Consumer complaint received 2022-04-25
Company: Maximus Education, LLC dba Aidvantage
State: KY
Product: Student loan
Sub-product: Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan
Sub-issue: Can't get other flexible options for repaying your loan

Complaint:
The three problems given to select from did not accurately describe my issue. I had to choose this option although I am already in IDR program. I will explain further... 

When entering XXXX XXXX University in XXXX, I explained to this institution and XXXX XXXX ( loan servicer at that time ) that I was on XXXX since XXXX for XXXX andXX/XX/XXXX, through the Social Security Administration, and receiving XXXX, XXXX, and public assistance benefits. To receive aid and return to higher ed, I agreed ( through promissory ) never to ask for forgiveness of debt due to XXXX. My education continued at XXXX XXXX with several loans ( all now consolidated into two - sub and unsub ) throughout XXXX. I was on my own, without assistance except from Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Security, the PASS program for XXXX individuals in college, and my own merits with scholarships. I went into great debt achieving my master 's degree, which I got with highest honors XX/XX/XXXX, at graduation. The current total I owe ( interest keeps exponentially increasing the debt ) is XXXX. I feel as if I am chained for life to this debt and there is no way to get out from under it. I am drowning in it! 

From graduation, it took six months fighting for approval of my licensure with the XX/XX/XXXXProfessional Counselors Board ( because of my history when XX/XX/XXXX and in active XX/XX/XXXX, which I overcame when entering recovery in XXXX ). I received XXXX licensure XX/XX/XXXX and began my first career employment at XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. At this time, I was taken off of public assistance and eventually, XXXX and XXXX. I sought public service program for repayment yet could not get in because my employer was " for profit, '' I was informed by XXXX XXXX loan servicer agent. I was instructed to " stay in forbearance and IDR program '' because " it is in your best interest. '' I spoke with XXXX for annual renewal in XXXX ; for, my loan had been transferred to them due to issues with XXXX XXXX, informing XXXX that I was working and now earning a substantial salaried income as a therapist ( XXXX annual ). I wanted to begin repayment in my IDR program. I was informed that I was " in forbearance '' and " don't want to pay while in it because it will kick you out of the program. '' I worked at this employer from XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX, when I had a physical exhaustion breakdown and ended the job going back onto SSDI and public assistance once more. I was not eligible for XXXX any longer due to former employment income. The annual service loan recerts went on, and each annual review I was told the same thing ... " It is in your best interest to stay in forbearance. 

I could not handle working in communal mental health and stay well myself ; therefore, I decided to open my own private practice and did so on XX/XX/XXXX. I did not begin earning income however, because we went into lockdown from the pandemic, and I could not see clientele. I got my XX/XX/XXXXXX/XX/XXXX and began working both in my private practice, XX/XX/XXXX, along with an online contracted position through XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX. I began receiving compensation for services I rendered beginning in XX/XX/XXXX. 

Prior to this, I decided that I was getting nowhere fast but into increasing debt from interest, so I began making minimal payments into myXX/XX/XXXX account, against agents ' advice, on XX/XX/XXXX. I wanted to begin establishing some sort of payment history to begin resolving this debt that holds me back so gravely and effects my credit score horribly! I have been paying monthly minimally since this onset of payments. 

Recently, my loan was again transferred due to XXXX unethical practices, to XX/XX/XXXX. I am now working with them and making minimal payments through them now. 

I saw where IDR programs are now being investigated for the exact thing I have experienced... Being coerced into forbearance, misinformed about IDR, and kept in limbo while debt increases each day. Please help me. Thank you very much for listening! 

I have been a public service agent on the front lines as a therapist since obtaining licensure in XXXX, and I have been a first aid responder in multiple local disasters ( pandemic, XXXX XXXX shooting, and XXXX tornado ). 

I am again finding myself in a place of limitations due to XXXX, rising burnout, and with increasing medical issues. Thus, I have had to decrease workload exponentially. I am no longer salary in my positions and can provide tax info if needed. I am not sure how much longer I can keep working. I just need help with this debt please as it causes so muchXX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX! 

All my best, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation