Quick Answer: AES/PHEAA can help federal student loan borrowers access income-driven repayment plans, but poor customer service creates significant problems. This borrower called dozens of times over two months, repeatedly submitted paperwork, and received inconsistent information before finally reaching a representative who could properly process their affordable payment application.
Date Received: 2018-12-31T00:00:00.000
Product: Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
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Consumer Complaint: I have been working with XXXX XXXX XXXX since the end of XXXX to get an affordable payment. I have called at least a dozen times. I have filled out multiple applications and submitted pay stubs multiple times because every time I call I am given a different answer. I still do not have an affordable payment and it is now the end of XXXX with a payment due XX/XX/XXXX. When I asked for a report of all the times Ive called and responses Ive received I was told that is internal information. So there is zero accountability on their part for the fact that it has taken them two months and they have not helped me at all. There is zero accountability for their mistakes but I am expected to make my payment which I cant afford. Today I finally spoke with a woman that partially fixed the problem. But it is simply due to the fact that I was lucky enough to get her on the phone which makes me question what they were doing for the past two months when they told me they were submitting applications. I feel that they do not handle things properly which is worrisome considering the amount of debt that they manage. I am frustrated that they are my only option for repairing these loans. I simply want to be able to afford my payment and make said payment. Not use forebearance time as they have suggested did to me when they dont know what to do. I have never felt so powerless and I feel that it is criminal that they have no accountability and that they dont need to answer to me the customer when they dont do their job. I think that I am well within reason to ask for that breakdown of what they have been doing for the past two months when Ive called. Ive spent countless hours on the phone with them figuring this out. Ive done my job. I feel that they and the department of education are criminals for the way that they handle these things. I have never felt so powerless and I feel that it is criminal that they have no accountability and that they dont need to answer to anyone when they dont do their job. I think that I am well within reason to ask for that breakdown of what they have been doing for the past two months when Ive called. Ive spent countless hours on the phone with them figuring this out. Ive done my job. I feel that they and the department of education are criminals for the way that they handle these things Something must be done.
Company: AES/PHEAA
State/Zip: ME
Company Response to Complaint: Closed with explanation
Was Company Response Timely: Yes
Did Consumer Dispute Company Response: N/A
Complaint ID: 3113618
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