US Education Department Reviews

And their definition of undue hardship is not even close to what people actually experience. I explained to them about my situation, I had to quit my job because my mother has health issues and she can't be by herself because she is considered by law a fall risk, which means if I leave her alone and she falls and hurts herself, I could get into a lot of legal ramifications and that I was coming close to being homeless due to the fact that I had to stop working. Did that matter to these snakes? Nope, they just want what's theirs and to hell if my mother has health issues and I'm about to be on the street. Didn't realize that paying them was more important than a roof over my head or my mother's health. I told them that I was going to declare undue hardship and the representative literally laughed at me and told me good luck!

I have been so angry with those people since, how they can literally bully people and can get away with it. Someone needs to change their unethical ways of obtaining their payment. I got my taxes taken without warning when I was working, I was on a repayment plan until their collection agency Great Lakes took over my account, had all of my information, including my debit card that I never changed, but yet they didn't collect the payment and then that's when the DOE blamed me for missed payments. How is it my fault when they were the ones that didn't do what they were supposed to do? I hope that there will be somebody that will deflate some of their power or shut them down, they are bullies, they obviously don't care about you just to only get what they want, and thanks to them and their cronies, lots of people are homeless, starving, barely making ends meet, and some people have even resorted to suicide. They are really unAmerican!

I am a retired law enforcement officer in special investigations and have worked on high level cases. In my situation I too experienced financial defamation by DE and Nelnet and am working diligently to correct and erase fraudulent reports furnished to Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRA's). The TransUnion, Equifax and Experian have all assured me of this; and will correct and erase false reports as required under federal law. CRA's are awaiting my investigative report. My case involves fraud in accounting by both agencies. My evidence are their documents contradicting what they furnished to CRA's. IRS assisted me with their part of proving my payments not reported on my credit reports by DE and Nelnet.

There is too much to tell you within the confines of this commentary box. I share with you what I know in the hope this helps all of you because I am victimized among you. We have a corrupt student loan system created by greed and abusive power which is why Sen Bernie Sanders wants to scrap the payments owed but he will fail because of exponential profit - the goose laying the golden eggs; we feed the goose.

There are those in government who will help you because they like you do not like government wrong-doing and do work "to serve" their communities with integrity...i.e. IRS provided me with documentary evidence against DE and Nelnet. IRS is mandated (I read their section manual) to withhold your tax refund(s) until doomsday if DE instructs them to through the Treasury Dept's Dept of Fiscal Finance which did sent out a notice to you whether you received it/them or not. IRS will take your tax refund(s) whether you owe DE or not and IRS has no authority to refuse the mandate so do not blame them. The withholds are called TOP Offset (Treasury Offset Program) which by EFT is paid directly to DE by IRS.

I disclosed to IRS what DE and Nelnet did and they didn't like it and helped only as authorized and no more. They must remain neutral. The offset payments reduce your outstanding non-tax debt(s) "BUT"- a big but, the TOP payment once received by DE is dissected into categories that does not reduce your principal much. The largest deduction is the interest - the interest accrued during your non-payment is "capitalized" which is highly profitable in business finance much like a hard money lender and maybe even worse. My first TOP payment paid interest at 79%, a later TOP payment took out 98% interest. The remainder of the payment went to principal and "costs".

Is it legal? Yes... Ethical? No. Interest taken out first sustains a high principal with ineffectual deduction of balance which assures streams of income. I too like you agreed to the loan rehabilitation program. My 8 of 9 payments nears completion within 9 of the ten months required to fulfill the requirements to be "redisciplined" back into normalized loan status. Those payments don't even cover the capitalized interest owed but they do pay into it to keep it from escalating. Know this not stated by DE but their purpose IS to punish you for non-payment or skipped payments. This is evident is misreports, erroneous reports and even fraudulent reports to my CRA's. This is illegal and I will stop it.

The CRA's have told me they are mandated under federal law to do it. They await my report and documentary evidence. They are more than substantial for preponderance because they are DE's records and Nelnet's records. My records corroborate theirs. That's fraud when examined in detail because that is how accounting fraud is accomplished. My suggestions are these:

1) Get your three CRA's reports - each of the three are free every year on request. You can also get free updates through your bank if free monitoring is offered as a banking customer. Creditwise.com, Kreditcarma.com are free also. Know your scores and make it your mission to improve your scores. Be aggressive. This is part of your financial well being.

2) Know how to correct your credit reports - go to youtube.com for free lessons and don't pay for offers to do them because FCRA covers most of how and what to do. Google sites for free sample letters to send to creditors requesting "VALIDATION" - keyword for results. Follow protocol on what you have to do to correct furnished reports. Certify USPS mailing. Get certified mailing labels with numbers at the PO before mailing your letters and print the number on your letter before you mail to creditors. That's the proof on your copies that those were the letters you sent that matches the PO receipt and tracking number. Go to USPS track site and print-out proof of their receipt.

