AES-PHEAA

2019-01-16

Fort Mohave, AZ

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Trouble with how payments are being handled
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-01-16

Tampa, FL

Incorrect information on your report

Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting

Account status incorrect
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-16

IL

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Trouble with how payments are being handled
Complaint: My student loans were transferred to aes in XX/XX/XXXX. I have had nothing but problems since then. In the original documentation received about the change in company I was informed that if my payment fell during a grace period of transition then it would be debited after such grace period. However I logged in to find my student loan was shown overdue and received a letter stating I needed to make a payment. I called to explain this as I am in the ibr program and have been for years and also use direct debit for years. They stood fast and insisted I make a payment so I authorized a one time payment to avoid credit reporting. Then a week later I check my account to find that they deducted a second payment on their own. Now fast forward to XXXX and it is time for my annual recertification of income. I follow the instructions including authorizing my spouses student loans through fafsa website. Next I received a letter dated XX/XX/XXXX that my loan had been recalculated. But they only factored my personal loans and not those of my spouse. Attached is a second letter with instructions to once again authorize them to calculate using my spouse 's information. I find this strange but follow the instructions and call Aes again XX/XX/XXXX to state this was complete and to have them recalculate the payment using this information. Weeks go by with no response until I receive a letter dated XX/XX/XXXX that still shows the original payment amount when only factoring my student loans. Also this letter stated that I made payments ahead ( my XX/XX/XXXX payment ) and therefore I should only be responsible for paying the difference on my next payment. But instead the letter states they are going to take my entire payment amount instead. So once again they are going to double bill me for one payment. I called again today XX/XX/XXXX to try and get an explanation. The company is giving me nothing but a run around. Saying they have a note of my wife 's documentation complete but did not recalculate. Therefore they now want to recalculate my payment again. But in the mean time they assert that the initial payment amount which is incorrectly figured will be deducted on XX/XX/XXXX. I have been in ibr for 10 years now. And I have never seen this level of incompetence or intentional misleading in order to capture larger payment amounts than what should be or extra payments without justification. Please intervene. I fear from searches online that this is commonplace and I am not at all the only one dealing with these issues.
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-01-16

Billerica, MA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Received bad information about your loan
Complaint: XXXX XXXX has had my account for more than a year for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program. As of today ( XX/XX/XXXX ), they still have not provided me with how many qualifying payments I have. I have made repeated requests, and they still will not provide me with an email or response via mail. I recently became unemployed and they provided me with incorrect information and advised me to put my loan into Employment Forebearance. My loan should have stayed in the IBR plan with a {$0.00} amount due so I would still get credit for a qualifying payment ( this information was provided on XX/XX/XXXX ). When I spoke with customer service on that date I was told I had either 48, 54 or 57 pending qualifying payments. After a year, they still don't have a set number. I then called back on XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX ( after hearing back from my local attorney general 's office I was told to keep the loan in the IBR and requested it ), XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. Each time in XXXX that I called I wrote down the employee 's name and ID ( they didn't want to give it to me ) and requested an email or letter stating what I requested. The employee told me they would send one but I have yet to receive anything. I have even spoken to supervisors with no recourse. At this point I have no choice but to put my loan into forebearance and lose out on qualifying payments. Their customer service is so confrontational that they make me physically and emotionally ill!
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-16

Saint Paul, MN

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Need information about your loan balance or loan terms
Complaint: I applied to qualify for PSLF in XX/XX/2016 and had my loans transferred over to XXXX XXXX from XXXX. Currently, they are only counting 5 of my payments towards my PSLF payoff, 4 of which are under review. I have made 15 payments under XXXX XXXX and made qualifying payments through my previous servicer, XXXX. My count should be in the 30s, not 5. I've asked several times over several months for a count of my qualified payments. I have not received an update, except several payments made through XXXX are under review.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-15

Detroit, MI

Getting a loan

Student loan: Private student loan

Fraudulent loan
Complaint: I have student loans on my report from a private lender that I did not authorize. The loans are not mine nor have I ever attended college. I have no knowledge of how this could have happened but I have been trying to address this matter for some time now.
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-01-15

Detroit, MI

Getting a loan

Student loan: Private student loan

Fraudulent loan
Complaint: I have student loans reporting on my credit that I did not sign for nor did I authorize anyone else to do so. I have never attended college so there would be no need for me to have utilized student loan services.The loan is not mine.
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-01-15

Lincoln Park, MI

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Can't get other flexible options for repaying your loan
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-15

