posted December 19, 2011 03:53 PM            

So last week I called them to restart payments on my student loan. I had already defaulted before, so I was on this special payment plan where I couldn't miss a month or be sent directly to collections. I was two months behind, but the guy who was in charge of my account told me it was okay because Sallie Mae opted to keep my file rather than sending it off to collections.

When I went off to Korea, my mother DIDN'T pay for my student loan like she said she would because she was going through a severe depression, so they defaulted me after 270 days... I didn't find out until I re-entered the country and checked my mail.

Anyway, when they told me it was okay that I was late and they weren't sending my to collections, I was all:

Fast forward to Friday literally a week later, I call Sallie Mae because I want to change the bank account that I have on automatic payment. The guy tells me that my account is being switched "agencies" and I'm like... "Ok. What does that mean?" and he says, "Well, call back on Monday and set up a new payment plan with them."

I was confused, but I say thank you. I call back today. I find out that my account WAS sent to collections just TWO DAYS after my account manager had told me that it was fine, and now I have this agency coming after me to pay FULL PRICE on my student loan. The new agent on my file even had the audacity to ask me if I could sell a car or use my father or my relatives credit card to pay off the loan. I was like:

I told him there absolutely no way that I would just come up with 14k in a week. If I could, I would've thought of it already and paid off this loan. He then asks me if he can talk to my mom who is the co-signer on my loan.

I talked to my mom, who actually has a ton of cash but she's tight-fisted with it, and she said that she'd pay off the whole loan for me. I was like:

Now, I don't know if she'll actually do it... but just hearing her say that almost put me in cardiac arrest. This woman has never paid for anything in my life. Literally nothing. The last time I remember her giving me money was $5 seven years ago when I was taking the train to college.

Anyway, hopefully... My mom will speak to them and negotiate to pay off the loan for 50% of it's value. Usually collection agencies are willing to compromise to that point if you fight with them long enough. Okay - done with my rant. PHEW. Such a stressful morning. I need a drink.