Consumer complaint received 2026-03-09 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan — Problem with your payment plan
Company: MOHELA
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX Department of Education XXXX XXXX XXXX Ombudsman XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, KY XXXX Subject : Request for Ombudsman Review of Long Standing Student Loan from XXXX Dear Ombudsman, I am writing to respectfully request a full review of my student loan, originally taken in XXXX while I was serving in the United States XXXX ( XXXX ). The original principal amount of the loan was {$5000.00}. XXXX than XXXX years XXXX balance has grown to over {$100000.00}, an amount that I believe is neither reasonable nor aligned with fair lending or repayment practices for a loan of this size. By way of background, I grew up in the projects of New York XXXX and worked hard to build a better life through education and service. While serving XXXX during the XXXX XXXX as a combat medic supporting the XXXX and XXXX XXXX at a XXXX XXXX while raising a wife and XXXX young XXXX enrolled in my XXXX graduate level course through the University XXXX Oklahoma. I completed my XXXX service not knowing I had any remaining balance, as I believed the XXXX would cover most of the cost under the programs available at the time. Years later, I was notified that the loan had gone into collections. During that period, I faced significant personal and financial challenges including job transitions, divorce, child support obligations, and pressure to refinance under threat of wage withholding. These hardships contributed to missed payments and the compounding interest that now represents the majority of the debt. I fully acknowledge my responsibilities as a borrower. However, the extreme growth of this decades old loan does not reflect what I believe to be a fair or equitable outcomeparticularly given my service as both a XXXX and a XXXX XXXX I have spent my life serving my country and my community, and I am asking for a fair, thorough, and humane reassessment of this situation. I am respectfully requesting assistance in reviewing : XXXX. The accuracy of the current balance, including interest, fees, capitalization, and any compounding applied over XXXX decades. XXXX. Whether military related provisions, protections, or relief options should have applied during or after my service. XXXX. Potential eligibility for adjustment, waiver, or reduction under federal programs, hardship considerations, age related loan review guidelines, or administrative remedies. XXXX. Any corrective actions that may be available in consideration of the extraordinary age and disproportionate growth of this loan. I am committed to resolving this matter in good faith. I would greatly appreciate your guidance and support in reviewing this case with compassion and fairness. Please advise me of any documents you may need. I am prepared to provide loan records, service paperwork, and any other materials that may help in your evaluation. Thank you for your time, attention, and willingness to review this long standing issue. I sincerely hope we can work together toward a fair and reasonable resolution. Respectfully, XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX / XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation