I had this outfit calling me. American Education Loan Science? They are affiliated with the Art Institute and Sallie Mae. In truth I never called them back because I never recalled signing up for them or I thought it was a scammer from the Art Institute to get me to go back or what ever. I answered the phone yesterday and ended up talking to these people. They are a collection agency. In which I was a bit confused because I just talked to Sallie Mae last week and made arrangements directly with them because I am unemployed. I guess this 3rd party did not get the message. I looked them up and got a headache and came to the conclusion they are working with Sallie Mae and the Art Institute to collect debt or help or what ever.
What happen is that the person asked if they can call Sallie Mae and ask them if I made these arrangements and we will talk. OK fine because I did nothing wrong. The person from Sallie Mae. Joe I think was his name got on the phone. I asked how this Loan Science and Sallie Mae are affiliated with each other. He had no clue. hmmm. So I said Ok what can you do for me? The records did not show I talked to them about a forbarrence. Yep it figures. But this Loan Science could set up and unemployment forbearance for me so that I do not loose my other forbearance time just incase I needed it down the road. Sounds good to me so I said OK. So we will see what happens from here.
I will have to call back once I am back at work and work out a payment arrangement. I have decided that even the IBR was too much for me to handle right now. See if for at least a year I can make smaller payments. It all goes to interest anyways and not the principal. I'll be dead once this is paid off. Unless I stick to my guns and continue on my get out of debt plan that I am working on. In time we will see what happens. One thing at a time here.
What I do not understand is that if there is all these ways to help you with your student loans, get around the times that you are not working, lower your payments when are you and all that jazz. Why can't they just say pay 50.00- 100.00 a month on these loans until the end of time and in so many years it will be forgiven. Sorry you did not get your degree, or that job you was working hard to get but there is no jobs in your area or anywhere for that matter. But hey for all your hard work we will forgive the loans in 25 years if you make regular payments.
Really this situation is two sided. I decided to go back to school for something I always wanted to learn about. But I was not prepared not to graduate for one, have 60,000 in student loans that suddenly appeared. Truth be told it kind of happen that way for me. It did not sink in what was happening. What would've been helpful is the financial aid advisor would of said something at about 25,000 to warn me that I was 1/2 way though my money and would not have enough loan to finish school. I would then made some better decisions on my part at that time. But the classes are 5 1/2 weeks long and go by fast and before you know it 4 years have past and working a full time job, taking care of your family and school is part time yea things do not look at clear after a while. Boy do they look clear now. 10 classes and I would of been done. That would've been another 10,000 dollars I really really do not have. So here I am getting another education I did not ask for. Figuring out who is who and what is a debt collector and what they have to do with other ways to help me and what they have to do with the two thorns in my side called Pittsburgh Art Institute and Sallie Mae. More to come I am sure if I want to sort this all out at any time. Until then life goes on. Its summer and I"m cleaning out my house, got ebay up and going, and I am trying to decide what color to paint my kitchen and redo my cabinets and counter tops. All done as frugal as I can manage. But I can not see letting things around me go back because of this thing. Sure the money I'll put into my kitchen. Under 200.00 or even 100.00 depending on what I decide to do. Yes that money could go toward my debt. But really what good is it going to do me. I have to live my life still. I'm paying down my debt slowly. I have a plan in place. Life still goes on and I will not make things stop because of this. I just have to stick it in there somewhere and deal with it. Other wise this huge student loan debt will make me crazy and depressed. I can not do that to myself or my family.
I'm living with this. That is all I can do.
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