Consumer complaint received 2018-04-11
Company: NEW YORK STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES CORPORATION (HESC)—
State: NY
Product: Student loan
Sub-product: Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan
Sub-issue: Problem lowering your monthly payments

Complaint:
I received a letter in a mail stating that I needed to contact HESC by the end of XX/XX/XXXX or they would begin garnishing my paycheck. At the end of XXXX after securing over time, I contacted HESC and I was told that I waited until the last minute and that they would move forward with garnishing my paystubs ; if I did not agree to a $ XXXX monthly " voluntary payment schedule ''. I explained that I could not afford that amount but was told if I did not accept that they would move forward with garnishing my check. 

I started making payments as followed : Date Payment Note XX/XX/XXXX {$450.00} Voluntary payment XX/XX/XXXX {$250.00} ( Garnishments started ) I was unaware XX/XX/XXXX {$310.00} ( Garnishment ) XX/XX/XXXX {$450.00} Voluntary payment, still unaware XX/XX/XXXX {$380.00} ( Garnishment ) XX/XX/XXXX {$400.00} ( Garnishment ) on XX/XX/XXXX prior to submitting my third voluntary payment ; I contacted HESC for a detailed payment breakdown. On this date I found out HESC submitted payroll garnishment of which they told me on XX/XX/XXXX. Also adding that there was nothing they could do about it. Please note : garnishments actually started on XX/XX/XXXX after I had already set up repayments with the company. When I told them I could not afford to make three sets of payments they told me to stop making the voluntary payments.

XX/XX/XXXX {$330.00} ( Garnishment ) XX/XX/XXXX {$250.00} ( Garnishment ) XX/XX/XXXX {$260.00} ( Garnishment ) XX/XX/XXXX {$280.00} ( Garnishment ) XX/XX/XXXX {$310.00} ( Garnishment ) XX/XX/XXXX {$390.00} ( Garnishment ) XX/XX/XXXX {$260.00} ( Garnishment ) XX/XX/XXXX {$320.00} ( Garnishment ) XX/XX/XXXX {$380.00} ( Garnishment ) XX/XX/XXXX {$320.00} ( Garnishment ) XX/XX/XXXX {$330.00} ( Garnishment ) I contacted my representative on XX/XX/XXXX leaving a voicemail pleading to have the garnishment released so that could consolidate all of my student loans, including those with the United States Department of XXXX. This was not my first time pleading for assistance. Prior to that date, my last set of requests were in XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. I did not receive a call back. 

Today, after waiting on hold for 25 minutes, I spoke to my representative siting I would speak to consumer finance and am fully aware that releasing the garnishment is by their discretion. For the first time, since this started in XXXX I was directed to the XXXX XXXX XXXX Consolidation Program website to request consolidation. Additionally, my Representative stated the process would be faster if I submitted my last two paystubs, copy of my XXXX and a detailed financial statement. I am disturbed that help is available ASAP as soon as I mentioned consumer finance. 


Please look into this matter All proof of payments are on my paystubs - I have submitted the breakdown below but have not included my stubs with all of my personal information

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief