NELNET, INC.
Consumer Complaints
There are over 3518 complaints on file for NELNET, INC.. Dated between 2019-12-10 and 2012-03-07.
Complaints Page 7
2019-10-02
MI
Dealing with your lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Received bad information about your loan
Complaint: I qualified for a full discharge of my Nelnet student loans in XXXX. In XXXX of XXXX, Nelnet discharged my loans in full and also notified the IRS. In XXXX I received the IRS 1099c from the IRS showing my loans were discharged in full and was charged as in income on my taxes ... fast forward to XXXX, Nelnet decided to reverse the discharge and put the loans on my credit report. I contacted an attorney for a free consultation and he laughed saying Nelnet is committing fraud, and an IRS DISCHARGE is proof the loans were discharged. The attorney gave me instructions to contact you first before a lawsuit is filed to see if you can settle this issue.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-10-02
NM
Dealing with your lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Received bad information about your loan
Complaint: I received federal loans while attending XXXX school from XXXX - XXXX. The original loan amounts from XX/XX/XXXX are {$16000.00} and {$12000.00} with a 4.125 % interest rate. I have been paying the minimum or more amount due ( excluding maybe 4 months throughout the loan history ) for 16 years. Currently the amount due shows {$27000.00} and {$37000.00} - not sure how both loans more than doubled after paying for 16 years.
In aprox. XXXX I contacted the servicer XXXX and asked to reduce interest rate or negotiate a full payoff. I was told they do not negotiate or consider a work out while the loan is current and suggested I default. I defaulted and called again to negotiate. I was then told that my account was sent to a collection agency and I had to deal with the collection agency. I received 1 demand letter from the collection agency. The demand letter stated the attorney 's fees added {$16000.00} to my account. Note, only 1 month - 6 weeks passed since my default. No complaint was filed, no litigation. So the default letter fee was {$16000.00}. I was very upset and called the collection agency. They advised they would waive the {$16000.00} fee if I brought the account current. I immediately cured the default and followed up with the servicer to ensure my account was back on track.
XXXX advised that my account was service transferred and they couldn't help me. In fact, I believe the federal loans from XXXX were consolidated in to 1 loan. XXXX advised I had to work with the new servicer. The account was transferred 1 - 2 more times and I have asked every server for a full accounting from inception to current to ensure the {$16000.00} was removed and ensure all payments have been accurately accounted and to confirm there was only now 1 loan, not two. I have NEVER received a full pay history. I also suspect there may be a duplicate account that should be removed. Currently, I have asked Nelnet for over 3 years for a full account history - and have yet to receive it. I was advised that if I did not challenge the amount due with the prior servicers then they assume the amount is correct and they do not review the account when transfered. I advised that I have, in fact, challenged the amounts due with every servicer. In response I am advised that they are " looking into it ''. Instead of receiving a full history I have received other borrowers ( not mine ) account history 3 times - twice via US mail and once via email. I have received only my last 3 years payment history with Nelnet and I have been told that since my account has been transferred so many times they do not have my prior history and can not confirm the {$16000.00} was removed nor whether there is an accidental duplicate account. The last request was in XX/XX/XXXX and I have followed up with calls and emails several times in XXXX, XXXX and XXXX with no full history.
I was recently told by Nelnet rep that the {$16000.00} may still be on my account and I would have to prove via a settlement agreement that it should have been removed. I advised that when I received the letter and called the collection agency they said they would not send a settlement or anything in writing but that once the account was current the fees would automatically be removed.
I was told that per my loan agreement the lender is entitled to seek attorney 's fees to collect. I respond, that likely this is true but the legal fees would have to be reasonable. {$16000.00} for a signal demand letter is not reasonable. {$25.00} - {$100.00} is more reasonable. I was told " we're looking into it ... '' I still do not have a full payment history for my 2 federal loans.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-10-01
Val Verde, TX
Struggling to repay your loan
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Problem lowering your monthly payments
Complaint: Each time I applied for XXXX and XXXX XXXX my loan was sold to another company and I'd have to start over, since it was a new lien holder. Each time it was sold my balance was increased by many thousands of dollars. That's not including interest. Then, when I finally do get to be reviewed for XXXX ... I'm rejected. I learned that out of over 5000 individuals who applied, around 200 were approved during the time I applied. That's not very much!
I also learned that a woman in XXXX recently sued, having been XXXX, ( as myself ) by the SS Department, and she won - despite Public Law 104-134.
I'm so XXXX that there are times I can't even move or ambulate at all. I'm bedridden for hours out of the day. Other days I'm a bit better and can get out of the bedroom. I'm XXXX and there's no doubt about it. A XXXX XXXX Doctor through the SS Administration ruled in my favor in a XXXX Federal Court that I'm XXXX. So what's the problem here!? Why am I being denied XXXX and XXXX XXXX dismissal of my student loans.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-10-01
CT
Dealing with your lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Don't agree with the fees charged
Complaint: I was attending the school for almost a year and never finished my education was making payments upon the loan as agreed but the school had been closed down due to fraudulent charges against students and i felt as though I shouldn't have to pay anymore money into a school I did not finish and closed down due to fraud I've tried to settle these accounts but the settlements that they want I think is unreasonable and I refuse to pay them. As this has gone on for almost 10 years, it has taken a toll on my credit score and don't damage that I need reversed. I believe that the amounts should be forgiven and i shouldn't have to pay another cent to these people.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-10-01
Tampa, FL
Incorrect information on your report
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Old information reappears or never goes away
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-10-01
Las Vegas, NV
Attempts to collect debt not owed
Debt collection: Federal student loan debt
Debt was result of identity theft
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-10-01
Hghlnds Ranch, 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
2019-09-30
Arvada, CO
Struggling to repay your loan
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Can't temporarily delay making payments
Complaint: At the Time I was a student my XXXX was XXXX XX/XX/2013 I was a single mom and had to plan a funeral and was no way able to focus on studies while having to deal with raising broken XXXX that felt Like my XXXX was a father figure I also went into a deep XXXX
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-30
Magnolia, TX
Dealing with your lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Trouble with how payments are being handled
Complaint: I have had outstanding student loans for over 20 years. I have been making payments on them every month. Lately I began paying {$1200.00} per month in order to get rid of them. I started looking at the principal and interest on the loans. Nelnet is charge me {$50.00} more per month in interest now even though the rates on both loans are fixed. I do not see any way that the interest can increase after 20 years when my payments are over 4X the required amount. I've asked for an amortization schedule. The loan balance isn't high enough for an additional day to cause that much cost. They are not calculating my payments right and they haven't been for months. If my interest was {$100.00} per month before the large payments, it should not change. It can't be {$150.00} now. I have tried several times to get this remedied and I don't believe any of them even understand what's going on.
I am sure this is inaccurate at best ... could be worse.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-30
Los Angeles, CA
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
2019-09-30
Allenwood, NJ
Dealing with your lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Received bad information about your loan
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-29
Ft Lauderdale, FL
Struggling to repay your loan
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Problem lowering your monthly payments
Complaint: I am requesting that the late payments get removed from my account from XX/XX/XXXX-XX/XX/XXXX. I have struggled with financial instability for over a year which has caused me to struggle financially to afford basic needs such as food and shelter. Within that time frame I lost my job and have a death in my immediate family. That caused me to be homeless within that timeframe as well. I have XXXX children with no support and I am trying to get my finances under control. Im currently in the income driven plan for my loans however I struggle to pay that payment. Moving forward I will assure that on time monthly payments are a prior if I can get my payments a little lower that I can afford. If not I will make an on time payment for what I can afford.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-28
Denver, CO
Dealing with your lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Received bad information about your loan
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-28
Akron, OH
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
2019-09-27
Dealing with your lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Don't agree with the fees charged
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-27
San Jose, CA
Attempts to collect debt not owed
Debt collection: Federal student loan debt
Debt was result of identity theft
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-27
Key Biscayne, FL
Dealing with your lender or servicer
Student loan: Private student loan
Received bad information about your loan
Complaint: I signed up for a Loan with Nelnet. The terms were as follows. Total amount XXXX with four payments of approx. XXXX. They charged the first payment amount correctly, in XX/XX/2019 But then increased the amount due to a school error. They charged me XXXX and refuse to refund it. Even though the school has corrected their records. When I call them they say there is nothing they can do. Agreement Number XXXX
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-26
NH
Incorrect information on your report
Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting
Account information incorrect
Complaint: During XXXX of XXXX, I received multiple pages of statements from Nelnet regarding varying loans ( approximately 8, in varying codes, amounts, interest rates, etc. ) that I never signed for nor authorized in any way. In fact, when receiving a vague summary of my alleged financial aid package, which included mostly scholarships of which I did not have to pay back, the small amount left was made clear to be a federal student loan. When I asked the school financial aid personnel to explain the name of the company, interest rates, literally anything, as this was not made clear nor was ever listed on my student account through the school, I was told repeatedly, and with varying size fonts and colors to check my student account again. This information was unavailable, and eventually, I was deferred through the administration of XXXX College of XXXX, and was scheduled to meet with the President of the school. When I met with him, he plainly just stated, " Oh, well, we have no idea how any of that stuff works. '' I would have lost my scholarships ( which covered, what I had in writing at the time, the majority of my tuition ), and so I decided after working for years to go back to school, that it may not be different than when I had gone to this school in XXXX, and that a single loan would be taken out for the amount, if anything doubling my payment amount later.
