Consumer complaint received 2025-12-08 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Private student loan
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan — Can't temporarily delay making payments
Company: SLM CORPORATION
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Since XXXX I have been using loans. My father has been my co-signer with Sallie Mae student leans since fall of XXXX ( this entire time which is important for the situation ). My father also was enrolled in the auto pay for paying only {$50.00} a month to help me out while I finish up all my education. My father still has been doing this to this day until recent event that are coming up. 
After XXXX ( graduated in XXXX of XXXX ), I decided to go to XXXX XXXX  for my XXXX XXXX I graduated with my XXXX 2 years later ( XX/XX/XXXX ) using only grad plus loans. At this point I had time after graduating to find a job and pay loans back. I again moved and applied to XXXX XXXX XXXX that fall of XXXX and got into a program that started XXXX of XXXX. Again, at this point in XXXXXXXX  of XXXX, my loan companies wanted me to make payments until I started XXXX XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX. I did that and then went into deferment from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX. In XXXX I was unfortunately put on a medical leave from my XXXX XXXX XXXX 

The thing with XXXX XXXX  is that it is cohort based, meaning you are with the same class for 3 years. If you are dropped, go on medical leave, or ca not keep up with the cohort, you have to start again the next year. So as if right now I am automatically accepted and am going back to XXXX XXXX XXXX of XXXX ( I do not have to apply or even pay tuition for when I return ). 

Recently my biggest loan company, Sallie Mae has informed me of a very high bill I need to start paying ( between $ XXXX ) starting XX/XX/XXXX. Between my rent, car, and living expenses ( groceries... ect ) I can not afford it. I called Sallie Mae to ask for forbearence in XX/XX/XXXX and they told me there was nothing I could do except call in XXXX and see if they can do something then. They were asking how much I made which is nothing, and they still informed me the bill would still be what it is. 

I called XX/XX/XXXX ( 2 days before the first big bill ) and someone else at Sallie Mae had answered the phone. After re-explaining what I had discussed earlier. They told me they could put 2 out of my 7 loans on forbearance ( the two cheapest loans I have ) that only took a few XXXX off ( now the total is between $ XXXX. I was also informed to to pay what I can and call every month to see of I qualify for anything. To me that sounds like I get into fees and issues if I do not make payments. The next day ( XX/XX/XXXX ) after the phone call I have 5 loans needed to be paid and 2 are in forbearance. I paid {$12.00} for each of the 5 loans ( {$60.00} ). 

XX/XX/XXXX was the payment day and I thought I paid what I could early. On XX/XX/XXXX I get a call from my dad ( again, my co-signer ) saying that Sallie Mae had taken the remaining balance ( after I paid the {$60.00} ) from his account. I believe they took out between $ XXXX. My father has his own financial struggles to deal with and this is definitely not good. He only authorized paying {$50.00} a month and not taking out whatever balance left. Also, Sallie Mae had NEVER mentioned that the co-signer would be responsible if there was a balance. Not once. 

For me I only have about 5 months until I start school again. I currently am employed and am starting another job. It has been difficult to find more work because no one wanted to hire someone who will be leaving soon. I am in a tough situation and it is not like I would have wanted to leave my school because XXXX XXXX is my dream but I have to do what is best for my health at the time. I am okay but I am just trying to have my loans stay in forbearance until I go back or at least have me pay just a little bit. I do not have much to spare and I truly am doing everything I can but I can not let my Dad get impacted that bad as well. I am stuck in a bad situation and upon researching what do do I came across this.I understand I took loans out and have every interest in paying what I owe, I just am not in a current place to do it and my loans do not really care based off of telling me there is nothing they can do except take it all. Please get back to me with more information on what to do at your earliest convenience. Thank you so very much.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation