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

Complaint: 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 I had automatic withdrawals set up and when my interest would fluctuate up by a few pennies, the full amount was not withdrawn and then I was charged late fees for the unpaid pennies.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!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation