My experience with student debt dates back to 2005, when I graduated from university with nearly $35,000.00 in loans, and a job that paid me less than $30,000.00 a year. It was during that period (following the 6 month interest free period) that I began applying through the NSLC for interest relief, and experienced the worst run-around THREE times over the course of most of 2006. It was in October 2006 that I finally called the NSLC and learned that my loans has been sent off to collections, and that only 1 of the 3 interest relief applications I had sent actually made it to them, and the other 2 were either 'misplaced' or 'lost.' I guess it was up to me to call them every hour on the hour to see whether they had my forms? I suppose they get paid to sit there and do nothing...or so it seems.
Anyways, it was my word against theirs, and 2006 went by with a few calls and letters here and there, whereupon my loans were returned to Social Developoment Canada. In December 2006 I received a bill-like statement asking for $1,000.00 per month towards my loan(s). Scared for the fact that this a different department, and not knowing the whole structure and how the gov't works, I sent off a cheque which nearly consumed my entire 'net' income once my rent was paid.
It was at this point that I began to look around online, came across this site and subsequently visited CFW Group. I got in touch with John a short time thereafter, and my life has changed ever since.
John not only intervened on my behalf to protect me, stopping the calls and letters, but has since assisted me in negotiating a payment plan on my terms - based on what I can actually afford. I was overjoyed in fact that the first cheque since the whole ordeal last year was cashed today, so it seems they have accepted my terms.
All the while, John has a great sense of humor, constantly reminds me to relax, and gave me this useful information today:
"If I have taught you anything out of this whole ordeal, it should have been that this apparent 400 lb gorilla is nothing more than a thirty-pound monkey on your back that needs to be pacified."
Words well spoken from a truly amazing guy! You owe it to yourself to give John a call (or send him an email...he is extremly quick on the email reply) if you are experiencing any kind of trouble with student loans and need intervention.
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