This website is a testimony to the problems Canadian Student Loan borrowers experienced from approximately 1996 to 2008 and until their loans were paid off.

The privatization of the Student Loans system by the Chretien and Martin Liberal governments broke the system and defaulted thousands of borrowers who were trying to pay their loans. There were even stories of suicide due to the harassment of borrowers.

Read the report that I prepared back in 2007 here. Canada Student Loans-The Need for Change Fortunately the new Conservative government at the time revamped the program and fixed the system for new borrowers, but borrowers under the previous program were left with ruined credit and continued harassment from debt collectors.

I call on the Canadian Government to apologize to the borrowers affected by this fiasco and make amends.

Unfortunately the Liberal government is again clobbering the Education system with their upcoming changes to International Student Visas. Yes, there's a problem, but instead of a well thought out plan, they have pulled the emergency brake on the train causing a derailment. This has introduced unprecedented instability for both private and public education institutions who serve both international and local students.

Universities can't plan. I've heard of courses being cut because the government has no process in place for universities to send the newly required acceptance letters to the government.

This means that students who have been accepted can not attend courses that start in the summer 2024 semester. With cut sections, current Canadian students will have trouble getting courses, and may have to switch to part-time which changes their enrollment status and might trigger repayment of their loans or ineligibility for funding. I've seen this before. It wreaks havoc on the student loan borrowers.

Again, the Liberal government has messed up the education environment. Will the new system needed in a rush for the acceptance letters be the new Arrivecan scandal?

I call on the government to implement a slower phased in approach and delay the requirement of the acceptance letters until a process is in place to submit these letters.


  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - OSAP overpayment
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login


Forum LockedOSAP overpayment

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
ayb446 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 19/April/2016
Points: 3
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ayb446 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: OSAP overpayment
    Posted: 19/April/2016 at 1:01pm
Hi there, 

I received a letter today saying that I was overpaid OSAP in 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2016. I have been a post-secondary student for 11 years and am currently completing a PhD (one year left). I have been informed that I owe $8,400 and am completely floored that I was not contacted earlier (ex. 2010?!). This is the first correspondence I have ever received on this matter.

Not paying back the amount would mean that I would be ineligible for funding in 2016-2017, and I believe that it would make me ineligible to win SSHRC or to continue receiving OGS. I really wasn't expecting this, and don't have the financial means to pay it. I don't have any family that could help pay either. I do have the option of using an existing line of credit to pay it off, but I'm not sure if there is a better option.

I did contact the NSLC but they were completely clueless as to how to best proceed, or whether this would impact my current or future government scholarships.

Any advice on how to move forward is appreciated.
Back to Top
Sponsored Links


Back to Top
SolveStudentDebt View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 5996
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/April/2016 at 6:14am
They are clueless about hot to proceed - and they just won the contract again for the Canada student loans program a week or so ago.  It smelled funny for the last decade and a half, and it still smells funny today. Oh media, why art thou comatose? 
Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting.

solvestudentdebt.com
Back to Top
SolveStudentDebt View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 5996
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/April/2016 at 6:15am
Contact the MTCU in Ontario and ask them. I doubt they will tell you anything other than to set up a payment plan and wait it out. 
Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting.

solvestudentdebt.com
Back to Top
administrator View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 25/January/2003
Points: 1798
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote administrator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/April/2016 at 6:58am
I think the line of credit may be the option.... make sure it's a student low interest loc...  the only way to look at it is that  it's a cost of getting your degree.   The cost of not paying it off and losing your funding is much higher. 

Talk to the financial aid office at your school and see if there are any opportunities for grants based on your financial situation and research work.

