Consumer complaint received 2017-01-26
Company: Navient Solutions, LLC.
State: MT
Product: Student loan
Sub-product: Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Dealing with my lender or servicer
Sub-issue: Don't agree with fees charged

Complaint:
In XX/XX/2005, I was XXXX years old. My then husband walked out of our marriage, leaving me alone with my XXXX daughters who were XXXX old and XXXX yrs old. I had no income as I had XXXX during the marriage. I had a XXXX. I was alone in the town and state which I lived. My closest relative lived XXXX miles away. I knew I had to do whatever it would take to provide an income to support my daughters and myself. I sold all that I could manage and XXXX with my daughters by my side. We were not eligible for XXXX or XXXX because my ex-husband sent us the EXACT cost for our marital bills which I was instructed by the court to pay directly - leaving absolutely NO income to feed or care for our selves. The girls had peanut butter, milk, cheese, and juice from XXXX. I was often fed by kind neighbors who would make soup for themselves and give me a portion. I XXXX and XXXX to trade for laundry soap and money to purchase diapers. I knew I had to do more! With every penny saved, my daughters and I left that town to a city where there was a university. I entered into the XXXX program, worked 30 hrs a week at XXXX, stayed up to XXXX nearly every night to study all the while providing for and loving my children without help from family and without other support. My dream was to one day buy a hobby farm of our own without a man and with the money I had earned from gaining an education in XXXX. This went on for 5 long years! I graduated with a XXXX and began a search for a job - no problem - right?! America NEEDS XXXX! But, no. Job openings are for experienced XXXX not XXXX XXXX. Finally, on my XXXX application I was offered a position. Just about that time my school loans started to become due. I was on the income based repayment program. I made very little money and supported XXXX children alone. I assumed that since the " government '' - then XXXX - understood my financial quandary and required a min. payment based on my circumstances, that they were satisfied with their payment received. However, later I would come to know that really my payment was to pay THEIR interest ONLY - I was making NO payment to MY principle loans even though I was never delinquent on my payments and worked hard to pay for the agreed amount. A year after that, I was out of work totally due to medical issues which prevented me from working at all. Again, arrangements were made and this time I was encouraged to take a forebearance on my loans. I did so. Again, my assumption was that the U.S. backed Navient was aware and compassionate for my situation. I was UNaware that while my agreed payment was XXXX - they would continue to capitalize on interest. I was outraged when I finally received a statement a year later - when I had to reapply for the appropriate repayment program. I was able to restart making payments, but was now XXXX of dollars in the rears for capitalized interest! How can you be so poor that it is agreed that you are TOO POOR to make any payment but they can continue to collect on you! This is absolute ROBBERY! Today - nearly seven years after beginning payments on these loans, I owe nearly {$4000.00} more then the original principle! I have paid nearly {$8000.00} in interest and {$1600.00} in principle! Because of this massive debt - which I have NEVER been delinquent on - my debt to income ratio has made it very difficult, if not impossible, for me to get other loans. I was NOT able to buy that hobby farm in my own name! I regret going to college! This debt has caused great XXXX, sadness, and tears! Over and over again, it haunts our lives and we are not able to get ahead! I agreed to pay MY fair share of debt, but I was not aware of this deceitful and disgusting manner in which Navient fills it 's pockets on the backs of moms like me.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation