Consumer complaint received 2024-07-17
Product: Student loan — Private student loan
Issue: Getting a loan — Confusing or misleading advertising
Company: Navient Solutions, LLC. (NY)

I attended the University XXXX XXXX  from XXXX  XXXX to Spring XXXX, when I graduated with my XXXX I was a community college transfer student in the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX The program was marketed as a prestigious opportunity for non-traditional students, particularly those from XXXX  colleges, to earn an XXXX XXXX degree. The advertisements emphasized inclusivity and the promise of support for low-income students. All over the XXXX  website were claims that low-income students would qualify for the no-loan financial aid program. However, it wasn't until I had already moved to XXXX and registered for classes that I was informed that the no-loan policy did not include students in the XXXX XXXX 

From one of the attached recruitment emails, " As a XXXX student in thXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX you will have access to the same classes, the same faculty, the same classmates, the same resources, and the same diploma as the undergraduates who are taking a more traditional path. '' The financial strain caused by XXXX XXXX misleading practices had severe consequences for my family. My partner and I faced significant debt, causing immense stress and pushing us to the brink of XXXX. XXXX 's policies exacerbated our financial instability, undermining the dream of an XXXX XXXX education and placing a heavy burden on our household. The emotional and mental toll of this situation was profound, affecting our daily lives and well-being. 

I also experienced significant difficulty with the credit transfer process. As a first-generation college student, I had minimal support navigating this process. XXXX did not confirm which of my community college credits would be accepted until very late in the process. I had already turned down another university that accepted all my credits, believing XXXX XXXX  program offered a no-debt opportunity, only to face academic setbacks and added financial burdens due to the delayed and incomplete credit transfer process. 

I also had a negative experience with my private student loans. Misled into believing I qualified for XXXX 's no-loan policy, I was forced to take out substantial loans. My partner 's family had to co-sign these loans because my parents were unemployed. The pressure to accept these terms was intense, and I was led to believe it was my only option, resulting in a significant financial burden. The financial aid department at XXXX pushed me towards Sallie Mae, with staff members having connections with their representatives ( see attached emails ). Due to the high interest rates, I eventually refinanced through XXXX, part of the Navient/Sallie Mae family , which was absolutely necessary to manage the financial strain. The financial aid representative at XXXX that I reached out to put me in touch with her associate at Sallie Mae to help me navigate the situation. She thought they would be able to help me. This representative simply suggested that I refinance with XXXX when I could. 

I chose to attend XXXX over another four-year institution, lured by the promise of an XXXX XXXX XXXX and the supposed financial support for low-income students. This decision, influenced by misleading advertising, resulted in significant financial and academic challenges that I had not anticipated. This other institution accepted all of my other credits upon acceptance. Had I known that I was not going to be included in the no-loan program, I would not have gone to XXXX and would have been in a significantly better financial situation. The financial difficulties and the need to take out large private loans have negatively impacted my credit. I have experienced issues with credit reporting, making it difficult to secure financing for essential needs such as a car or a lease. The burden of debt has had a long-lasting effect on my financial stability and creditworthiness. 

I experienced numerous issues with the financial aid process, including pressure and misleading information. Unlike traditional undergraduates, XXXX  students received their financial aid packages on a rolling basis, creating uncertainty and stress. Critical information about the exclusion of XXXX  students from the no-loan policy was withheld until it was too late to reconsider my options, leading to significant financial strain. 

The recruitment tactics used by XXXX were aggressive and high-pressure. The program was portrayed as a beacon of hope for non-traditional students, using our stories to market diversity and inclusivity. However, the reality was starkly different, with XXXX  students excluded from the no-loan policy and facing significant financial and academic challenges. The misleading recruitment tactics lured me into a situation that was far from the supportive environment promised. 

My experience at the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  program was marked by misleading advertising, aggressive recruitment tactics, and significant financial and administrative challenges. The promises made during recruitment were not fulfilled, and the support for non-traditional students was grossly inadequate. This situation has had a profound impact on my life, leading to substantial debt, financial hardship, and negative effects on my credit. I believe I was misled and cheated by the XXXX XXXX XXXX and I am seeking legal support to address these grievances. Thank you for considering my case. 

I also recommend reading the following article where other students share similar experiences from around the time I graduated : https : XXXX Select quotes : - " For XXXX, XXXX is his dream school but certain administrative and financial aid policies in XXXX have disappointed him and many other students who envisioned a more traditional XXXX experience. '' - My financial aid package is really not big enough and sometimes it is a struggle to keep up with paying rent and taking care of my family while taking out all these loans. 
- " XXXX  lists four financing and payment options for XXXX  students on its website : loans, direct loans, direct PLUS loans and the XXXX monthly budget plan. Around XXXX percent of XXXX  students take out these loans, but for some students, it is still not enough. '' - `` XXXX said that his interaction with XXXX  was probably the most stressful part of his transition to XXXX. '' - Some noted that they received their aid packages from XXXX much later than at other institutions.