {$380.00} on XX/XX/XXXX - {$11.00} fee Payment of {$190.00} on XX/XX/XXXX - {$11.00} fee 5. I would like an explanation as to why NOTHING was applied to my Principal Balance for payments on the following dates and ALL was applied to interest : XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX All payments that were made on the XXXX of the month for the entire year of XXXX All payments that were made for XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX and XXXX of XXXX In summary I have calculated the following : INTEREST PAYMENTS TO DATE : {$15000.00} CAPITALIZED INTEREST TO DATE : {$10000.00} XXXX. FEES {$260.00} LATE FEES {$210.00} UNEXPLAINED ADJUSTMENT {$1700.00} {$28000.00} It seems criminal to me to be charged {$28000.00} in interest and fees on a loan of {$48000.00}. I DEMAND AN EXPLANATION. I am wanting to pay the other 2 loans off within the next 30 days. I would appreciate an adjustment of the CAPITALIZED INTEREST as well as all the other interest and fees paid to date on these. You can calculate a PAID IN FULL date of XX/XX/XXXX. It appears to me that YOU owe money to ME. Please be advised I will take this to the highest authorities possible in order to have this type of criminal activity exposed.
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-01-27
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-01-27
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan
Subissue: Can't get other flexible options for repaying your loan
Consumer Complaint: Navient continues to hurt my credit but not call to negotiate less predatory terms with a more knowledgeable adult. They continue to offer invasive solutions that will require speaking to commissioned employees every six months to 1 year. Based off these terms I will be rewarded with increased payments based off my success or time. Please put my private loans in your XXXX XXXX dollar predatory lending settlement and remove the negative reporting.
Company Response:
State: IN
Zip: 46074
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-01-27
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-01-26
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan
Subissue: Can't get other flexible options for repaying your loan
Consumer Complaint: I have a student loan from 2000. Over the years I have had issues making payments. Every time I called Navient has steered me into deferments as my best option. I have deferred many times thinking it was in my best interest. Only to find out there were many other options that could have helped. After 21 years my loan amount owed has not moved in fact it has increased. I believe this is a shady act on Navient. How can I receive help?
Company Response:
State: NY
Zip: 14075
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-01-26
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-01-26
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Received bad information about your loan
Consumer Complaint: The school was non credited and was shut down. I tried to get my loans refinanced and then forgiven. The lender first told me that was not an option and I can do an IBR form. I found out in XXXX that because the school was shut down that I did qualify for a grievance which I put in XX/XX/XXXX. My interest rate continue to go up with no way of me repaying it. I have been dealing with this from the lender since XX/XX/XXXX. I have pleaded to get information on how to help lower my interest rate that keep accumulating. I also ask are there efficient payment plans that will help me get out of debt. They instructed me to go back to school, which created more debt. I owe over {$65000.00} in student loans, which I have no way to repay them and no credit left to purchase a home. I am asking for answer and help on what I should do now. I am a single parent living in public housing struggling to live a balanced life in this economy.
Company Response:
State: PA
Zip: 191XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-01-26
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-01-26
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Subissue: Received bad information about your loan
Consumer Complaint: I have two FFELP loans serviced through Navient. Both have been enrolled I. IDR/IBR since entering repayment in XXXX. My annual recertification was due in XXXX, with my current plan expiring on XX/XX/XXXX. I followed the instructions to submit my recertification application on studentaid.gov on XX/XX/XXXX. This is the same process I do every year. My application was processed on XX/XX/XXXX. The IRS sent a notification of access to the IRS data retrieval tool dated XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX I contacted Navient because my account had not updated. I was told that I did not submit my recertification documents. My IDR plan was not approved and my payment would be increasing on XX/XX/XXXX. After explaining that I did submit these documents, I was told that they did not receive them. Navient can not access information from studentaid.gov or request information from them. I would need to upload a recalculation request directly to the Navient website. I asked that my account be put on hold while the issue was straightened out so that my XXXX payment would not increase. I was told that because I was already in forbarence or had used that time, that was not possible. I confirmed with the representative that a recalculation would cause my interest to capitalize ; adding an additional almost {$2000.00} to my loans and extending my loan term. I also asked why I couldnt apply for forbarence or deferment when I have never used either option! I was told that because I did not submit my information I had effectively forfeited my income-based plan options. The representative emailed me the steps to submit a recalculation. I refused to do either! I became very frustrated and asked that my call be escalated. I was given this information twice! Finally I was passed to XXXX XXXX. She explained that it was studentaid.gov who was experiencing technical issues. She COULD request my documents be resent. And could expedite my recertification. I was told this process would likely take until XX/XX/XXXX. I received an email stating my plan was approved later that day. Had I not argued, in tears, with this company for two hours, I would owe them another {$2000.00}! I only knew to fight it because I had this happen before and had almost {$30000.00} added to my balance several years ago!!! I will never get out from under these loans because they provide false information and trick borrowers out if repayment plans and benefits!
Company Response:
State: MI
Zip: 48430
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-01-26
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A