Cause Bulletin

Media Request/Quick update

Hey Folks, There is an investigative journalism effort underway that is seeking people who were influenced by advertisements using school mascots, logos, "branded loans", and the like when they chose their lender, only to find out later that they could have gotten far better loan terms elsewhere. This is in the … Read More

Posted by Alan on Feb 7 - 1 comment - See All Bulletins - I Read This

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Julie 1 day ago

I think it's amazing that the only real help the gov't has provided is the payment based repayment plan. Of course, if you are in default because you can't afford to pay you don't qualify. And of course, since you can't afford to pay, you are charged fees. How is it that if you can't afford to pay 15,000, that you could somehow afford 30,000? So stupid!

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Mike 2 days ago

Haiti's at home is the Department of Education student loan industry and it's partners wrecking havoc on American lives. Tortured just like the shop keeper in Haiti caught under tons of concrete in his store living anyway we can, waiting for the rescue to come. Watching, waiting to see if this wait is an exercise in futility at age 58. As a polio survivor wondering if help will ever come in time.

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Kevin 2 days ago

If the Federal Government can "Bailout" the Bankers, Accountants, Investment Firms, that put us here to begin with, through unscrupulous money manipulation, sub prime lending, derivatives and the list goes on, then surely the U.S. Dept. of Education can completely revise their collection practices and set up a program that is reasonable "real" and help us with our debt. Instead of treating real criminals with exception and patting them on the rear, enough of students caught in the Hell of "Student Loan" default and the ultimate road block to any recovery or success. To the Government and the President, you are here for us, we are not here for you. It's the "Peoples Government" something both the Government and the People themselves have seemed to forgotten.

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Barry 3 days ago

I was talked into taking out loans for my stepson's education at AIA. He dropped out his second year and I owed 30,000. After a couple of deferments I started paying on the loan and then the bottom dropped out of my job and life. I am now divorced and owe over 65,000 dollars. I use to make over 45 a year now I will b lucy to make 24 but they don't really care to work with me.

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Kacie 3 days ago

Attended the Brooks Institute of Photography and took out a loan through Sallie Mae for $60,000 7 years ago. Due to interest (which at one point was up to 18%) I now owe $135,000!!! I have been able to defer payments by attending the community college part-time for the last 5 years, but my deferment is up. My payments are going to be $1,650/month and they are giving me NO feasible options for repayment. The only offer they could give me was an interest only payment which only brought the payment down to $1,300/month. I am scraping by and cannot afford these payments and not sure what I am supposed to do. Every company I had researched previously for refinancing, no longer offers that option due to the poor economy. I will do my part to get the word out about all of this. I plan on sending letters to my local politicians, contacting the press, Oprah :), and anyone else I can think of. It's just wrong that we're all going through this and have been taken advantage of!!!

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Julie 3 days ago

My loans have been a nightmare for about 12 years now. My loans were put into repayment when I was still in school. When I tried to explain this, with proof, I was told it was too bad. All downhill from there. One of the biggest issues that I have is with wage garnishment. How is that you can basically steal the little bit of money that I make and yet my outstanding balance has hardly dropped at all. It should not be legal to garnish and not apply that money to the outstanding balance. If I can't afford to pay the loan, I certainly cannot afford to line someone's pocket!

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Deli 4 days ago

Posted a link.
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4 days ago

Has anyone approached the ACLU about this issue. We as former students are discriminated against in the Bankruptcy laws. All other types of loans and debts are allowed to file for bankruptcy except those who went to school and needed financial aid. I seem to believe that if one group of people are singled out and not provided the same rights as others, isn't that considered discrimination?

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Robyn 5 days ago

Donated $25.
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Richard 12 days ago

Ok, in a nutshell (legal term of art) Went to law school. Everyone told me I'd be mak'n the "big bucks" Graduated with about $60,000 in SL. First job wasa with the Fed. Temporary 1 year at $35,000 (GS-11) 1995. At the end of the term I couldn't be retained because of "government downsizing" Student loans on deferral now at about $80,000. Jobs are scarce and I start a bankruptcy practice. make enough to cover bills but not the student loans, 90, 100, 125... then I consolidate! Huge mistake! They tack on another $20,000 just for their efforts? Then whatever, divorce, alchol, etc. it doesn't get better. If I stayed in the union and dropped school I would be retired with a big f'n 401k.

I need relief. And I am willing to do what it takes. Lobbying, letters, project work, what ever..

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Richard 12 days ago

Posted a photo.
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Alan 12 days ago

Posted a link.
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Tia 12 days ago

I owe $120,000 because I went to Fashion School at IADT in Tampa, FL and now the only job I can get is a retail store manager. Every job I apply for says I'm not qualified enough, well then what the hell did I pay 120,000 for???????? I had to claim bankruptcy just so I can afford to pay sallie mae a $700 monthly payment!

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Will 23 days ago

There is legislation that is being consider that, while wholey inadequate to cover most of situation, might give us hope that these arguments can be expanded upon, and gives us an opportunity to blog, maybe even testify, and certainly write and harrash our congressmen and senators.
http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2...

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Will 27 days ago

This is not a directly related article, but it is an article we might want to blog on so others see how our plight is related, especially how unfettered access to student loans to finance higher ed is placing the burden on the least able to pay, those of us from middle class and lower backgrounds that must incure this ...debt, and have no well of relatives to catch us when things go horribly wrong.

http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/t...

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about 1 month ago

Wish I had thought of this before going to school, anyone thinking of going to the Art Insult err I mean Art Institute of Pittsburgh don't. I owe over 86,000 dollars and there are no jobs out there that pay the kind of money needed to pay back those loans.

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Will about 1 month ago

I am interested in connecting with as many people as possible that are interested in this issue. Please send me a friend req with SLJ as the message. Thanks.

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Ginger about 1 month ago

i need to find an attorney who specializes in student loan litigation... i need of one asap - these people are ruining my life!! i have paid these off and now need to get an injunction against them

Membership-milestone

Updated: The cause has reached 2,500 members.

Membership-milestone

Updated: The cause has reached 2,500 members.

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Will about 1 month ago

Donated $25.
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Jim about 1 month ago

I have a lot to say about this...later. For now I just want to say thanks.

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Alan 2 months ago

Posted a link.
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Eamon 2 months ago

If you have 3-d glasses the red and blue type check out the short film I made about student loans. its on eamondriscoll.com There is also a 2-d version on there!! Please let me know if you like it. I just graduated and owe over $60,000. So far alll jobs are like minimum wage!!!

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Square_silhouette

3 months ago

I love how College Debt relief applies for Gov't Jobs only, which happens to be non-existent these days! How Ironic.

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