3) Read Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) 15 USC §1681 - it's not very long and not difficult to understand. Know §609 - the "validation" section. For those billed by DE or loan contractors for loans you did not receive look at §605B and the other section relating to fraud. CRA's with your proof of fraud must remove derogatory remarks from your files by federal law...and you can request a "block" of any further incoming false reports, refreshed reports or duplicated reports under this law.

4) Read False Claims Act (FCA) - 15 USC §1681s-2 - give attention to §623 (Accuracy, Prohibition, Duty To Correct) which mandates by federal law what CRA's must do in fairness of your credit reports, especially §623(g) deletion of false reports.

5) Read Mail And Wire/Internet Fraud - 18 USC - §1341; §1343 using the US Postal Service (other commercial carriers as well)to transmit, send, deliver mail with fraudulent billing to deprive you of your money.

6) Think objectively about your case, don't get emotional in your letters or use profanity or threats and write factual, concise and focused business-like letters to your recipient(s) whoever they may be with courteous request for what you ask for....and thank them though you want to chew them out. If you will seek an attorney to file a lawsuit DO NOT DISCLOSE YOUR INTENTION. Just do it when the time comes and let your lawyer handle it. Keep good records and notes for your lawyer to use for construction of your civil complaint and civil suit process. Your lawyer needs your good evidence so keep them safe and never, never give out original evidence until he asks for them to see or possess.. Keep copies for yourself. Do not record phone conversations - it is illegal in most states unless the other person is told it is being recorded. BUT you can take notes of the call and have a witness listening on audio speaker to later attest to the conversation. If collections tells you that the call is being recorded you tell them you are also recording.That's when you find out they aren't recording because they'll hang-up. They aren't licensed collectors if no preadmonition is read to you required under FCRA. That's why you must be armed with knowledge of your consumer rights under federal and state laws so you are able to dispute or disagree in the moment when needed.

7) Those of you mistreated in person or by phone by abusive tone in collection of debt or mislead by misrepresentation in collection of debt or conduct in implication to disgrace you federal law prohibits this: 15 USC § 1692e §807; §807(2)(A); §807(7).

8) For those like me who have more than one loan DE and your loan processor will likely not tell you under federal law you have the right to apply your payment(s) to which is disputed by the consumer.. in accordance with the consumer's directions. 15 USC 1692h §810 - plain English.

9) There are websites you can track your DE loans. I Use: MYEDDEBT.ED.GOV

Again I share my knowledge with you my own research into my own circumstance. Your circumstance may be different in varying complexities but we are faced with a government organization given too much monetary access and legislated powers that are obviously abused and misused. It is not transparent as Congress directed it to be. As consumers we are using a wrecked system not about public service so be vigilant and be armed with as much knowledge you can attain to do what's right for your family and you. God bless you all and God help us....

I'm a single mother who is already not making enough income and here you come giving false information. Now the tax refund that I depend on every year is being taken. I'm in a rehabilitation program and also consolidated my loans. I was told on 2/22/2019 that I was inactive for an offset and that it was sent to the treasury. I called the treasury and they said that it was no record of my offset being inactive and my refund was still being taken 2/27/2019. Treasury told me it takes 24 hours for that information to update. Something has got to be done. I just don't understand how you see someone is in a low income payment program so that means what, YOU HAVE A LOW INCOME, why would you take their money?!!

They did not explain why I couldn't attend anymore. When I submitted discharge applications I was ignored. They had said there was no record of my enrollment. They COMPLETELY ignore me now. However ten years later they are going to garnish my wages. I had other agencies contact them for comment like the BBB and FTC. They told them they never got my discharge applications. I mailed three and for three different reasons due to I qualified for all reasons listed for discharge. Please say you can help me or investigate my truthful statements of fraudulent practices of this Dept. of Education.

All complaint departments are also run by Maximus. So essentially, when you complain, you are complaining to them about them. What kind of response do we think we will get. I have complained to every higher up with DOE and have gotten nowhere. All I can offer is, if you are in default and your loan is with the Default Resolution Group, you can sue Maximus in small claims court per FDCPA as they are not legally allowed to collect, maintain, etc debts as they are not bonded and registered with the state of Texas where they are located. Texas requires this. Everything about Maximus can be found on the Government Register.

My Servicer says they don't take my taxes so I have to contact the IRS, but the IRS documentation says they only take returns when requested by a Servicer. So who the heck do I contact? And is it even worth it, will I be able to get the $728 that will mean the difference to me of not having to return to living on the streets again or is it just gone for good? An answer would be appreciated as this isn't an exaggeration.

Upon speaking to the supervisor, I was basically told (in a much more professional way) the same thing. HOW IS THIS LEGAL?!? My wife and I were going to pay off so many of our debts with our return to get back on our feet, financially and the DOE and DOT has ROBBED that from us! It's absolutely INSANE and in my opinion, a COMPLETELY flawed system!

As an immigrant coming from a family of two hardworking parents who have pinched every penny to ensure that I, my sister and brother get an education while paying the mortgage, taxes, healthcare, food, and clothing; need to speak out about this. I have undergone and witnessed a rollercoaster of ever-changing laws, rules, and regulations that the Education Department and schools choose to build.

