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RocketSquid's avatar

Have you used any debt relief programs, or do you have anyone you would recommend for taking over my Sallie Mae Loans?

Asked by RocketSquid (3486points) September 2nd, 2010

I have a lot of student debt, most of which is through Sallie Mae. I need to consolidate what I have and see what I can do about lowering my monthly payment for the time being, and I’m also tired of some of the crap SM tends to pull (for example, I get charged a late fee every time I make a payment even if I’m paying a month ahead.)

While I’ve been searching through google for different programs, I keep coming up to pages that offer to settle the loans and even get a certain percentage forgiven. Granted, seeing as it’s the internet, I’m pretty wary of a lot of these offers. Are any of them true?

Basically, have you used any programs for student loan debt relief and would you recommend them?

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1 Answer

tedd's avatar

I’m in the same boat as you, and unfortunately right now with the economy being what it is you’re going to be hard pressed to find anyone.

Wells Fargo has a program, but with them as one of my loan holders to begin with I would tell you to run the other way. Their customer service is terrible, they mess crap up often, and the interest rates weren’t even good on it (sure you would have lower payments and a new loan, but you’d end up paying like an extra 60k over the life of the loan or some other ridiculous number).

Unfortunately you’re up sh*t creek right now as far as consolidating private loans. Call up the loan companies and ask them about setting up different payment schedules (graduated pay plans for example let you pay less for 2–3-whatever years then gradually pay more as theoretically your income increases…. added side bonus they tend to pay the loan off faster in the long run).

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