This XX/XX/XXXX, I received those several pages explaining no details of these loans other than the XXXX 's each I apparently owed as of 3 months prior. This was my first notice, and after having been denied a personal loan, that would cover my expenses to travel back to XXXX to continue my study, and work with XXXX and the sister school there, the XXXX College of XXXX XXXX XXXX, I was denied only due to the amount of open accounts in my name. With these letters, I now had the high number of loans taken out in my name, without my knowledge, authorization, signature, any information on, two years after I had graduated.
I contacted the creditor, Nelnet, to ask for an explanation and what I could do to file a claim against all of this that same day, and after 3 hours, I was deferred to the government, FAFSA website, to submit a claim of fraud against the school/companies involved, whoever was responsible.
As of today, I have my approval from the government of XXXX to return for an unprecedented trip for a westerner to be the first welcomed and assisted into a 2 year program, in which I will continue my studies of XXXX language and arts, and be able to aid in the creation of an extended study abroad program for future students, both from XXXX College of XXXX and the XXXX College of XXXX XXXX XXXX ( sister schools ) for longer than the established single month trip which I did just after graduating in XXXX. I made the right impression, and helped with XXXX and fellow US peers, and was given this opportunity to return, due to my demeanor and work ethic, and general enthusiasm for XXXX language, culture, art, etc. I received my entry permit, COE ( certificate of eligibility ), and even a partial scholarship to begin this endeavor, and I can't get a personal loan to fund my travel and living expenses for it due to the 8 loans taken out in my name that are absolutely not authorized by me, nor ever were.
Today, I contacted Nelnet again, to verify the status of my claim, after seeing no changes to these loans on my account other than ( after submitting the application on the FAFSA website regarding fraud ) they had gone into " admin deferment '' until XXXX. I was told that they don't deal with that directly, that the department of educaiton does. When I called the department of education, they said they don't either, that I would have to file the form with the provider ( Nelnet ). So I called back and asked about the false certification discharge form, to which they said nothing further could be done about, and it is simply " In cue '' for review.
This is destroying all of my hard work, essentially on my own, figuring out how to learn XXXX with my own funds, sacrificing a year to get needed XXXX, continuing efforts even in physical therapy, and completing form after form with my point of contact ( the only official help I've received, whom only understands so much English, mind you ) to be stopped now by something I never did, to be continuously told false information and deferred to other phone numbers/companies that have nothing to do with my issue/call, to be told by my own bank that I have good credit, and am obviously responsible, but because of the amount of student loans I have ( which more than doubled in number because of this fraud, misinformation and extortion on the school and 'federal ' level, somehow, as no one can plainly explain anything to me no matter what efforts I exhaust ), I can not get the several thousand I need to cover my trip, which would make history for the schools, and countries in general, no less.
I was told by Nelnet I just have to wait. But I will miss my deadlines and have to wait until the following semester, in which case, I have to provide all new copies of forms, documents, etc. and wait for their new copies in return. It has already taken me over 2 years to get to this point. And no one is doing anything as my life and dream and potential are decimated.