Administrator
Mark OMeara
Author of Let Go and Heal: Recovery from Emotional Pain
https://LaughSingWrite.com - http://bit.ly/heal2024
Back to Top
Royal-NCO View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 17/March/2010
Points: 244
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Royal-NCO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/April/2016 at 7:41am
Recalling my experience with the Payday loans and the class action suit against Cash Store, it occurred to me:  Has anybody every attempted a class action suit again the provincial/federal governments over the Student Loans?  I know that there are some borrowers who have willfully screwed the system, but I am almost certain that a majority of the defaults are administrative errors, or an intentional act of profit seeking - an observation noted by this forum's administrator in 2006 in regards to CIBC - a reality that I am sure also applied to Royal Bank with the issues I had with them.
Back to Top
administrator View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 25/January/2003
Points: 1798
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote administrator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/April/2016 at 9:07am
I presented the general situation to a couple of law firms but since our issues were not all the same it was going to be difficult under Canadian law to get a class action certified...

If anyone has a differing opinion and the time to work on this I'd welcome efforts and information...
Administrator
Mark OMeara
Author of Let Go and Heal: Recovery from Emotional Pain
https://LaughSingWrite.com - http://bit.ly/heal2024
Back to Top
ayb446 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 19/April/2016
Points: 3
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ayb446 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/April/2016 at 12:27pm
Thanks so much for all of the replies -- it is nice to feel some solidarity or empathy at the very least! I am not incredibly financially savvy, nor am I familiar with the legal boundaries of situations like these. I do gather that there is no statute of limitations on debts owed to the crown.

Luckily, my line of credit is a student line with an interest rate of prime+1. I can't imagine what I would do in a situation where I didn't already have this type of credit available.

My next steps will be to try to get evidence of exactly how and why I owe the money quoted, and seek answers as to why this is only being brought up now. I haven't had to deal with OSAP or NSLC directly in the past, so I'm not sure how fruitful these conversations will be. 
Back to Top
administrator View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 25/January/2003
Points: 1798
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote administrator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/April/2016 at 3:09pm
If it's any comfort, you aren't the only one dealing with this...

Article in The Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/04/01/students-caught-in-debt-trap-after-osap-overpayments.html
Administrator
Mark OMeara
Author of Let Go and Heal: Recovery from Emotional Pain
https://LaughSingWrite.com - http://bit.ly/heal2024
Back to Top
SolveStudentDebt View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 5996
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21/April/2016 at 4:41am
Evidence is what you need in order to hold them accountable.  Filing a complaint without anything to prove it will go unanswered and unattended. It is the way the system works.  What is most baffling is that complaints that have merit are continuously ignored by them in such an arrogant manner.  They do this because they know poor people do not have the financial resources to afford an attorney. Attorneys charge BIG money, and a lot of the times that big money paid is not returned with any real value other than personal opinions that are told to be professional. It is quite common in the law profession unfortunately. 

Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting.

solvestudentdebt.com
Back to Top
Royal-NCO View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 17/March/2010
Points: 244
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Royal-NCO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21/April/2016 at 7:29am
Originally posted by Johnny Johnny wrote:

Evidence is what you need in order to hold them accountable.  Filing a complaint without anything to prove it will go unanswered and unattended. It is the way the system works.  What is most baffling is that complaints that have merit are continuously ignored by them in such an arrogant manner.  They do this because they know poor people do not have the financial resources to afford an attorney. Attorneys charge BIG money, and a lot of the times that big money paid is not returned with any real value other than personal opinions that are told to be professional. It is quite common in the law profession unfortunately. 


You know Johnny, you've always said that you only support those students who have acted honourable in their handling of their loans.  i.e. those who have not intentionally screwed the system.

The reality is that the system is setup up to screw and profit from every student.  In some twisted way, those students who manage to screw the system, frankly deserve some applause.

... and don't even attempt to argue that the students who screw the system are the ones who make the system hard to crack.  I don't believe this for a second.  The system was very corrupt long before a few students managed to exploit it. 
Back to Top
Royal-NCO View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 17/March/2010
Points: 244
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Royal-NCO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21/April/2016 at 7:34am
In other words, I feel somewhat vindicated knowing that someone managed to stick it to the institution who stuck it to me!
Back to Top
administrator View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 25/January/2003
Points: 1798
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote administrator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22/April/2016 at 2:06pm
Johnny - I think you posted this under the wrong topic... this was about an osap overpayment. Regarding the issue of screwing the system... the bankruptcy laws needed to be changed because of number of people avoiding their loans... but a study showed it was mostly law students doing this... go figure...
yes the system is corrupt.  Money being made on the student loan system... read the book Debt Sentence by Tom Pawlick....

