Student loans

I have had the worst problems with my student loan company. All I want to do is pay the goddamn bill so that I can get my interest reduced eventually, and yet, for the second month in a row, I'm on the phone fighting with them.

I suck at just remembering things, so I decide to set up their automatic debit system. It doesn't work. I have to fight with them and end up with a payment dinged as late. Fine. I'll put up with it once, I guess.

I say, ok, I'll set up an automatic payment through the bank. It also does not work correctly. They took the money out of my account on the 27th, yet the company says I still haven't paid my bill. WTF? I'm now have to call them for the third time in a week and convince them not to hit me with late charges.

Blah. I hate them.
Does anyone else have these kinds of problems?

 

Do you mind telling us which company you're dealing with?

I consolidated mine with the Dept. of Education (back in the day when you could do that), so I haven't had problems, but I had issues with a credit card company and having my account debited correctly.

 

I'm going through Nelnet.

I've spoken to their reps, who just keep pushing their automatic debit system. When I explain that I tried to set it up and it didn't work correctly, all they say is "oh. I'm sorry about that." and change the subject.

When I called to complain about this latest hassle, they said it can take up to 10 days to process the payment. Really? 10 days to process an electronic transfer?
That's pretty ridiculous, in my mind.

 

I had big problems with one of my companies. The loan was originally held by the school, but they got in bed with a company called My Campus Loan or whatever (that's what their website is called, it may be a different corporate name). I'm pissed that the school outsourced to some random company and then managed to fuck everything up in transition. I ended up borrowing money from a different source to pay off that loan so I didn't have to deal with that company.

 

I think 10 days is a bit long for an electronic transfer. It takes my insurance payment two days at most.

I'd ask to speak to a higher up and see if they know what's going on. Sounds like the reps you're speaking to are pulling shit out of their ass.

 

Mine's just through the government. Am I the only one?

And I think I've made like 12 payments total. I've had it in forebearance for about 8 years.

 

You can also look into consolidating your loans with another company. It might take a coupla months, but you can get in with a more compentent group of people that way.

 

Glad to know I'm not the only one.

 

So's mine, but it's not in forebearance.

DC, you might look into consolidating in the government. I know the feds have been great when I've needed to skip a payment for money issues, and I've never had issues with a payment not showing up there.

 

I consolidated most everything through Salle Mae, and the only problems I've had with them is getting spammed by their stupid business partners. I'll be paying for the next 24 years, and that's if I don't take a forebearance soon, which I might because I'm poor. Joke's on them, though, I'm not going to live another 24 years.

 

I should call and thank my dad for footing most of the bill for college.

 

I'll second Sallie Mae - I've been paying my student loans off for way too long but I've either done it the old-fashioned way and mailed in a check to SM each month or have done online payments with them. I consolidated my loans last year, locked in at a decent rate, and am in a plan where if I make the payments on time each month for a year, they'll knock a percentage point off the loan. I've found the online services user-friendly ... until I'm asked to remember my password. :-\