Worcester, MA

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Problem lowering your monthly payments
Complaint: I am not certain how I ended up servicing my loan through XXXX XXXX XXXX however it has been a nightmare ever since. I consolidated my loans with XXXX XXXX XXXX a few years ago. My monthly required payment never made sense to me and how it was calculated. I called countless times over the years getting different representatives each time and the information provided was never consistent. I sought out repayment assistance many of times however there was never a resolution to my problem. As a full time working woman with countless other necessary living expenses I struggled to make the minimum required payment. Sometimes I would make two payments in one month of what I could which was better than nothing. Due to the fluctuation in my monthly payment and being advised I was on the lowest repayment plan my account apparently started to go in to a missed or late payment status. This later hit my credit report which was my first notification as I have worked extremely hard on my credit rating the past few years to be disturbed and find out it was all for nothing. My credit dropped over 100 points due to this. I attempted to appeal it with the US Dept. of Education however I was contacted by XXXX XXXX XXXX instead. I filled a formal complaint and was denied. Cited in the correspondence received from XXXX XXXX XXXX it was stated that they attempted to contact me by phone and mail however neither were ever received. I truly believe this is bad faith/ bad practice and I should not suffer these consequences due to their bad faith. I am now financially in an extremely difficult situation as I need to move and replace my vehicle and can not do either due to the hit on my credit report from XXXX XXXX XXXX. This has created a lot of issues for me financially. I do not feel that if I spent another 30 minutes on the phone going back and fourth with customer service that it would do any good as there are never changes to my account or monthly installment after help is sought.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-15

CO

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Private student loan

Can't get other flexible options for repaying your loan
Complaint: The balance on this loan doesn't seem to ever decrease as they continue to increase interest, fees, etc. I want this forgiven due to the debt already paid. I called and spoke to service provider AES who has nothing to do with making any arrangements and called national collegiate and was told they can't do anything. Please review, is there a promissory note, this is unfair that I can't get any answers or assistance. Originsl balance, {$29000.00} int 6.75 %
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-15

Louisville, CO

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Trouble with how payments are being handled
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-14

Rncho Domingz, CA

Incorrect information on your report

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Information belongs to someone else
Complaint: PHEAA is harassing me claiming I have a loan with them. Over the last 12 months I've corresponding back and forth with them to gain clarity on a loan they claim is in my name & social. After extensive research I learned this account was fraudulent & I filed an identity theft claim with identity theft.gov. I submitted the required report to PHEAA along with a notarized affidavit claiming fraud. PHEAA is still claiming I have any account with them & they're threatening to send me to collections ... I need this matter resolved ASAP & would like PHEAA to close their files which have any information with my name & social on it ...
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-14

Cleveland, OH

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Received bad information about your loan
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-14

Clearview, WA

Incorrect information on your report

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Account status incorrect
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-14

New Bedford, MA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Received bad information about your loan
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-14

Halyoke, MA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Federal student loan debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: I hereby file this complaint as the servicer of my student loans is once again destroying my overall credit rating without provocation. As you can see from the several postings on all of my credit reports, the problem is very simple to understand. XXXX XXXX XXXX has the worse history in dealing with the public. My payment history would show a perfect payment history, then suddenly in XXXX of XX/XX/XXXX they would report all four student loans as an immediate 90-days late, then 120-days late for two months, then back to paid on time. Then once again starting in XXXX of XX/XX/XXXX they would report all loans as 90-days late, all the way up to 180-days late, then a paid on time rating. Now starting in XXXX XX/XX/XXXX they once again report all loans as 90-days late up to 120-days late, then back to paid on time. At no time is there ever a 30-days late or 60-days late. XXXX XXXX XXXX is destroying my credit history, even though I make my payments on time every month. XXXX XXXX XXXX has a contractual agreement with all three credit bureaus. That agreement, called a subscriber agreement, is very clear that the credit reporting entity must abide by the rules and report properly. This is not the case in this matter. XXXX XXXX XXXX is not only destroying my credit, but at the same time they are violating my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This practice is nationwide where XXXX XXXX XXXX has no concern for the general public. I need this to come to an end, and I need the late payment history deleted completely. I have once again filed a hard copy complaint to XXXX XXXX XXXX, but I anticipate that they will do nothing to clear my payment history. I will follow through with complaints with the Office of Attorney General, XXXX of Massachusetts next. I need my payment history fixed immediately!!!
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-14

Springfield, VA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Need information about your loan balance or loan terms
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-14

Midlothian, VA

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Problem lowering your monthly payments
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-14

