Student Loan Forgiveness: What You Need to Know

Reader Comments
Back to article

After recovering from mental illness, addiction, and homelessness since 1999, I am finally fairly healthy and beginning to start anew. I still owe quite a bit in Federal Student Loans, and finally called to get the necessary info on what I owe, to whom, and how I can start to clear my financial messy record. (I do some private tutoring but am not yet officially employed.) I plan to follow the consolidation route and, if miracles really do happen, go back to school for my Master's degree or at least some current specified training in psychology or a related field. I've read about the 2008 forgivess of loans for public-related workers, and obviously I don't qualify there. I am wondering/praying if there exists any form of assistance for repayment or forgiveness of loans due to "hardship" such as chronic homelessness, mental illness, and/or addiction. I'd be so grateful for any information anyone may supply; even personal opinions and advice is very welcomed.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Nikki Helen Martin

Nikki Helen of FL 11:10AM January 20, 2013

Hello I just visit your website so that i want to learn in university of America but no capacity to attend so can u help me I have high school diploma thanks

DUKUZIMANA MABARE John Baptist 6:19PM August 27, 2010

Is there any forgiveness for people who do not work in public service jobs, but have outstanding student loans?

Greg Smith of GA 12:50PM May 17, 2010

Are all student loans eligible for the new laws of forgiveness? IE Not just the loans from the governemnt agency DSL?

Vickie of OH 10:02AM May 06, 2010

Get an attorney!! It sounds like you have a case. there is always legal stipulations and things that a good attorney will know! Bottom line you were severely mislead and that's a form of fraud.

Tylerdirden of WA 11:55AM May 05, 2010

i been on a deferred stats and now i am permenatly/statinary seen doctors /trying to get something been outyof work 5yrs.student lenders send me letters /ask me why i do not pay tell myself if i can only get a income.the school closed did not get a ed. like suppose to have this is an on going thing with these creditors i am homeless/no job or money can i get my students loans erased hope someone can help me

mel of CA 2:07AM May 03, 2010

i am so greatfull mr morriss logan for helping my family today thanks and god bless.

mrs lilly of NY 7:31AM April 27, 2010

To the first poster- your loan balance keeps getting bigger because you are not paying enough to balance out the interest being charged to your account each month. The should be something on your statement that tells you how much interest capitalized since your payment, etc.

hartman of MO 6:40PM April 08, 2010

MY LOAN WENT TO A COLLECTION AGENCY THAT TAKES OUT $104.00 EVERY 1ST OF THE MONTH OUT OF MY CHECKING ACCOUNT-MY PRINCIPAL BALANCE WAS $7,685.16- I'VE BEEN PAYING FOR A YEAR NOW -AND MY NEW BALANCE IS $9.682.36-NO ONE SEEMS TO BE AB;E TO EXPLAIN WHY MY LOAN IS ADDING INSTEAD OF SUBTRACTING THE PAYMENT. THEY TOLD ME I CAN TAKE A DEFERMENT AFTER 3 ORE PAYMENTS- WHO IS GETTING THE MONEY AND CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT IS GOING ON AND DO I QUALIFY FOR THAT GOV. ASSISTANCE

SAUDI of NE 8:17PM April 01, 2010

I heard you speak today on the DR show, and bagan investigating the IBR plans that were mentioned.
I have been unemployed since my graduation in May of '08 and MOHELA (Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority) wouldn't send me the economic hardship forms until I had made my first payment...A payment I couldn't make because I had no income! By the time the IBR program became available my loans were already in default and I currently have no hope of resolving the problem at any time soon...
On the DR show you seemed to indicate that the Income-Based repayment option is the best recourse for those of us who are in trouble because we can't make our loan payments...However in researching the situation the IBR paperwork clearly states that loans that are in default are inelligable for the program...is there any aid or options you can offer those of us who are already in trouble?

Karmen of MO 5:26PM March 30, 2010