Find the best financial services for you at: SMARTFINANCESOLUTIONS.NET - Why wouldn't Sallie Mae put in writing that they want $50 per loan to process Financial Hardship Deferments? - I have been unemployed for a number of months now, though I have worked in college and afterward. My mother died while I was in college and desperation due to this was the only reason I ever took out Sallie Mae loans, thinking I could work hard, graduate, and pay them off. Disabilities and a period of serious depression due to my mom's death lead to my failing out of college. I literally have no money. (an estranged family member took a good bit of money) With my boyfriend there is just enough to pay the rent, though I've been trying hard to find a job. (thought I had one... someone's mean trick.) Together, we barely have enough for cheap food. I am now in default because I couldn't get together the over $100 to pay to have Sallie Mae defer my loans. I had been hoping my tax refund would come through in time. It didn't. My family and friends are just getting by too and have no money to lend.

The Student Loans officer at my university thought this payment requirement for a financial hardship deferment was ridiculous and suggested asking for this requirement in writing so I could ask around for help paying and Sallie Mae refused. I legitimately tried numerous phone calls (on a borrowed phone - can't afford one myself) and e-mails. Now they have gone to collections and, with interest and charges added, want more than triple what I borrowed - over $70k. If I legitimately didn't have $150, where do they think I'm going to get $70k? I know that bankruptcy is not an option, but what do I do? I'm not some deadbeat - if I had money, I would be paying them, as I have in the past. Why were they so mean as to expect so much money to recognize the fact that I don't have money? And then, why were they so mean that they wouldn't put in writing proof that they wanted that money so I could even try to find an agency that would help me? -