Cheverly, MD

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Received bad information about your loan
Complaint: In XXXX, I reached out to XXXX ( my loan was just switched from XXXX XXXX ) to inquire about loan forgiveness for Federal Government employees. XXXX explained that in order to certify my student loans my loans would have to be sent back to XXXX for servicing. XXXX contacted me and said they would need to review my employment record from XX/XX/XXXX and look and my payments and they will tell me the number of qualifying payments after their review. XXXX finally reached out and stated that I had " 0 '' qualifying payments. I was told that " I was not in an income-driven repayment plan. '' The agent helped me switch over to the pay-as-you-earn repayment plan and recommended that I consolidate my loans to help pay them down faster. In XX/XX/XXXX, I was informed that there was a reversal on the decision and now ALL repayment options for the loan forgiveness program and that I needed to resubmit my request -- and I did. After reaching out the XXXX after discovering the reversal decision, I was told I needed to resend the original denial letter and resubmit a new form. After submitting this information, XXXX stated that I only had " 10 qualifying payments '' because my loan was consolidated in last year. The only reason I consolidated my loan was because XXXX initially told me I had " 0 '' qualifying payments because I was in the wrong repayment plan so I switched it. XXXX should consider those original payments starting with XX/XX/XXXX to present because the only reason my loan was sent back to XXXX was so they could review my loan for federal loan forgiveness program. Now my account shows that I only have 11 qualifying payments. This is false/misleading information from the student loan servicing entity to trick people into consolidating loans to lower their payments, but they are doing this to disqualify payments for their " loan forgiveness program '' scam. The only reason I considered becoming a XXXX XXXX was because of this program. Now, XXXX claims I have to work and pay an additional 9 more years. These loans include both undergraduate educations starting back in XXXX to more recent graduate loans in XXXX. I have paid my fair share. I just want the Department of Education to follow through on their claims to borrowers.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-14

Halyoke, MA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Federal student loan debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: I hereby file this complaint as the servicer of my student loans is once again destroying my overall credit rating without provocation. As you can see from the several postings on all of my credit reports, the problem is very simple to understand. XXXX XXXX XXXX has the worse history in dealing with the public. My payment history would show a perfect payment history, then suddenly in XX/XX/XXXX, or XX/XX/XXXX they would report up to 11 student loans as an immediate 60-days late, then up to 120-days late for several months, then back to paid on time. All of these loans were deferred and were never in a payment mode. Then once again starting in XX/XX/XXXX they would report all loans as 60-days late, all the way up to 120-days late, then a paid on time rating. All of these loans were always deferred, and now I am consolidating what remains on student loan obligations so that I can finish up my XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX is destroying my credit history. XXXX XXXX XXXX has a contractual agreement with all three credit bureaus. That agreement, called a subscriber agreement, is very clear that the credit reporting entity must abide by the rules and report properly. This is not the case in this matter. XXXX XXXX XXXX is not only destroying my credit, but at the same time they are violating my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This practice is nationwide where XXXX XXXX XXXX has no concern for the general public. I need this to come to an end, and I need the late payment history deleted completely. I have once again filed a hard copy complaint to XXXX XXXX XXXX, but I anticipate that they will do nothing to clear my payment history. I will follow through with complaints with the Office of Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts next. I need my payment history fixed immediately!!!
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-14

Halyoke, MA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Federal student loan debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: I have been trying to consolidate my two student loans with the Department of Education, so that I can place the one student loan in deferment and attend college for an accelerated XXXX program with a local university in the field of XXXX XXXX. I have not had any luck getting the Department of Education to understand my long term plans. A XXXX degree will essentially double my income, and at the age of XXXX I believe that now is the time to move forward. Therefore, I would appreciate the proper direction to get the consolidation of both loans structured by the US Department of Education, and the federal agency can communicate with me by email to expedite the process.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-13

Northside, NC

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Received bad information about your loan
Complaint: I was wrongfully expelled from XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX for protecting my self from another student in the parking lot. Not only have I been receiving falsified information from my loan service company, I think the school is trying to commit financial aid fraud. They have a refund policy in their student handbook that states the school has 45 days to refund any monies due and I got receipt of my certified written request in XX/XX/XXXX. I have tried to contact the school about my request but was told that both financial administrators have resigned and no long work for the school. I received a letter form school official, Mrs. XXXX, on XX/XX/XXXX asking if I wold consider returning to school at least half time because my student loan may be affected due to my 60 day absence.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-13

