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.


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Forum LockedMaking payments to CRA, getting harassed by TCR

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    Posted: 06/March/2013 at 12:26pm
I`ve been regularly making payments on my student loan to CRA after being served.
Recently I started receiving calls from Total Credit Recovery.  I don`t pick up calls from 1-800 or blocked numbers, so I get a lot of messages from them.  It`s an automated message, they never ask for me by name, just say that it`s urgent that I call back and resolve this time sensitive unresolved matter, and that they have a great opportunity for me to close my file with them.  They never state the file number.  These people call me every day starting at 7:45 in the morning.  I`ve tried calling back but always get voice mail
I`ve dealt with them  a long long time ago, and I think even made some payments to them.
Why would they be calling me now that I`m paying back to the CRA?  Should I send them a registered letter asking them to stop calling and send me some papers showing me what and to whom I owe?
I don`t want to deal with them over the phone, and don`t want to give them any personal info such as where I work, bank info etc
.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/March/2013 at 12:24am
Whatever TCR is calling you about has nothing to do with CRA. To me, this sounds like you took out student loans in Ontario, and TCR is pursuing you for the Ontario government.
Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Orange Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/March/2013 at 5:26am
Originally posted by Johnny Johnny wrote:

Whatever TCR is calling you about has nothing to do with CRA. To me, this sounds like you took out student loans in Ontario, and TCR is pursuing you for the Ontario government.


Even though I`m paying the loan off monthly?
Should I send them the registered letter still
?  Or will that somehow bite me in the a$$?

Thank you for getting back to me.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote administrator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/March/2013 at 6:20am
Remember that there is a provincial and federal loan. CRA is probably collecting the provincial, TCR is going for the federal - taken out with a  bank.

When did you take out the loans?  Which province?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Orange Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/March/2013 at 6:40am
Originally posted by administrator administrator wrote:

Remember that there is a provincial and federal loan. CRA is probably collecting the provincial, TCR is going for the federal - taken out with a  bank.

When did you take out the loans?  Which province?


Ontario, in 2001.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote administrator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/March/2013 at 7:45am
The bad news is that you have two loans. CRA is collecting the provincial, TCR is trying to collect the federal. The good news is the Federal might be statute barred.  Have you made any payments on it or written anything to them in the last six years? Do not send them a letter.... if you acknowledge the debt then you lose your statute barred status. 

Read up on this on our Stats Barred forum
http://www.canadastudentdebt.ca/forum_topics.asp?FID=90&SID=8738209396c334e11a51f432ff9ab5311111111&title=collection-of-old-stats-barred-loans
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Orange Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/March/2013 at 9:12am
I`m pretty sure that I spoke with them on the phone a couple of years ago, and I think I maybe even sent them around 150$.  I remember someone from TCR yelling and insulting me.  Hence me not wanting to talk to anyone from there on the phone .  I haven`t received any letters from them or anything lately though.
If I could, I would pay them off.  Right now I can`t come up with a lump sum, and monthly payments at the amount that I can afford would probably barely even make a dent in the interest.  Feel like  such a deadbeat, but sh*t happens.  I certainly didn`t plan for it to happen this way.
From what I remember it would probably be around 6000$, but who knows how much it is now with the interest...
I`m wondering how come they didn`t send me anything on paper.  They should have my address, it`s same as before.
  Every time the phone rings I just ignore it.  I`m just scared that I`ll get served one day, lose the case, and then have to pay for their court fees as well or something.
Thank you for the links I`ll read through them.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Orange Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03/June/2014 at 2:29pm
Update and a question.
I found out  today from NSL that the loan that went to TCR is the provincial part.  They gave me a number to call OSAP to find out the amount that I owe.  So my question is-
Is it possible to somehow get the loan back to OSAP and pay them?

First couple of times I called NSL they brushed me off and told me they have no records of where the other part of my loan went, if there was another part, or how much it would be for. 
  Recently I got two messages from TCR that were not recorded, and they asked for me by name. I wonder if that means that they're looking at my case closer than before. 
Today I was lucky and got to talk to an agent at NSL that actually explained stuff to me, and told me that I can get my CRA loan back with them and that it would be better for me.  She also told me to consult with someone before calling OSAP because their tactics are not always....  Then she just trailed off.  Anyone can suggest what my next step should be?  Call back TCR, or talk to someone from OSAP first?

Thank you


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote administrator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03/June/2014 at 3:19pm
get informed first before calling TCR. Thee is something called Loan Rehabilitation.   I believe the criteria is that you must pay off the outstanding interest and you make six consecutive payments your loan should come out of collections.  Of course, TCR would not want to tell you this, because then they would lose the file and their commission.
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Thank you for replying.

Would that work for the provincial part as well (that's the one that's with collections)? 

I know the part that I have with the CRA is eligible for that.  I didn't know about that until today.  I've been paying them monthly for over a year, so hopefully got the interest part covered.

