Consumer complaint received 2025-12-01 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: NY

Complaint narrative:
My student loan was distributed in XXXX for {$7500.00}. Since XX/XX/XXXX, I have been unemployed. I was previously employed as a seasonal worker which has made me ineligible for unemployment benefits ( I have applied and been denied twice. ) In XXXX, my monthly payment was {$180.00}. While I was working I was barely able to make my payments, so I contacted Sallie Mae regarding other repayment options. 

In XXXX, I was enrolled in a repayment program that lowered my monthly payment to {$61.00}. Despite this temporary relief, I continued to struggle to make payments due to my lack of employment. I contacted Sallie Mae again about possibly lowering my monthly payments. At first I was told the payments couldnt be lowered due to the repayment program I was in. I had repeatedly informed them of my unemployment status and my financial difficulties making payments. Later, my account manager advised me to enroll in a loan modification program where I would only pay the 2 % interest of my loan up to 180 months or the length of the loan. I have been in the loan modification program since XX/XX/XXXX, my monthly payment is currently {$55.00}. 

Between XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX, I relied on my emergency savings for food and personal expenses. Since XX/XX/XXXX, my financial circumstances have worsened, Ive been unable to provide food and other expenses for myself and instead I have been forced to ask family members for financial assistance despite their own ongoing difficulties with the rising cost of living. My co-signer lost their job in XX/XX/XXXX and they are still looking for a full-time job. 

Sallie Mae calls me and my co-signer on average three times a day. I understand that in order to stop the calls I would need to pay the past payments. Regardless, Sallie Maes incessant phone calls have bordered on harassment and abuse. Because I have struggled to find employment, my mental health has severely deteriorated in the last two years, and Salle Maes harassment has only made it worse. 

I spoke to a Sallie Mae representative on XX/XX/XXXX and they informed me that I have already used XXXX  repayment programs since XXXX : RP program, payment of interest program, graduated repayment program and a XXXX forbearance during the COVID pandemic. Due to my enrollment in these programs, I was told that I wouldnt be eligible for any other repayment programs. In past conversations with Sallie Mae account managers, I have repeatedly been asked personal questions such as : my employment status, contact info, when or if I graduated school, what my major was, why my co-signer wasnt able to assist, and what was preventing me from securing employment. When Ive informed my account managers about my unemployment, theyve asked how I pay for other bills or expenses such as rent or food. They are clearly implying that if I can struggle to find food, then I can struggle to pay Sallie Mae. The lack of empathy and unethical practices I've experienced with Sallie Mae is a classic example of predatory lending.

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