Consumer complaint received 2024-12-19 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Private student loan
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan — Problem lowering your monthly payments
Company: SLM CORPORATION
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
My co-signer ( my father, who is now retired ) and I took out a {$120000.00} loan with Sallie Mae in XXXX ( it is now at {$140000.00} ) to cover my XXXX XXXX XXXX and pursue a career as an XXXX XXXX  After XXXX  I became a XXXX XXXX  to build the required XXXX XXXX before joining an XXXX. During this time, I requested forbearance, which Sallie Mae granted for six months because I couldnt afford the {$1400.00} monthly payment. 

Repayment started in XX/XX/XXXX. I called Sallie Mae before the first payment was due on the XXXX, asking for assistance, but I was told they couldnt do anything because the account was in good standing. They first gave me some payment options and I still couldnt make that amount because it was only a few hundred dollars less. They advised me to call back in XXXX. When I called in XXXX, I was told the same thing, and no solutions were offeredjust vague instructions to call back in XXXX. Despite calling several times in XXXX ( each week, with the most recent call being on XX/XX/XXXX ), Im still getting the runaround and being told to wait until XXXX to discuss options. 

Ive missed two payments and have been calling almost weekly for assistance. Most of the time, I get conflicting and often incorrect informationsome representatives even told me to pay what I can, but thats not what others have said. Ive been given no options this time and flat out " we can't do anything for you ''. 

Whats even more frustrating is that several of my classmates from the same program were able to negotiate payments of {$500.00} per month, yet I havent been offered any similar optionactually, no options at all now. Every time I call, I get inconsistent, unhelpful answers, and some representatives even tell me their system is down. The latest update, as of XX/XX/XXXX, per XXXX is that because I took forbearance, they can no longer offer me any assistancewhich was never communicated to me when I applied for forbearance six months ago, and no one mentioned it during any of my previous calls. 

I was then told to call back on XXXX XXXX what will be my third missed payment. I know that after 60 days, this will be reported to the credit bureau ( which is fast approaching in XXXX ), and its causing me incredible stress because I know it will ruin my credit. 

I want to make payments but simply can not afford the full amount. Unfortunately, Sallie Mae refuses to accept anything less than the full payment. As a XXXX XXXX I earn about {$1200.00} every two weeksbarely enough to cover basic living expenses including food, let alone this loan. Ive already signed a contract to work with XXXX XXXX, but due to hiring delays, I wont have a start date for another 12 months. I would like to note that I also sent XXXX letters to them on XX/XX/XXXX and stated in the letter my financial hardship and requesting help since I cant seem to get it over the phone. 

I am desperate and dont want this loan to destroy my life and my fathers financial stability. As he is well into retirement and is on a fixed income. Its ironic that Sallie Mae would rather see me default than accept a smaller payment that I can afford. I fully intend to pay off this loan as soon as Im able. I have a promising career ahead, but I just need temporary relief to get through this challenging time. Im pleading and desperate for help.

Company public response: Company believes complaint represents an opportunity for improvement to better serve consumers
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief