Consumer complaint received 2017-01-19
Product: Student loan — Non-federal student loan
Issue: Dealing with my lender or servicer — Trouble with how payments are handled
Company: Navient Solutions, LLC. (OH)

I read the Press release today regarding the systematic and illegal activity Navient has participated in and I know I have also been a victim of their unscrupulous practices. I 'm sure you guys have all kinds of people coming out of the woodwork looking for some kind of payout they do not deserve. I implore you to think of this complaint differently. I am not in default and have never defaulted on a XXXX XXXX - Navient loan. I currently pay close to {$2000.00} a month in student loans for my XXXX education, which is roughly 43 % of my take home monthly income. I have had many issues over the past years and will summarize them here. 

First, I was encouraged to go into forbearance rather than being offered an affordable repayment plan. Then, I was put on a repayment plan where I paid the amount owed for 2+ years and my principal balance was actually higher than when I started repaying the loans. I had automatic withdrawals set up and when my interest would fluctuate up by a few pennies, the full amount was not withdrawn and then I was charged late fees for the unpaid pennies. I called countless times to try and figure out what was happening and each time there was no resolution. I was beside myself and felt helpless. I was even told one time that my payments were being received and were not being applied to principal/interest as it should, that part of my payments were being held over for future payment. I am not certain what the truth is because each time I would call over the years I would get a different, and less than helpful explanation. 

The years of anguish I have endored has been very defeating and frankly has had a very negative impact on my quality of life. I tried to escalate my complaints and struggles numerous times to no avail. I still currently owe over {$150000.00} and have been out of school since 2008. I do not believe I have ever missed a single payment, even though at times it was difficult for me to find money left over for food, gas and other essentials. I have felt strongly over the years that what was happening to me just was n't right. Having a XXXX XXXX, I 'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I just did n't know what to do or who could help me. 

I consolidated about a year or two ago and chose Navient because they already had other loans, so I thought it would be easier. Boy was that a mistake I have grown to regret. They provided me incorrect information on a number of occasions and I had to call many times to try to get to the bottom of it and I still not convinced this was done properly. 

Th last part of the allegations I read that hit a nerve was the piece around the co-signers. XXXX of my several loans have co-signers and I have asked repeatedly if they could be released. I was told that they signed the contract and that it was n't possible. I am still unsure if it is, however when I read the press release I thought perhaps it could be. I would most certainly wish to do that if possible. 

You may need to forward this to Navient and they will probably find no wrong doing on their part, however I ask that you, the CFPB investigate my loan history and decide for yourself if I was treated fairly and provided with the necessary and correct information in order for me to make informed decisions in my best interest. 

Thank you for the work you do!