Please expedite the complete erasure of these loans from XXXX in my name, from my credit report, the crimes both the government and the school has committed against me, before it is too late. After all I have gone through, to have such a crime committed against me by my own government and school that lead me ( ironically ) to this path to XXXX and what I can accomplish with my colleagues and friends there, it makes me sick. Is there not a single person who can make this right?
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-25
Rochester, MN
Dealing with your lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Trouble with how payments are being handled
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-24
Brooklyn, NY
Dealing with your lender or servicer
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Problem with customer service
Complaint: I am guaranteed tuition by the v.a but was instructed to take out loans because the va pays after the drop date. I now am stuck with over 100k in loans despite both schools knowing that my tuition was guaranteed and still being instructed by admin to take out loans so I would not be dropped from the roster. now I am unable to get the servicers to put me on an income based repayment plan ; they keep putting me in forbearance despite my repeated request for an income based plan. I am XXXX XXXX XXXX on veterans XXXX. I am a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and unable to understand how this predatory practice was able to go unnoticed by either institution. I am not able to move my family forward due to the overwhelming total that is my student loan.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-24
Discovery Bay, CA
Incorrect information on your report
Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting
Account status incorrect
Complaint: While I was studying abroad in XXXX ( about a month after graduating ), Nelnet stated that I made a late payment. The entire time I was in XXXX, which was for over 1 year I never received any information regarding the loan nor payments. I was unable to see any mail sent to my house as I was abroad. Before I left for XXXX, there was no communication between Nelnet and myself. I never received any form of communication from them telling me I was going to have to pay soon. I also have loans with XXXX XXXX, a private lender, and was paying on those while in XXXX. Had I known about Nelnet loans, I obviously would have paid them in a timely manner. I have provided proof of my time in XXXX and they have consistently denied my requests to fix my credit report or even negotiate with me. Upon returning to the US in XX/XX/2017, I checked my mail and saw the letters from Nelnet. I immediately called and started a payment plan with them. I have never been late on any payment. They have marked my credit score with 9 late payments ( 1 for each loan ). This is creating havoc in my life and is forcing me to find cosigners for each and every major purchase needed. I have been denied by various credit advantages due to this incorrect information on my credit report. All I am asking if for someone to try and understand my situation. This is making my life very difficult when it should not be.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-24
Palma Ceia, FL
Dealing with your lender or servicer
Student loan: Private student loan
Received bad information about your loan
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-24
Yeagertown, PA
Dealing with your lender or servicer
Student loan: Private student loan
Problem with customer service
Complaint: Firstmark, the servicer of my student loan, is showing my balance about {$5000.00} over what it should be. I have contacted them numerous times both via email and telephone regarding this. On the telephone I keep getting told that this will be corrected. Over email I keep being told they need 5 business days. The have arbitrarily and erroneously decided to add money to my balance and refuse to fix it. This is also a zero interest payment so when they do decide to stop breaking the law, they need to make sure that my payments have been applied properly. My credit score went down because of this added debt. This is absolutely ludicrous and I need this fixed.
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-24
Silver Spring, MD
Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Student loan: Federal student loan servicing
Difficulty submitting a dispute or getting information about a dispute over the phone
Complaint: In XX/XX/XXXX, I decided to return to school after having my first child in XX/XX/XXXX. I finished the program with a XXXX GPA and was ready to get to work. The whole premise of the XXXX XXXX was that they promised employment upon completing the program. After graduating in XX/XX/XXXX it took over and a year and a half to find employment. This caused a negative stress on my finances and shortly after I found out I wasn't alone. In the summer of XX/XX/XXXX The XXXX XXXX was investigated for fraudulent behavior and was forced to file chapter XXXX bankruptcy because of exact cases like mine. It has been a 6 years since this has taken place and at this point I'm trying to do the best to move on.
The accounts are have recently closed but still negatively impacting my credit score. I'd like to request that the following closed accounts be removed : US Dept of Education- opened XX/XX/XXXX - closed XX/XX/XXXX Dept of Ed/ Nelnet- opened XX/XX/XXXX- closed XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX
Company Response: Closed with explanation
2019-09-23
Columbia, SC
Attempts to collect debt not owed
Debt collection: Federal student loan debt
Debt was result of identity theft
Complaint: I am a victim of identity theft and this debt does not belong to me. Please see the identity theft report and legal affidavit attached.
Company Response: Closed with explanation