Consumer complaint received 2024-10-29
Product: Student loan — Private student loan
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer — Received bad information about your loan
Company: SLM CORPORATION (AR)

I am again filing a complaint against Sallie Mae regarding a student loan I obtained in XX/XX/XXXX for a course from " Court Reporting and Captioning at Home. '' I initially applied for this loan because I was led to believe the course would take only a few months to complete, allowing me to start earning an income quickly. My mother and I spoke with the courses main instructor, who mentioned completing the training herself in XXXX months. I expressed my goal to beat her timeframe, and she encouraged this without ever mentioning that the course generally takes XXXX years to complete. Given her experience and positive responses, we were confident in proceeding with the loan. However, I quickly discovered that the course was far more involved than expected, consisting primarily of memorization and requiring significantly more time than the instructor suggested. 

As someone with XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), a rare autoimmune and XXXX XXXXXXXX with XXXX  challenges, extensive memorization is highly difficult for me. I had not worked since late XXXX due to this condition, and I would not have taken out this loan had I known what the course truly entailed. Additionally, the course was described as offering " unlimited support, '' but the support I received was unhelpful, only reiterating material from the textbook rather than clarifying it. 

After contacting the course provider, they were defensive and denied any misrepresentation. I then contacted Sallie Mae to explain both my health situation and the misleading information I received from the program. Sallie Mae representatives suggested I file a Total and Permanent XXXX ( TPD ) application, assuring me that my loan would likely be canceled if I submitted proper documentation. Despite following their instructions and submitting all requested medical information, including an MRI showing a skull-base mass, Sallie Mae declined my request twice. 

In their response, Sallie Mae claimed that I was not considered TPD based on Minnesota XXXX physician statement and added that they are not responsible for the quality of the educational program or any alleged misrepresentation made by the school. They also stated that, per the Promissory Note, the loan is due regardless of dissatisfaction with the program. I find this response inadequate for several reasons : ***Misrepresentation by the Program : The course instructor did not clarify that her accelerated timeframe was exceptional or warn us that the program would typically require XXXX years and heavy memorization. This critical omission directly influenced my decision to take out the loan. An email from the instructor stated, I have not known anyone who has been able to complete their training in XXXX months as you suggest, except myself who many years ago learned a theory that was not realtime... I could practice around the clock, literally XXXX hours a day most days. I almost burned out. I wouldnt even recommend it to anyone who could practice that many hours. It was grueling. '' Her statement affirms that she misled us, as we did not have the full picture when deciding on the loan. 

***Impact of Health Condition : Since XX/XX/XXXX, I have been actively working with disability representatives to pursue assistance. My eye doctor initially assured me that my condition would qualify me for disability. I have since submitted all requested documentation, and most recently met with a psychiatrist as directed by the disability office. While this psychiatrist confirmed that my diagnoses align with disability requirements, he informed me that, due to my age, it would likely be challenging to secure approvala policy that I believe is discriminatory. My age should not hinder access to disability support when my health conditions, including XXXX, severe neuromuscular spirometry weakness, and Chronic Restrictive XXXX XXXX ( a condition severe enough to be considered a disability itself ), have rendered me unable to work. 

***Request for Reconsideration : I am entirely unable to pay off this loan because my health conditions make it impossible to work. The additional stress from XXXX XXXX lack of accommodation and refusal to release me from this loan could further jeopardize my health. My situation requires both understanding and flexibility from Sallie Mae, as I am currently unable to receive adequate treatment. I have contacted the school to explain my situation, speaking with both the Assistant Director of XXXX & XXXX Affairs ( XXXX XXXX XXXX and a representative from the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXXXXXX ). XXXX XXXX mentioned speaking to Sallie Mae on my behalf ; however, I am concerned that he may not accurately represent my situation, as he seemed to believe my decision was XXXX of unwillingness rather than inability. I reiterate that I am physically unable to continue in the program due to my health, and I request that my circumstances be considered fully. 

I respectfully request the CFPBs assistance in my case, taking into account the programs misrepresentation and the significant impact of my health. I would be grateful if the CFPB could advocate on my behalf with Sallie Mae to work toward a resolution that will release me from this loan obligation. Thank you for your attention to this matter.