Foothill Ranch, CA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Received bad information about your loan
Complaint: XX/XX/XXXX American Education Services misled me about my student loan, pitching me more deeply in debt, and raising false hopes about a lower monthly payment. Located in XXXX Pennsylvania, the company promised me a years forgiveness on my loan in XX/XX/XXXX, falsely claiming my monthly bill would drop to {$150.00} from {$270.00}. On XX/XX/XXXX AES completely reversed their position, stating that they had never offered me a lower payment plan and that my monthly bill would remain {$270.00}. The companys complete denial of their previous position is confusing and underhanded to say the least. Apparently student loans big business and a cash cow for lending companies. A senior citizen and XXXX survivor, I had approached the company in XX/XX/XXXX about options for reducing my student loan. At that time they did not offer me any alternatives other than a pay off. Complicating the issue is the fact that my credit card debt increased sharply in XXXX due to an extended hospital stay not covered by my provider XXXX XXXX. In XXXX I voluntarily increased my monthly payment from {$170.00} to {$270.00} in order to make greater progress in reducing my balance. On XX/XX/XXXX XXXX, from AES, ID number XXXX, stated that my loan was currently in payday status and that my regular monthly payment of {$270.00}, due on the XX/XX/XXXX, would not be due again until XX/XX/XXXX. XXXX explained that the break in payments was due to the fact that I had paid ahead on my loan. She said that my loan would not accrue interest throughout the year, adding that in XXXX XXXX my monthly payment would drop to {$150.00} because I had paid ahead. She did not state that my payment would again revert to {$270.00} in XX/XX/XXXX. If I had known this, I would have continued to make my usual payment of {$270.00} throughout XXXX, and I would not be writing this letter now. In XX/XX/XXXX my unpaid balance totaled {$25000.00}. As of XX/XX/XXXX my current unpaid balance is {$25000.00}. According to the XX/XX/XXXX statement I have paid {$23000.00}, with an original loan balance of {$37000.00}. In XX/XX/XXXX I made a payment of {$150.00} as discussed by XXXX in XXXX. In XXXX I was floored when I received a monthly bill for {$270.00}. In XX/XX/XXXX, I had called AES to confirm XXXX statement that my bill was not accruing interest. XXXX, ID number XXXX contradicted XXXX by saying that my loan was in fact accruing interest. On XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, ID number XXXX, also stated that my interest had been accruing regardless. I reviewed the reduced bill with both XXXX and XXXX. They did not inform me that the bill would again revert to {$270.00} in XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX, ID number XXXX, said that after thoroughly reviewing my account my monthly payment remains at {$270.00}. XXXX said she had no knowledge that my payment had dropped to {$150.00}. If AES had never stated in XX/XX/XXXX that my bill would drop to {$150.00} I would not be writing this letter. It would have been better if my loan had never been put on payday status in XXXX and I had continued to make my regular monthly payment of {$270.00} throughout XXXX. My loan balance would have dropped and I wouldnt have harbored false hopes about a lower payment and greater financial security. I am retired, a XXXX XXXX, live on a reduced income, and my health is questionable. AES deceptive business tactics have created financial havoc in my life. Interesting to note that the company never sent me anything in writing to corroborate XXXX statements about the reduced payments, other than the monthly statements showing a zero payment due. In XXXX I had applied for government financial aid in order to obtain a teaching credential from XXXX University in XXXX XXXX. In XXXX I again applied for financial aid to obtain a XXXX XXXX in XXXX from XXXX XXXX University in XXXX. I worked from XXXX to XXXX in XXXX XXXX schools, a low income area. In XXXX I applied for a student loan consolidation after being approached by sales people on the campus where I was employed. In XX/XX/XXXX my government loans were assumed by XXXX XXXX/XXXX XXXX. In XX/XX/XXXX the loan was assumed by AES without my consent. Unfortunately I do not currently qualify for a XXXX XXXX XXXX program through AES since I no longer XXXX full time for a XXXX XXXX XXXX. At this time I hope that AES makes good on its promise to lower my payment. Appalling that I have made steady payments on this loan for well over a decade, and I am now faced with mounting debt. In my lifetime I have paid off at least three cars in five years time without any issues. Its likely that my student loan will outlive me. This letter signals that change is sorely needed in the student loan industry. College students should be informed at the outset that loans absorbed from private lenders are pricey, dicey, and often do not qualify for forgiveness. I hope that legislation will be enacted so that future generations of college students do not have to deal with shady lenders in their retirement years. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX cc : XXXX XXXX, California Congresswoman District XXXX ; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-13

Detroit, MI

Getting a loan

Student loan: Private student loan

Fraudulent loan
Complaint: I have student loan accounts reporting on my credit that does not belong to me. I have never applied for this loan or any other credit lines on my behalf. I did not co-sign for anyone else to do so. This account does not belong to me.
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-01-13

Houston, AK

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Problem with customer service
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response