I remember what it felt like when I first started school, the freedom of expression, the challenges, learning to read and write, learning how to share and be kind and supportive of my teachers and building friendships. Which later turned into dull, repetitive routines, the fun-challenges turned into trivial test and sour faces with a desperate yearning for a path toward an internship, sponsorship, a fun job. This followed more examinations and scores of repeat lessons which claimed to guide us toward the right school and profession.

For my parents education was a priority and having come from a war and survived, they were thankful to be alive and used their energy by working day and night to afford the basics for our family. They put their trust into the education system and believed that it would guide us to a better life. Which was wrong, because as a graduate I can say that from elementary to high school it was the same, there were a few excursions, fun teachers and memorable moments. I could honestly say that it was a waste of both our taxes and the teacher's patience.

I will explain how critical this period is a little later, but in high school, I noticed a lot and kept a keen eye, ear, and nose out, while delving into the arts, reading up on many authors, and catching up on different cultures. I developed a love for speaking up for the truth and those silenced by was writing about the falsifiable histories published by groups promoting the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover" while doing just that to the human face.

This notion is what the college student undergoes every moment of the day, no longer are we set into a predetermined routine. In college my studies guide my routines, my work and research drove and expanded my passions, and my labor was its wheels and wings. As a student these notions I taught myself while the smirks of my teachers, peers and presentations/assignments became the force which made me question the entire system and how it was creating its own mistakes.

The Education system, its board members, its lenders and its borrowers are in clouds of forever thought; they have reached the pinnacle where they were philosophizing and prying off professors and students. Which in turn makes for comfortable professors and trusting students. This is where students lose an excess amount of money and time while professors, and board members, lenders, and borrowers all gather a large sum of money which is either put to good use or disappears.

This education system has created a form which makes it very expensive and difficult to earn a higher level of education, and it has monopolized the human brain and its abilities which is against our human rights. Our lives are very precious, and we don't have much time to enjoy each other's company or see new adventures and learn lessons that are not taught through repetitive notions. As humans, we can change a lot to better our race and make a heaven on earth if only we could get those who are in charge of social structures like the education system to adopt principles which help guide us from childhood to a happier and prosperous life instead of clouding our families and us.

Throughout my higher education, I have pushed myself through all the government war revved, religious and dangerous divides. Its ignorance showed through the marketing and televised nonsense that the country funds and kept my focus on learning about how to use my skills and abilities to help the young and the old through this while speaking out and writing about its faults. I've gotten many hateful messages and lots of backlash about the promotion of natural and conscious systems of social structures. It has been very challenging but from my experience speaking up is never easy and tears will fall when so many are blind to the unjust.

That is why as a concerned citizen and human I am writing not only to express my sorrow and sadness in the system but ask for help in fighting to improve this system. There are many ideas, notions, and abilities the United States Education system lacks to acknowledge, which in turn promotes a separation. I'm writing about all the people that are forced to take other actions that usually result in building and maintaining ignorance and the lack of community and motivation to help one another. This system promotes wars, and governmental divides instead of unity, handshakes, and the constructions of cross-cultural business and the improvement of life. I would love advice and support in fostering and supporting schools and programs that support healthy lifestyles for their students and families.

I feel if we recognize the schools, teachers, and business that are supporting a an education standard that supports discussion, culture, and fosters and grows talents, innovations, support systems and community outreach programs which help students and their families develop a better understanding we would benefit as a world.

I mean does the government need money so bad that they are taking money from disabled people. Something needs to be done with the way they lie to you and have you calling 5, or 6 different phone numbers but all affiliated with the US Dept. of Education. I think they are all in the same room in the same building have a good laugh at everyone who calls them. Frankly I am done with all their mess. If I get another garnishment on my benefits they are going to have a situation.

The constitution says pursuit to happiness. I'M not happy but stressing & from stressing a person gets sick. Life, love, & liberty where how dare you how could you big gov't. wealthy bank owners steal from the poor & keep getting rich off our little coins. Lying, deceiving & theft by deception of your citizens shame on you Gibbs College, the big gov't., the big rich bank owners, the collectors shame on you all. Citizens of the United States we need to come together. Petition the courts, protest, and fight for more that we deserve like other countries. Many countries' college is free, health insurance is free, housing is free or low for all. We as American citizens deserve better. I pray for all of us in this universe. God bless all of us.

I believe surrounding the attendance error we have a case with "borrower defense" for one. Secondly on contacting the Department of Education Offset unit we were told they had no record of Performant and only had loans showing with Coast Professionals?! We have a clear history of payments with Performant and were never once contacted by Coast professionals or any other loan company after starting with Performant in 2015. We received our tax return in 2015, and in 2016. Yet this year suddenly we are losing our lifeline with no warning and no breach of repayment?! I have a car broken on my driveway and rent due, a 7 year old child and no way to travel or quickly resolve an obvious government or loan company error. What can we do to stop this theft and false/misleading practice by our government and it's lending company's. My family is on the street in less than a month from this post due to this fraud.