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gogo
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Joined: 05/December/2005
Location: Canada
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Topic: At my wits end....... Posted: 05/December/2005 at 12:39pm |
I am new to this site, and am absolutely pleased to see that there are
people out there willing to support and help those who have had a
"run-in" with those who administer student loans. Thank you.
I will try to keep my issue short and sweet, and would appreciate any
advice given, as the advice I have seen on this site so far has looked
extremely helpful.
I am currently in the final year of a four-year degree. I am attending
Royal Roads University in Victoria, where I am finishing the last two
years of the degree (they offer programs that make up the last two
years of a four-year degree and offer it to those who have a two-year
diploma from another institution).
The first two years were taken at a college in Alberta, during which
time I received roughly $10,000 in student loans (50/50 between
Provincial and Federal). When I finished, I was notified by Edulinx
that I had to start re-paying the loans. I sent them confirmaiton of
enrollment at my new school (Royal Roads), and subsequently received a
reprieve on loan payments. This dates back to beginning of 2004.
All was fine and dandy until 6 months ago, while residing in BC, I
received a call from a collection agency stating that I was 10 months
overdue on loan payments for my Federal loans while attending school in
Alberta. The guy on the phone was very abrupt and clear to his point
that I could be sued for default and I had to pay back all $5000 of the
loan right away.
Personally, I do not take well to threats, so I kindly let him have it
and explained that I was in school and would not pay them until I was
done my final two years of my degree. I then attempted to contact the
National Student Loans Centre....to no avail. Because my account was
handed over to the collections agency (Total Recovery out of Edmonton)
I had to deal directly with them, and could no longer dispute the case
with the government.
Now, here I am today, 4 months away from finishing my degree, unable to
take out a loan for a Masters I intented on taking, going to finish
school and be thrown into reality with a terrible credit record, all
because the government failed to notify me; nor did they attempt to
resolve the issue. The collection agency stated that they had sent
notice for 10 months to my old address in Alberta, while I was residing
in BC (this is the error on my part...not giving a change of address)
I have since made monthly payments (while in school) and ensured that I
have kept on top of my payments; however, I have been told that this
will stay on my credit report for 7 years. Is this true? I am getting a
lot of contradicting information about one's credit history.
I am completely at my wit's end, and have the slightest clue as to how
I should proceed. I have sent several letters out asking for
assistance, one even being sent to my local MP in Calgary (lot of help
that did, I have yet to receive a reply and it has been 4 months).
Could someone please tell me how I could even attempt to rectify this
situation. I am at a loss!!!! Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.
Tired and frustrated,
Jordan G
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Mersan
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Joined: 27/May/2004
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Posted: 05/December/2005 at 1:06pm |
Are you saying that the loan reprieve that your received from Edulinx was not recognized? That seems to fit the time line you give. Do you have the document Edulinx sent reinstating you?
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BarryW2
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Joined: 19/May/2005
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Posted: 05/December/2005 at 4:26pm |
Was the notification from Edulinx in regards to your provincial or federal?
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SolveStudentDebt
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Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 5996
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Posted: 05/December/2005 at 4:33pm |
I would say it was Federal.
Pleae gogo, give us a few more details.
Did you submit the schedule 2, or did the student aid representative at the school you attended?
Contact the Executive Customer Relations department of Edulinx and state your case with them. If you would like help, let me know.
Johnny
www.cfwgroup.ca
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Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting. solvestudentdebt.com
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gogo
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Joined: 05/December/2005
Location: Canada
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Posted: 05/December/2005 at 4:37pm |
Hi Mersan & BarryW2,
I received notification via mail, however, it was sent to my old
address. I was reached at my permanent address 10 months after the
first payment was due. When I asked why it took so long for the
government to contact my permanent address, they explained that it was
out of their hands, and only the collection agency could deal with the
matter now. Needless to say, when I made inquiries through the
collection agency, I got no where.
My issue is that they made no attempts to contact me until it was far
too late. I don't think it is fair to have this tarnish my clean credit
report, and the sad thing is that I might have no way around this.
Thanks for replying!
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gogo
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Joined: 05/December/2005
Location: Canada
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Posted: 05/December/2005 at 4:42pm |
Johnny,
Thank you very much for the link. I have one more inquiry. My
understanding is that in order to rectify a "bad credit" on your
report, it has to be approved by the agency or financial institution
that first implemented the loan or credit.
Now, because my case has been handed over to the collection agency,
does this mean that I can no longer deal with the National Student
Loans Centre? I am just confused as to who I, or Trans Union or
Equifax, would deal with to get this fixed.
Sorry for being so uneducated on the subject.
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SolveStudentDebt
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Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
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Posted: 05/December/2005 at 4:45pm |
This is a VERY common occurence, gogo. I have many clients who have described the exact same scenario.
Did you give them your new address? If they had your new address when the notification went out, that is a very bad error on their part. This is where you would have a strong case with this.
However, if you had moved, and did not notify them of your new address, they would only have the previous address to work with.
So, if they knew where to find you by telephone and address, and sent your forms to the old address while knowing that you do not reside there any more, that is carelessness - and not acceptable.
Johnny
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Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting. solvestudentdebt.com
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gogo
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Joined: 05/December/2005
Location: Canada
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Posted: 05/December/2005 at 4:54pm |
Johnny,
They had my permanent address, cause they contacted that number and sent mail there 10 months after the first payment was due.
So, all along they had the right address, but kept sending to my old
address. Because of this, do I have a strong enough case to take it to
the Executive Customer Relations dept.?
All I am trying to figure out are my options, because I have tried
everything I can think of to get this fixed. The option I know I don't
have are to contact the guv in any way, shape or form. That, to me, is
the most frustrating thing, because I know the goal of the collection
agency is solely to collect the money, cause that is what they are
contracted out to do.
I am going to try and contact the Executive Customer Relaitons Dept.
tomorrow. I am just wondering...because it is no longer in the hands of
the guv, does that mean it is no longer in the hands of Edulinx, as
well? If that is the case, then will this dept. even be able to help? I
am sorry for all the questions....maybe this is something I should just
ask them and let you know how it goes.
Thank you soooo much for replying.....it's good to know that I am not in this alone.
Many thanks!
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