Now lets please return back to helping this person with their OSAP overpayment which is a common problem and needs to be fixed.

Administrator
Mark OMeara
Author of Let Go and Heal: Recovery from Emotional Pain
https://LaughSingWrite.com - http://bit.ly/heal2024
Back to Top
SolveStudentDebt View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 5996
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25/April/2016 at 9:26am
Many people are screwed by the system. The system is built to drive in revenue, bonus incentives, and huge profits for the private business that dominates this sector (DH Ltd)  - and to administer a government program. 

I don't help people screw the system.  People who intend on screwing the system that have benefited from their education socially, financially, and professionally, and have everything they need because of it, and refuse to pay it back,  are the ones I do not help.  I have been confronted by a number of people who came to me for help only to turn the tables and push me to help them  screw the system.  Those are the ones I refuse and walk away from.  There is a blog out there consisting of most of those creepy people I have had the misfortune of having to deal with. There is a small portion of that population who is of this disposition, of course. Everyone in life learns from experiences. The argument that those who have been caught by the system screwing the system has made it difficult for others to do so is a valid one. Yes indeed. It is because of this that they are aware of where the many loopholes (and gopher holes) are.  

There are a LOT of people who have been screwed by the system and are angry as hell, and want the system to be accountable. Unfortunately, some of them want revenge. The system has demonstrated itself as impervious to accountability, with impunity.  So, what choices do people have? You can fight the system like Braveheart did Long Shanks only to be martyred in the end, you can throw your hands up in the air, do nothing, then dig a hole and live like a gopher until one day you can poke your head up to see if it's ok to live normally again, or you can confront the issue and deal with it strategically and responsibly despite what wrong the system may have done to you. The greater benefit goes to the one who does the right thing. But what is right? This is the conundrum for many because they cannot see through the thick fog emanating from the broken system. Is it broken though? Apparently not if you know how much money the private organization in charge is raking in. It is broken for you - but that is what makes them the money. Mark is correct in that composite. 

everything we write and exchange here help people, Mark. It is not a "fight". It is awareness and the delivery of it that is my intention here. 







Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting.

solvestudentdebt.com
Back to Top
Royal-NCO View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 17/March/2010
Points: 244
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Royal-NCO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25/April/2016 at 7:32pm
Sorry, for my angry suggestion of acting out against the system, but I had just read this:

http://canadastudentdebt.ca/forum_posts.asp?TID=3225

I am only now starting to really understand what happened to my loans over a decade ago.

You know you talk about doing the responsible thing and working with the system, and that is all fine and dandy.  Unfortunately, when you're in the middle of it with the knowledge, or lack thereof, that I possessed at that time, you truly don't know how to work with the system.  This was the second time that I had been through the process of having to pull my loans out of default due to their errors.  The first time I was successful, returned to university, and received new loans - only to watch them screw it up and screw up my credit just as I was finishing my last year.  At the time, I sure as hell did not know what to do when several people of the line refused to acknowledge their error.  Little hard to pursue my intended career with a destroyed credit rating due to collections and bad trades.

Working with the system is a nice thing to say, but reality as a student in the middle of it is entirely different!
Back to Top
sacha88 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 27/June/2016
Points: 1
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sacha88 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27/June/2016 at 2:52pm
It is really not funny. I spoke to a co-worker of mine and he, too, was given a notice of overpayment. Something just doesn't seem right. As for myself, OSAP has gone back to 2014-15 year in addition to the extension of funds for that summer. I haven't received my form yet, but it looks to be around ~$8000. I graduated this year (THANK GOD!), but I was really hoping to take a post-grad certificate... and then... BOOM!! "PAAAYYY US-S-S-S..." Like zombies, they come out of nowhere and abolish all our hopes and dreams. Alas, it appears that I won't be able to pay it off in time and wonder whether I should just start looking for a full time job, rather than paying it off. Deeply appalled. 
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.07
Copyright ©2001-2024 Web Wiz Ltd.