Consumer complaint received 2018-01-18
Company: Navient Solutions, LLC.
State: WA
Product: Student loan
Sub-product: Private student loan
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan
Sub-issue: Problem lowering your monthly payments

Complaint:
In XX/XX/XXXXI received offers for Tuition Answer loans from XXXX XXXX, ppaid to borrower ( myself ) as a single parent to assist the needs for my son beginning to attend XXXX. These funds were used to purchase a laptop, help buy and maintain an older car, transportation across state, pproperty insurance and various needs that happen.

He worked hard and attended XX/XX/XXXX-XX/XX/XXXX, didnt complete a degree program and unsure if in the right direction. He stoppped attending and returned home in XX/XX/XXXX, strived to find employment and regroup since.

After a 6 months grace period XX/XX/XXXX-XX/XX/XXXX I received a payment booklet that had payment " coupons '' for $ 300-400 a month. I was shocked and regrettably dont have this booklet anymore. I called and was told this was a 4 year payment plan. I stated I only borrowed what I felt I could afford to pay back averaging $ 50-75.00 a month basing on a federal loan review over a 10 year payment plan.and not a high income. At the time i worked basically part time with the public schools.

My principal has almost doubled since then, and am now QUESTIONING that my son is/was considered a " co-signor ''. In no way would I have had him a cosignor-an unemployed full time student striving to create a better way, a career, and some possibilities. He was receiving Stafford Loans, had a couple small scholarships to cover costs of attending and is striving to repay.

I BORROWED TO ASSIST HIM as a PARENT. I included his name as a student on the loan applications as the attending student thinking this was required, not as a co signor or borrower responsible for loans I was asking for to assist his education, and that I had SOME management over as an XXXX year old stepping into a university environment..and all that can happen on campuses ( sadly in many ways, for what is required of somewhat vulnerable young people, a big university, studies, time and money management ) He is striving to pay on Stafford loans and debts, and I do not want him included in this repayment.

I am currently maintaining a 37-40 hour employment, not a high paying position and have had housing cost double when the building was sold and upgraded, am self supporting and dont have extended family sources-nor does my son. This is an expensive area-XXXX- and moving isnt an easy option either.

I have been offered to look at a lump sum settlement (XX/XX/XXXX) possible reduction or forgiveness, have had the multiple robo calls, have had forbearances, and a lower interst program for 1 year ( XX/XX/XXXX-XX/XX/XXXX est ) I made a call on XX/XX/XXXX and was asked " what could I pay-attempting to avoid default '' - .I replied about {$50.00}. They said by XXXX XXXX tomorrow. I said I could n't do anything until a payday. and what would {$50.00} do or be applied toward?

I have since again contacted onXX/XX/XXXX and paid {$38.00}. I was offered a possible payment plan for 1 year of 1 % interest, {$110.00} per month and that the payments would not apply to principal until 7-8 months into the program. Right now, in all honesty this is what I have every 2 weeks for food, some gas. I am also paying on some small accounts, and see progress over time and to be paid for will improve my situation at some point over the year ahead.

I contacted a legal office to find some support, sent documents I have and this didnt resolve anything at this time. I have searched for other possible solutions and feel in circles right now, along with the many lawsuits taking place, so many questions and vague solutions.

I am frustrated and feel defeated, and that the amount will continue to grow no matter what I do.

This isnt a huge loan total with XXXX XXXXNavient, though it is doubling. One inquiry states 2 loans have been paid 60 %, 3 loans have been paid 30 %. The beginning principal was {$7800.00}. I strive to live within my means- which is not much.

I DO NOT WANT my son to be involved in this and feel this was misinformed and somewhat deceptive ( attending STUDENT, NOT a CO SIGNOR ), as well as the huge payment question referred to above, the forbearances, the same questions of what is going where and why does the amount just grow.

I have copies of dates and loans, have made payments and have had some forbearance periods, normally {$120.00} a month might be manageable yet to never see progress is very upsetting and feel the same as many other borrowers. I have some of the most recent letters to settle or lower or possible forgiveness.

So much doesnt make sense and i question accounting and the same questions of other borrowers with private loans. I wish I had never borrowed, somewhat uninformed on the results.

Thank you.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation