Consumer complaint received 2015-12-05
Company: HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY (HESAA)
State: NJ
Product: Student loan
Sub-product: Non-federal student loan
Issue: Can't repay my loan
Sub-issue: Can't get flexible payment options

Complaint:
I co signed for XXXX student loans for my son.I have been trying to work with NJ Class Loans since XXXX. All XXXX loans were in good standing at that time.Then I lost my job as XXXX in XXXX due my employer moving to XXXX.I begged for income contingent payments as my son was incarcerated and payments/interest on unemployment were not possible. NJ Class did not respond and I was turned over to XXXX XXXX XXXX, who stated that I did not qualify for hardship, even on unemployment.I dealt with XXXX and XXXX XXXX in XXXX.I contacted the Federal Omnbudsman in XXXX, who responded she had no jurisdiction over NJ Class, to check back as she had received several pleas from others.In XXXX, I went to court and agreed to pay $ XXXX/month on the judgement for XXXX loan, now {$9200.00}, which will take me 6 years to pay.NJ Class stated they were unable to reduce the interest of 7.25 % .I made my first payment XX/XX/2013.Instead of allowing me to pay off XXXX at a time, I received a letter dated XXXX stating the remaining XXXX loans were consolidated, a total of $ XXXX.I consulted a few lawyers who advised me that NJ Class could only place XXXX wage garnishment on my wages.I stopped paying the judgement because $ XXXX $ XXXX/month garnishment on the XXXX consolidated loans would be financial disaster.We went back to court for wage garnishment, and the judge reduced wage garnishment from 10 % to 4 % of my gross earnings for the $ XXXX.It will take 6 years to pay off.XXXX XXXX came after me again within a week of court for the other XXXX consolidated loans, about $ XXXX.I wrote to Gov XXXX for help, and he forwarded my letter to NJ Class.I received a reply from XXXX XXXX who stated that I never made a payment on the judgement in XXXX XXXX and they were proceeding with a lawsuit against me for the other XXXX consolidated loans.This was my answer for income contingent payments and help.Although I agreed to make an additional payment of $ XXXX/month until the wage garnishment was satisfied, NJ Class is looking for a minimum of $ XXXX/month that I can not possibly afford. I have been advised by lawyers that the next step is to put a levy on my bank account, leaving me $ XXXX/month. My mortgage is over $ XXXX/month.How can anyone live on less than $ XXXX/month? How is this possible? I grossed {$36000.00} in XXXX, {$37000.00} in XXXX.I do n't understand why I am being driven out of my house of 23 years that I worked hard to keep and raise XXXX boys as a single mother.I am paying what the judge ruled was reasonable and affordable.It is not enough for NJ Class, and I am being prosecuted to the " full extent of the law '' according to XXXX XXXX.I have never refused to pay income contingent payments.They have none that I can afford.NJ Class is relentless, unyielding and inflexible.It is clear that I am not able to afford the inflated repayment of {$45000.00} for XXXX loans that originally totaled $ XXXX.Yet I am being driven to financial ruin at the age of XXXX.I am too young to retire and live on early retirement.I am unable to afford medical care for several health issues, but NJ Class is prosecuting me to the full extent of the law.My " crimes '', as I see it, are : I gave birth to my son, wanted him to succeed by co signing on student loans, my employer moved to XXXX, leaving me jobless in the worst economy in my lifetime, I am XXXX, have several health issues, and am underemployed.It is tough to get a job in this job market at my age, if not impossible.I have no college degree and can not get into management again.I was unemployed 3 years before I got my current position in XXXX XXXX as an accounts payable clerk.I have tried to refinance these loans but my credit is ruined because of NJ Class.Had I known how brutal NJ Class is, I would NEVER have co signed on any of their loans.How can our government allow this? Is there any help available for me?

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation