GREAT LAKES
Consumer Complaints
There are over 1568 complaints on file for GREAT LAKES. Dated between 2019-12-12 and 2012-03-26.
Complaints Page 45
2017-01-26
Lewisville, TX
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Non-federal student loan
Received bad information about my loan
Complaint: LOAN WAS REPORTED LATE ; NEVER RECEIVED BILLING AS THE COMPANY HAD AN OLD ADDRESS ON FILE.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-25
El Paso, TX
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Don't agree with fees charged
Complaint: I had a small loan XX/XX/1993. It was about seven thousand dollars. I paid it off I thought as it was drafted from my check for years then just stopped so I thought it was paid then out of knowhere I had Great Lakes take a loan and now tell me it 's a consolidation loan and that I do n't qualify for loan forgiveness as I am a XXXX now they say I owe over fifty thousand dollars. This stinks of fraud
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-24
Murrieta, CA
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Having problems with customer service
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-24
Burlingame, CA
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Received bad information about my loan
Complaint: 1. Sold a consolidated loan but it was not disclosed that this would disqualify me from receiving teacher loan forgiveness programs.
2. Later, refused to 'receive ' my application for in-school deferment. I had to give up eventually.
3. Enrolled me in a low income repayment program without disclosing this would be taxable, and that it would capitalize.
4. When I began making standard payments on a standard repayment plan, I called to ensure my loans would not again capitalize ( as they had only months before ), I was assured they would not, and they were. So, the {$15000.00} or so I paid in 2016 resulted in a principal balance that was {$1000.00} more than I had had one year prior.
5. They robo called initially.
6. They NEVER respond to email. They do not record calls in California. The documentation they send is impossible to understand without a XXXX XXXX.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-22
Centerton, OH
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Received bad information about my loan
Complaint: In XXXX I requested to be put on the Income based repayment plan. I was ( and am still ) working but could not afford my bill. After some demanding they did put me on the IBR plan at Navient. Every year I have diligently renewed my application. In XXXX, I had lost my job and pretty quickly was hired by a non- profit. I called Navient and asked how this affected my IBR plan. They told me that I was still eligible and that my loan would only be for 10 years as long as I requested each year for my IBR renewal. In XXXX, I learned that ( on my own, not from Navient ) that it is a good idea to check with your loan company to be sure that you have Qualifying payments and loan forgiveness. I began then to send the forms for loan forgiveness. It was not until XX/XX/XXXX that I learned that my student loans were not eligible for forgiveness unless I consolidated them to a different loan company - XXXX. So in XX/XX/XXXX I began the process of consolidating to XX/XX/XXXX since I still work for a non- profit at very low wages and still can not afford my student loan payment. I feel however, that Navient did an injustice by not telling me that my student loans were not eligible sooner and not notifying me in anyway that I would need to consolidate with a different company. I lost seven years of qualifying payments for loan forgiveness and had to start all over again at 120 payments.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-22
Saint Paul, MN
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Don't agree with fees charged
Complaint: Because I still have debt remaining on my student loan, The Treasury Department is currently deducting money from my retirement SSA monthly payment. Last month, the amount they took out was about {$120.00}. My SSA monthly payment rose about {$20.00} more a month. Yet, the Treasury Department told me that they are now taking out {$170.00} a month. That is {$50.00} more a month than last year, yet my SSA payment in total only increased {$20.00} more a month than last year. What accounts for the large increase in the deducted amount? What is the formula? This is hard on me as I ca n't pay for my health insurance and my mortgage with my SSA payment now.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-22
Southern Pnes, NC
Can't repay my loan
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Can't get flexible payment options
Complaint: I previously applied for an income base loan and was denied. Due to denial It has caused me the inability to pay and its XXXX for me and my family. Even at the time, i was paying tuition for my child who was attending XXXX XXXX XXXX. Its very expensive with that alone & the difficulties of paying her tuition and living was extremely difficult. The hardship is unreal and i just asked my loan company for help and was denied. It seems so unfair to ask fir help and be denied.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-22
Tampa, FL
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Trouble with how payments are handled
Complaint: I have a consolidation loan serviced by Great Lakes. My repayment plan was a tiered approach with three different repayment amounts. Throughout the life of the loans ( repayment began in XX/XX/2004 ), I have instructed Great Lakes to apply any overages from the loans to principle of the loan ( both on coupons and subsequently in various electronic communications submitted to them ). It has been my practice to submit approximately {$100.00} extra a month above each required payment ( I eventually switched to automatic withdrawals with this instruction ). Whenever I have inquired on this point regarding paying above the loan amount with a live person, I have been told that their policy is to apply overages to interest outstanding first, then principle. Additionally, I have received statements indicating my loan is " paid ahead '' by nearly {$9000.00}, in derogation of what I have told them repeatedly in written, spoken and electronic media. I believe, based on the statements on the CFPB website, the actions of the lender are in violation of student loan regs.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-21
Portland, OR
Can't repay my loan
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Can't decrease my monthly payments
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-21
Fort Stewart, GA
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Need information about my balance/terms
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-21
Odell, OR
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Trouble with how payments are handled
Complaint: I 've been paying {$400.00} to great lakes higher education to assist my son, XXXX XXXX, in paying his student loan. I 've made XXXX $ 400 monthly payments since XXXX 2016 thru my XXXX XXXX XXXX online bill pay account. XXXX XXXX XXXX has sent the funs electronically to Great Lakes after we provided an account number. The XXXX payment was never credited to my sons account. After multiple inquiries, Great Lakes told my son that they ca n't credit XXXX payment because it was sent to wrong address - even tho the funds were sent electronically. Great lakes was selected from XXXX website list of payees - there is no address or Great Lakes account to select or that could be selected incorrectly. Furthermore, great lakes says it will take 30-45 days to return the money. I canceled the XXXX payment on XXXX XXXX XXXX website but it was paid anyway ( I have no documentation that I canceled it, but remember doing so ). XXXX XXXX XXXX has made feeble attempts at solving issue, even though it appears they paid wrong account. XXXX XXXX XXXX essentially made one phone call in which great lakes refused to speak with them without me. I was never contacted to be on that call, but I 'm not even the loan account holder. I would like immediate return of XXXX and XXXX {$400.00} payments - {$800.00} total. And I would like some action taken that prevents companies from Great Lakes and XXXX XXXX XXXX from this fraudulent activity - namely, Great Lakes for taking my money and holding onto it for an unreasonable ( and probably illegal ) amount of time ; and XXXX XXXX XXXX for not restoring funds to my account after they incorrectly paid a payee.
thank you XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-21
Quartzsite, AZ
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Trouble with how payments are handled
Complaint: I have an account from Great Lakes Higher Education on my XXXX credit report that shows in collections. When I call Great Lakes they tell me there is n record of any amount due and refer me to XXXX. When I call them they also do n't show that I owe any money. When I dispute this with XXXX they say information is correct. Complained with Ombudsman they say it is n't a private loan and told me to file a complaint with Consumer Finance. If I owe I am ready to pay. If account as been satisfied then would like the Great Lakes account updated to reflect paid in full.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
Bedford, TX
Can't repay my loan
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Can't get flexible payment options
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
Goose Creek, SC
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Need information about my balance/terms
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
Cheverly, MD
Can't repay my loan
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Can't decrease my monthly payments
Complaint: Have previously requested to lower monthly payments but have not successfully been able to do so. My monthly payments have only increased.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
Phoenix, AZ
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Trouble with how payments are handled
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
FL
Can't repay my loan
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Can't decrease my monthly payments
Complaint: Initially when I enrolled with XXXX ( changed name to XXXX XXXX XXXX ), I had hopes of getting job placement assistance along with being able to continue my education in a college. Since receiving my XXXX diploma, I have not been able to obtain a job in the XXXX industry and was never able to continue my education with a college without having to start over. I am now trying to attend college and the loan continues to appear and cause problems with financial aide. I 'm unable to pay the loan, it has been sold several times and I 'm unable to get my transcripts from the school now that they are closed. Also, with the school being closed now, it 's like I 've never attended any type of higher education. I 'm asking that this loan be forgiven in order for me to move forward.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
MI
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Trouble with how payments are handled
Complaint: I can not get a statement nor could I get a payment mailing address until after the first payment was due.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
Hornell, NY
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Trouble with how payments are handled
Complaint: I used the auto-pay system to pay my loans and the servicer promised a .5 % reduction in interest. In XXXX, I changed my repayment plan to fixed in an effort to reduce interest payments and increase premium payments. I set the payment amount above the required payment as well. Great Lakes did not make the XXXX payment despite confirmation. They then reduced the auto-pay amount. As a result, the XXXX and XXXX payments have gone to interest only. They are also charging me at a rate of 7.8 % interest despite my contracted rate of 6.75 % which should be 6.25 % due to the auto-pay arrangement. This is the second time that Great Lakes has readjusted the auto-pay amount despite my efforts to set payments on line, by phone and by email. I feel their effort is to increase payments to interest and refuse to credit to premium.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
Uniontown, OH
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Trouble with how payments are handled
Complaint: I XXXX from college with a XXXX in XXXX XXXX. I then went to XXXX. When I was accepted into XXXX I was also trying to get financial aid to help pay for the XXXX. They accepted y request for aid under the circumstance that i paid off my Perkins loan. They would NOT release my money for the XXXX until it was paid, I then paid the load in full, they released my money almost when I was about to XXXX the XXXX.
Two years later I received a notice from the attorney general saying that my Perkins loan was never paid. I called the school and they said that it was paid and then re opened for some reason. I have been dealing with this for YEARS now and every year they take money from my income tax. I have been fighting this for quite some time now and my credit is hurting because it shows on there that i have a default loan in the Attorney Generals office.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
Hampton, VA
Can't repay my loan
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Can't decrease my monthly payments
Complaint: I have XXXX in loans and the repayment plans maximize your interest. I am on a payment plan and I am getting no where with them. Each time I set up a payment plan, it maximizes the interest and nothing gets paid on the principal balance. While this is happening, I am still occurring Intrest even though I am paying on it every month. It 's hard to pay something off when you keep occurring charges.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
Bolling Afb, DC
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Don't agree with fees charged
Complaint: Did not apply payments and overpay amount in excess {$65000.00} Pay more than had to Hurt credit from XXXX to XXXX Mis reported to credit reporting agencies Imposed repayment burden Reflected bad information Processed paymentincorrectly and failed to act on various complaints They were put on notice to disputed amount base on qualifying academic achievements and 100 % relief scholarship eeligibility
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
TX
Dealing with my lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Received bad information about my loan
Complaint: XXXX Issues with different schools.
1. XXXX University did not apply unused funds to loans. I 've submitted forebarance forms and request for discharge because my son ( I 'm a single parent ) is permantly XXXX, he has XXXX. I did not qualify for government assistance then nor now, so my income has been limited. Despite obtaining a XXXX in XXXX, I was told by many employers that XXXX was not a recognized university, they were unable to verify my attendace at the school. I 've made payments despite this, not always on time due to ongoing medical issues. I 've had to stop due to XXXX and XXXX for my son.
2. University XXXX XXXX enrolled me in a course/program that had nothing to do with finance, it was XXXX program. I requested XXXX XXXX, I tried to withdraw several times but was unable to. I spent XXXX years obtaining a degree in a program I have no experience or knowledge about. I do n't have any paperwork from them where I acknowledge my acceptance of the program.
3. I received a letter from Great Lakes of XXXX XXXX stating that " debtor is hereby cancelled and released. From and after the date of this release, the employer is no longer required to withhold income from debtor 's pay. '' Release date was XX/XX/XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX Great Lakes sent another request to garnish my wages. Said they never sent above release, when I called on XX/XX/XXXX. When I called again on XX/XX/XXXX I was told a different story in that the release letter is actually a confirmation of an address change '' I had my HR department call, and she was told the same excuse. Great Lakes has sent all correspondence to my employer despite me giving them a correct address.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
Detroit, MI
Can't repay my loan
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Can't get flexible payment options
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation
2017-01-20
VA
Can't repay my loan
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Can't decrease my monthly payments
Complaint: While paying my student loans, I was directed to pay at least {$500.00} per month and I was XXXX receiving Social Security XXXX at a rate of XXXX per month. Year 2009. After paying thousands of dollars, my loans were dismissed due XXXX.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation