Consumer complaint received 2015-06-29
Product: Student loan — Non-federal student loan
Issue: Can't repay my loan — Can't get flexible payment options
Company: AES/PHEAA (FL)

I went to XXXX XXXX College. I graduated XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX and jumped right to XXXX College in XXXX XXXX. After being misinformed by counselors, my program was surplussed in XXXX and had to select another course schedule. In XXXX again that program was surplussed and I had to start over and select another course schedule. I finally graduated XXXX XXXX college in the XXXX of XXXX. I received an XXXX XXXX in XXXX. I then applied to XXXX and was accepted into their prestigious XXXX accelerated XXXX Program. When transferring over, I attempted to apply for financial aid because I was over the age of XXXX and could apply alone. My parents during the years I was in school were doing much better than ever. After the economic recession, like many families, my parents could n't help me for my XXXX. program. I was denied financial aid because my student loans were in default ... In XXXX, I applied for a student loan because my financial aid was denied due to my parents income. I felt the loan would be an okay option because I figured I would be able to finish school and get myself a decent job where I could afford to repay. I was very ambitious and ready to do well in school, so I applied and to my disbelief, I was approved online within minutes. The money was in my account within a couple days and the next day I was in the book store buying what I needed for my classes. I was never informed of what my repayment terms were, how long I would have to make payments, never informed when my payments were due. I was told as long as I was in school I did not have to repay. In XXXX, XXXX and XXXX, I applied for loans to kept up with the costs of classes, books, and costs of living. During the time I was in school, I also had part time jobs to keep up with with everything because as much the student loans helped, they did n't cover everything. Due to the constant yearly change in courses, I had to request numerous forbearance 's and deferments. In XXXX, I had used up all my forbearance and deferments, the only thing they could offer me to extend the repayment dues, was to apply for a low payment deferment in which I was told {$25.00} a month for all my loans for XXXX months. I agreed and started making payments. When I went to apply for financial aid in XXXX, I was informed my loans were in default. After further investigation, the program I agreed to was only XXXX months ( they misinformed me over the phone ) and in order to reinstate my loans would cost $ XXXX and my monthly payment would be $ XXXX, because I triggered a clause that allowed them to increase my interest. I plead and begged that they help me. I was a student that had not graduated and needed to finish and get my XXXX for at least a chance at a decent job. After 5 years of begging and pleading and asking for help and asking that they allow me to make payments I could afford ... NO ONE DID ANYTHING TO HELP EXCEPT THREATEN ME OF COURT PROCEEDINGS. I tried with XXXX XXXX, XXXX, and National Collegiate Trust. National Collegiate Trusts ' attorney are ruthless, after kindly pleading with them, they threatened and harassed me. I am now being sued and they may garnish what little wages I make and what little money I have saved. I, still to this day, have not been able to find a stable income job. I have no credit. Still living at home. I was a victim of predatory lending. They violated TILA and now I am to be forced to pay back these loans ( including the interest and penalties ) and further cripple any chance of me getting back on my feet. I initially took out a total of about {$40000.00} after the 6 years and now I 'm in the hole about {$110000.00}. In the past 3 years, I 've made less than XXXX in TOTAL!! I pray that my story will help others in my situation or planning on getting private loans before they ruin their chances at a future.