Recent Posts

1

Student Loan Scams / Re: Clarity Solutions Center...Scam or legit?

« Last post by Medinchen on June 12, 2018, 03:40:06 PM »

I also received the final notice from Clarity Solutions. It looked so legit!! I thought this was an official notice from my loan service provider.

I provided the basic information (unfortunately includes my SNN and 2 references), and it was only towards the end that I was told I'd have to pay nearly $700 in processing fees. That sounded odd to me, so I said that I would have to think about it and that I'd call back. He tried to pressure me and said that this is a limited-time program offer.

I just sent an email informing him that I do not want to take part in this program. However, now I'm terrified because they have my SSN.

2

Ask a Question / Re: Don’t know where to turn

« Last post by TheCollegeInvestor on June 05, 2018, 07:26:20 AM »

You have to treat both the private loan and consolidation loan very differently.

It sounds like you're on track with your private loan? When you can have that paid off and/or eliminated? What is the specific status and balance of it?

For the Federal consolidation loan, you need to get on an income-driven repayment plan ASAP (like today) before your forbearance runs out. You can do this by calling your lender or going online to StudentLoans.gov. This will setup a repayment plan based on your income, which you need to figure out how to afford - it will be the lowest payment you'll ever be able to get.

Then, look at boosting your income by working a second job, driving for Uber, etc. to get more income to pay down these loans.

3

Ask a Question / Don’t know where to turn

« Last post by Angelhvnly on June 04, 2018, 11:15:41 AM »

Hi everyone. I really need some help/advice. My wages are currently being garnished from my job, and I need to know what to do. Here is the problem: I had consolidated my loans a couple of years ago, and had been making payments regularly. I had been sent letters in the mail that I was in default. I was confused, and had made several phone calls about this, and was told I was in default on a loan taken out in 1994 from a private school I had attended (and had dropped out from). I was shocked, as I had assumed that all of my loans had been consolidated (and my fault for not paying attention). I made arrangements and put my payments in autopay. I unfortunately had to put my other loans in forbearance because I could not pay both. So I made ontime payments on the defaulted loan for a year, but was unaware that I had to reapply for payments after a year and missed two payments before being notified that my wages were now being garnished. I applied for a hearing, and was given a partial forgiveness due to financial hardship (meaning my garnished wages were lowered). I applied to reconsolidate all my loans with Great Lakes, but was told that as long as that one loan is being garnished, I could not reconsolidate. This is turning into a nightmare for me, as I cannot make payments on the consolidated wages in forbearance, because the garnished wage payments are too high (360 dollars month). The loan was 10,000 dollars, and currently stands at 8000 dollars after I have paid approximately 4000 dollars. The interest and fees are killing me. As it stands, I will never pay this off, and my consolidated loans will go into default when my forbearance runs out. I don’t know what to do. I am thinking my only options are: hire a lawyer to help, or take out a personal loan (and put myself in debt more) to pay off the loan. What do I do?

4

Student Loan Scams / Re: Kevin Mason Law Firm

« Last post by Jeff on May 31, 2018, 08:57:30 AM »

so I have been following this thread of information because I have been thinking about using GM Law Firm to help me with my debt. I have to say the information I have been reading is very hard to follow. the link a couple comments above, posted by user Colleague is very misleading as well. it directs you to a link that shows a lawsuit, "Castellanos vs GM Law Firm" however, if you actually look up the lawsuit it shows that it has ben dismissed, I have attached a copy of the pdf dismissal I downloaded. It seems as though this Attorney Hofer has some sort of personal gripe with GM Law because the case with Castellanos was dismissed, however he is back on this forum searching for potential clients again? This is all very confusing as the information i have pulled up about GM Law Firm doesn't lead me to believe they are Fraudulent or bad. It simply shows that there are a few clients that just aren't happy. I'm going to keep following this info thread for more information before i make my decision and do some further research. I hope what i have found here is helpful to others.

5

Student Loan Scams / Re: Kevin Mason Law Firm

« Last post by Hoferlawindy on May 24, 2018, 07:24:14 AM »

My name is Steve Hofer, I am a consumer attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. I have received complaints about Kevin Mason, GM Law Firm, and National Legal Staffing Support LLC from people located in multiple states.  If you have information, I would love to talk with you (no charge), and I will try to refer you to a NACA consumer lawyer in your state.  My policy is that I only take clients from Indiana. 

Steven Hofer
Consumer Law Office of Steve Hofer
8888 Keystone Crossing Suite 1300
Indianapolis In 46240
(317) 662-4529
www.hoferlawindy.com

(You can Google me to find out I am legit.  For a quick response, call me on the phone or fill out the intake form on my website listed above. I can't check this message board very often, and I don't want my email address spammed. Some states might consider this to be ATTORNEY ADVERTISING MATERIAL.)

6

Student Loan Scams / Re: Kevin Mason Law Firm

« Last post by Italipino on May 24, 2018, 05:47:12 AM »

I'm in this same boat right now. Can anyone share updates? I am sick over this and don't know where to turn. I see there was a recent lawsuit against them for this.

7

Student Loan Scams / Re: Alumni Help Center

« Last post by TheCollegeInvestor on May 22, 2018, 01:55:21 PM »

First off, for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), there are three qualifications:
1. Public Service Employment
2. Direct Loans
3. Income Driven Repayment Plan (Note: the graduated repayment plan is NOT a qualifying plan)

**Note: Congress just passed an exception to allow some graduated plan participants to switch to income-driven plans and have their payments count, but it's an exception process with limited funding. If you're new to PSLF, chances of funding existing in 10 years are minimal, so I wouldn't chance it when you can do it right from the start.

That being said, if you choose to work with a third party, you need to vet them and know what you're getting exactly. You also need to follow up on the work involved - it's like taxes. Even if you pay a preparer, the IRS doesn't care. It's still your return.

We can't help you form an opinion about working with a third party company. As we've stated, you can do it yourself and recommend it. If you choose to, make sure you know what you're getting and paying for.

8

Student Loan Scams / Alumni Help Center

« Last post by kguidotti on May 22, 2018, 01:21:59 PM »

I was recently contacted by the Alumni Help Center, who offered me quite a bit of forgiveness under the graduated repayment program and PSLF.  I've attempted to find this program on studentloans.gov and don't see the application.  I've read all of the articles referenced in this forum and know that I can apply on my own.  That said, is this company a known scam?  They have good BBB ratings. 

9

General Discussion / Re: Welcome! Read the Rules

« Last post by JeniferWilliams on May 17, 2018, 06:39:48 AM »

I just joined the forum and read this thread first, it seems to be very helpful.

10

Student Loan Forgiveness / Re: When to file the employment certification form

« Last post by TheCollegeInvestor on May 15, 2018, 10:49:36 AM »

I would speak to your HR representative and ask them what they prefer, since they will need to certify it for you.