I'll be calling OSAP tomorrow, and will post here what they tell me.  Maybe it will help someone else.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote administrator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03/June/2014 at 7:10pm
I'm not sure about the provincial part, but you can be assured that TCR will look after their own interests!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Orange Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04/June/2014 at 6:06am
So I called OSAP, and they said that there is no way to get the loan back with them, and that I have to deal with TCR.
 If they demand a full payment from me (which they most likely will), and I can't pay it, I should ask for a financial questionnaire and they will decide what I should be paying based off that.
  In my current financial situation I can probably only do 50$ a month, if that.  OSAP could not tell me the amount that I owe because TCR has my file.  I'm so screwed.  So not looking forward to dealing with TCR and them screaming at me.  So far I got nothing in the mail from them, so I'm thinking they don't know my address.  Now that I talked to OSAP and gave them my SIN, I wonder if my file came up somewhere, and they will go after me with even more force.  Weird that OSAP couldn't give me the amount that I owe.  By my calculations it can be anywhere from 6 to 8 grand if not more (interest)
Unless I win the lottery, there is no way I can pay anything but small amounts.  I doubt that they will accept that though.
Any tips on how to deal with TCR the first time that I call them?  I'm so nervous.  No idea how to deal with them.  They can sue me, right?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04/June/2014 at 10:25am
Orange, how much do you owe OSAP?  If you are in hardship, not getting a benefit from the education (financial and professional) then there are ways to appeal to the system.  We do this professionally of course, but I can't say what kind of benefit you would be in line for until I know your circumstances and position. 

The Ontario government's collection group and MTCU is open minded. As for the harsh treatments by agencies That is just a part of business.  Governments are forced to use private agencies because of cost and staff issues. TCR is in it for commission and yes they can certainly impose their will and try to make things difficult for you.

Before getting into something that is going to further stress you out and potentially put you at further risk why don't we see what the actual risks and benefits are for you? If there is a benefit for you to be found we will find it - and if you want to work towards gaining it. it's what we do.  This way you save time, money, and stress.

You decide and let me know.  


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

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Orange Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07/June/2014 at 8:25pm
Hi Johnny,
Sorry, didn't see that you replied to me earlier.
Right now I have about 4500 to pay off to the CRA and the other part of the loan by my calculations is somewhere between 6 to 8 thousand(maybe more with interest?).  I am experiencing hardship at the moment.  Past couple of years the amount of work in my field went down, and looks like this year will be just as bad.  Add a parent that can't work due to health reasons, and you get the picture.
I tried to send you a message, but it's not letting me.
Would like to find out your rates and other details.  Thank you so much for writing back to me.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/June/2014 at 4:02am
Do you want to appeal for compromise and settle out for a small lump sum on both?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Orange Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14/June/2014 at 9:01am
Not sure what is better.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote badhairdaylady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14/June/2014 at 2:11pm
I've had similar, getting incessant calls from TCR and it is for my provincial portion of my student loans, my federal portion is in the hands of HRSDC.  I live in Ontario.  It got to the point where they were calling me about 6 times a day, threatening, telling me to borrow the money to pay them off, not to buy groceries and get my phone/internet cut off so that I can pay them.  

I ended up sending them a Cease & Desist fax basically stating that they are not to contact me by phone and that if they wish to contact me, to send a letter snail mail.  The agents from TCR are rude, condescending, they threaten, very poor business and people etiquette.  

I'd often get an automated message from their office and when I'd try to phone back the number on the phone, I'd get a voice mail.  Phoned TCR one day and asked to speak to a manager, they gave me over to a Mickey Singh who is probably the most unreasonable of them all! 
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HRSDC is handling my federal portion and when I spoke to them about TCR, they said that the federal portion is handled by them and that they do not contract out outside collection agencies to collect federal portions of the student loans.  The Ontario government however do contract that out to collection agencies to collect on provincial portion.  

Someone mentioned before that they found it strange that HRSDC is handling collection of my federal portion, but I get an account statement from them every month with my forever accruing interest at $135/month with an ever increasing amount owing!  Every time I've had communications with anyone about federal portion, it has been HRSDC.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15/June/2014 at 5:36am
Orange,

Appealing for compromise is a good approach if your hardship does not warrant removal from recovery.  To determine cost benefit and strength of case I would have to sit down and talk with you about it to make that determination. 

What warrants removal from recovery? There are several factors. If you have medical issues that inhibit you from securing gainful employment, or employment at all, then it would be best to appeal for removal. Or, if you are in financial hardship that has been ongoing for a number of years, and a lack of opportunity and future ability to remedy the problem can be clearly demonstrated to their approval.  In my experience the Ontario government groups we work with are very sympathetic and willing to help you if the work and presentation is to their standards.  The workers at the lower level (the third-party collection agencies, private legal agents and lawyers, and others like the student loan service center) present enormous obstacles for people because it is not in their best interest to allow you to get there.  It either doesn't make them any money to work with you - or it costs them too much money to work with you. 

Appeal for compromise of course is the next best benefit.  Either way you save money for the right reasons.  The reason why the front lines of the system are so difficult to talk to or reason with is because there are a lot of  people who want nothing more than to screw the system.  You know they are out there, they do, and I certainly do. There are blog pages out there by people who I have given the boot to, or have attempted to bully me and other people employed here to help them achieve dishonest results. 

If you are gainfully employed or in a desired profession that applies to the education you received, are able to contribute without experiencing hardship, and are benefiting economically, you won't qualify for either.  Now, if circumstances go from good to bad, then from bad to worse, then from worse to tragic, and then from tragic to unbearable, then you have the potential for a case.   
Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting.

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