Consumer complaint received 2017-06-01
Company: SLM CORPORATION
State: NY
Product: Student loan
Sub-product: Private student loan
Issue: Getting a loan
Sub-issue: Denied loan

Complaint:
I have been trying to get a student loan from Sallie Mae for the past year now. Every time I have applied, they have rejected me. I was told at first that it was because of a collection on my history which I called the collection agency and the party involved and was dimmed a mistake on the party 's end. They fixed the issue. I told Sallie Mae it was no fault of mine and that the issue was resolved. Sallie Mae told me to reapply, of which I did and the second time was denied. I asked them why a second denial but was told they would send the denial letter to my address which would tell me the reason ( s ) I was denied.
I got the letter the following week and it was the same exact reason the first one was denied. I called them to find out what was wrong but was told it could be my credit score and the fact that I am not a XXXX XXXX. But I told them that I am a XXXX XXXX with a XXXX XXXX. Also told the agent that my credit score was XXXX both for XXXX and XXXX. I have no late payments in any of my bills. He did n't know what to say but for me to reapply again but this time with a co-signer.
This time I asked my wife to co-sign for me. By the way, my wife 's credit score is close to XXXX on both XXXX and XXXX with an outstanding clean credit records/history. After we both applied again, using her my co-signer, we were denied again. I asked why, how is it possible to deny two people with perfect credit score and history? Again, the agent replied " I can tell you on the phone, I will have to send a letter to your home address '' At this time frustration is already building up.
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We decided to borrow money from family members for me to go to school. My mother in law had to close one of her 401K to give me the money. Now after 10 months, I have even built my credit worthiness and score higher. No collections whatsoever is in my account. I received a letter from Sallie Mea to reapply and that I have a great approval eligibility. I ignored it as I have been ignoring all their emails and letters to reapply since XX/XX/XXXX 2016. However, my wife wanted me to give it another try because we need the money for the fall and spring semesters. I was still reluctant as I believed it would be a waste of time.
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Finally I decided to call Sallie Mae and did a phone application as always. Again, I was rejected even with a very clean financial records and history. This time I have had enough of Sallie Mae. I asked the agent why is Sallie Mae bent on not approving a loan to me? He said he does n't know. I asked, is it because I am not XXXX? Or do n't I deserve an education like my classmates with not so good of a credit history but are XXXX? I do n't like bringing the racial card, but at this point it is obvious is not my credit history or score but my skin color. I need money to go to school. I have one more year to go but Sallie Mae seemed to have made it their mission to prevent me from finishing college.
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If it was just me, maybe I could overlook it, but my wife cosigning for me with a great credit history? And still denied twice?
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I really do n't know what to think except that Sallie Mae is discriminating against XXXX or XXXX XXXX who are trying to better themselves and that of their families.
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Please I will truly appreciate it if this goes to the right people and actions are taken to fix this because we have done everything we need to do on our parts to keep a good credit score, history and lifestyle. Never thought of all loans to get, the student loan would be the problem. Buying our home was n't a problem, our cars were n't any issues at all, but student loan of {$16000.00} is a problem? I do n't understand this at all.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation