Consumer complaint received 2025-09-08 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Private student loan
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan — Can't get other flexible options for repaying your loan
Company: SLM CORPORATION
State: TN

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding Sallie Mae and the unreasonable and predatory practices I have experienced in connection with my private student loans. 

Background : I recently graduated in XX/XX/XXXX with a degree in XXXX XXXX. 

I currently have multiple student loans serviced by Sallie Mae. 

My annual income is approximately {$25000.00}, and I am underemployed, working part-time ( XXXX hours per week ). 

Key Issues : Forced Payments While in School : While still enrolled in school, Sallie Mae required me to make payments. For example : On XX/XX/XXXX, I was billed and forced to make a payment of {$510.00}, which I could only pay late. 

Even after that payment, I still owed {$300.00}, which I could not pay until XX/XX/XXXX. 

These payments were made while I was still a full-time student, which contradicts Sallie Maes claim that students are not required to pay during enrollment if deferment is available. I was never provided a clear option to defer and was penalized despite my enrollment status. 

Unrealistic Repayment Demands : Upon graduation, Sallie Mae is demanding nearly {$900.00} per month in payments across my loans. This amount is entirely disproportionate to my income and financial situation. 

When I requested assistance, the only program offered applied to XXXX loan only, with no options for the others. I was told directly that nothing is available for my other loans. 

Collections Threats Instead of Relief : When I expressed that I could not meet these payments without sacrificing essentials such as housing and food, I was told to pay what you can afford and that if I fall XXXX days past due, collections will begin contacting me. 

This approach prioritizes collections over providing meaningful hardship assistance and leaves borrowers like me with no viable repayment path. 

Lack of Transparency and Support : I requested to speak with billing or another department that could assist further and was told such a department does not exist. 

I was told that collections may offer programs that servicing does not but only if I first fall behind. Forcing borrowers into delinquency before offering relief is unacceptable. 

Why This Is Harmful : Sallie Maes practices put me in a position where I must choose between paying for basic needs ( housing and food ) or staying current on my loans. This is not only financially unsustainable but also emotionally distressing. The companys refusal to provide comprehensive hardship options, its misleading communication regarding in-school payments, and its practice of funneling struggling borrowers into collections are unfair and predatory. 

Requested Resolution : A review of Sallie Maes servicing practices, particularly regarding hardship programs and communication about in-school deferments. 

Reasonable, affordable repayment options across all of my loans, not just one.

Assurance that borrowers are not forced into delinquency or collections as a prerequisite for receiving assistance.

Corrective action to ensure Sallie Mae is not engaging in misleading practices regarding in-school payments. 


Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Company public response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error
Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief