A Sense of Humor and some Answers

 A post in Purple.

Finally got a rep with a sense of Humor. Called on 9/21/20 at 5:38 pm and talked to Daniel (#623230) at 5:46 p.m. at 1-800-699-2908 and he let me know that my account was in forbearance, I don't need to make any payments until January 2021, but I told him I sent in my recertification and was informed I would hear something after 9/14/20 and now it's 9/21/20. I don't like surprises, so if they can tell me now what my monthly fee will be after this crap, that will help the stress. (Reason I said he had a sense of humor was because he asked me for “her” social security number and I said “I should know it, it’s mine”. They received my paperwork on 9/10/20 and it’s on hold and someone is working on it but no reason why. So Dan put me on hold an then came back at 5:57 p.m. and said he’s working on getting a rep. At 5:59 p.m. I got Elaine (#619626). She said normal processing time is 7 to 10 business days so I called early. Won’t hear anything until September 29^th or so But she ran a proxy and said it could be $295.98/month starting in January 2021. That’s a better idea to have in mind so I don’t have any major surprises. Finally – some reps with some info!

Starting the 2020 thing

 A post in purple.

So, I got the Your Annual Recertification is Coming Soon! letter posted July 25, 2020. It states in the letter that "In about 2 months, look for another communication from us..." - let me tell you: that letter NEVER COMES.

It also states "If we do not receive your completed application and all supporting documentation within 10 days of 9/27/202, your monthly payment is estimated to be $981.74."

It's August. In two months, it'll be October. Yeah, I'll be late. So I called on 8/6/2020 at 10:01 am. to 1-800-699-2908. Got Jacqueline #620102 at 10:04 a.m. She walked me through NOT Logging IN on the website in order to get the new form. She told me "The form never changes, just the date". 

*blink*

So, I can't use the 2019 form because it says 2019 in the upper right hand corner. But it's the same information. What a waste.

So, I filled it out, copied all my answers from last year, and I'm mailing it in. Why mail instead of online? I don't trust them. I'm recertifying now and not waiting for their damn letter.

Generous FedLoan

A post in white.

I never, EVER say this about the government, but they are being generous. I checked and saw that the last time they sent me a payment slip and I paid it was March 2020. At 9:17 a.m. on 7/23/20 I called 800-699-2908 and spoke to Danesha #622144 and she told me that even if I make a payment right now, it will count towards the Forgiveness program. Even if I DON"T make a payment, it counts towards the Forgiveness program. She said "It would not be fair" if the months of no payment had to be made up later. The call ended at 9:21 a.m. I am in shock. But I will still send a payment.

During a Time of Crisis

A post in Goldenrod.

So, it's a time of crisis around the world. Lots of people, everywhere, can't make their student loan payments when they ain't got a paycheck. Not our fault. Mother nature, or, some lab somewhere in the world that 007 hasn't infiltrated yet, let loose a virus. So we're screwed. And the FedLoan people sent out a letter to all stating:

The Cares Act went into effect stating 0% interest rate until September 30th. 
Everyone is in Administrative Forbearance. Meaning, ya ain't gotta make a payment. 
If you DO make payments during that time, it goes towards the principle, and not the interest. After you've paid off the interest already there.

So this is a good move for those who have lost their jobs because of closings and furloughs and all kinds of crap like that. I can't see anything bad here. I just wanna know what the backlash will be....

No Address on file???

A post in orange

So I didn't receive a bill for November, didn't receive a paper bill for December. And yet, FedLoan still wants their money.

So I paid them, both on time, and then I called on January 3, 2020. I called at 12:23 p.m. to 1-800-699-2908. Talked to Ashley who is #622672. After answering her questions that had nothing to do with why I was calling, I told her "I need to know why I'm not getting a paper bill." She looked at my account and noticed I'm not paperless, but my address had disappeared from my account.

Seriously???
Fricking goverment loses my address and still wants me to pay something?????
I had "no address on file."

WTF????

So, letting Ashley know it's not her fault, she went ahead and re-attached my address to the account. I'm supposed to get a paper bill for February. 

Seriously, people? The incompetence is just......crazy.