| # | First Name | Last Name | Please provide a comment or personal story. |
|---|
| 301 | Stacey | Frayn | please help us those stuck in the cracks - i'll never pay my loan off without assistance and I can't get any because of a bank error in 2005, my RBC loan was sent straight to collection and I was personally humiliated as was my family by the agency. I refuse to make one cent of a payment until the collection agency and Royal Bank recitfy the error. It's 2007 and I'm still waiting... |
| 302 | Jennifer | Wilson | The National Student Loan centre need to be held accountable for not communicating in due time to financial institutions. My credit rating has been ruined because of their error. They even apologized with a letter of admission and then still wouldn't follow through to the Royal Bank, who by then, had put my loan into collections. |
| 303 | Patrick | Gaumond | If you need some I have many. Mostly concerning illegal tactics used by collection agencies to get you to pay more then you can afford. |
| 304 | Anonymous | Anonymous | I had my loans go into collections while I was in school despite having sent in my confirmation of enrollment. They acknowledged their error, BUT REFUSED TO CLEAR MY CREDIT RECORD OF THE ISSUE!! It took my member of parliment raising the issue relentlessly before I was cleared and a letter of apology was sent. |
| 305 | Anonymous | Anonymous | Every point is well made. If I knew the problems with the current student loan program I would have never taken out a student loan. |
| 306 | April | St.Germaine | I've been paying on a Federal and Provincial loan for a few years now and Ive put a dent in the loans. Interest applied on them is reduculous and because I can only make small payments its taken a while to go down. But I have to tell you about this one time I was dealing with this collection agent from either Nordon or ARC I cant remember because one holds one loan and one holds the other. Anyway, The agent called me and yelled at me asking where was my patment. So I told him I made the payment at which bank it was made and the transit number and I hung up on him. He called back screaming at me and threatening me. I hung up and he called back again. I told him not to call back and hung up. He called back again and my husband got on the phone and the had a sceaming and insulting match and he hung up. The agent called back again. My husband told him not to phone back again and when he hung up I phoned the OPP. I filed a complaint against the company and the agent. The OPP investigated but no charges were laid. I called the floor manager and the regional manager and of course they were on the side of the agent and actually tried to make me feel bad because my husband yelled back at the agent. Anyway that agent isnt on my case anymore and Im still making my payments but it makes me sick that these people think that they can bully and threaten people. Its truly shameful. Sometimes people that have outstanding loans arent bad theyve just fallen on hard times. I hope this can change because its not fair or right. |
| 307 | Jonah | Cunningham | Students facing suffocating debt do not make happy, productive members of canadian society... |
| 308 | Michael | Stacey | Briefly, this is my student loan story:
In 2001, I began experiencing a difficult financial situation. As I had
previously exhausted all interest-free eligibility, my loan went to
collections. I freely admit that I must accept a certain degree of
responsibility for this, and while I do think that this situation could
have been handled better, my contention is not so much with the fact
that my case went to Collections, but rather with the way it was
handled
from that point.
From the moment the collection agencies took over my case [there was a
collection agency assigned to both the government portion of the loan
(principal) and the bank portion (interest)] my life turned into a
chaotic nightmare. Both collection agencies used nothing short of
"Draconian-type" methods to force me to pay the outstanding balances
in
full. I received weekly letters, daily phone calls (at home and work)
at
all hours of the day- they even spoke to my family, boss and
colleagues.
I was instructed find a rich relative, get a co-signer to obtain a
consolidation loan, do whatever it takes to save my credit before I
become financially ruined. I was told to look at homeless people and
ask
myself "Is this where I want to end up?".
One rather memorable conversation took place while I was working, at
precisely 7:00 am (the beginning of my shift) on New Years Eve, 2002.
The agency representative informed me that a Bail bondsman was also
participating in what was deemed to be a three-way conference call to
inform me that court papers were about to be mailed to me , instructing
me that I would be forced to appear before a magistrate, that I would
be
fully responsible for all ensuing court and legal costs, and that in
the
end, 80 % of my pay cheques would be garnished until the amount owing
was paid- unless, of course, I paid in full immediately.
This ruse even went so far as to put me on hold while the agency
representative pleaded with the Bondsman to hold off on sending the
papers while he negotiated a suitable "good-faith" payment from me.
e.g.
he would accept a $1000.00 payment in exchange for a 10 day grace
period
to gather the necessary funds. While I was supposedly on hold, I was
purposely allowed to hear their whole "song and dance", as they
bartered
my fate. While I was sure it was a practiced routine, with no
representation, and feeling trapped, I was forced to send off the money
( Which I could not afford).
Long story short, I finally obtained representation through the
Canadian Financial Wellness Group in early 2003. After their
intervention on my behalf, the threats (for the most part) ceased. I
set
up a reasonable re-payment plan, and over the course of the next six
months, I was able to get back on my feet. My health began to return to
normal and things were looking up. However, recently the agencies (one
in particular) have begun to harass me again, even though I have not
missed a single payment- I've even voluntarily increased my payments.
Furthermore, when I do receive an account statement I am dismayed to
see
just how little of my payment actually goes towards the loan itself.
It
is next to impossible to contact these people and in fact, they almost
seem to fly below the radar.
I would be very happy to speak with you and share my story in greater
detail. I would also like to thank you for taking the time to listen to
my Student Loan story. Thank you, and I look forward to speaking with
you.
Sincerely,
Michael Stacey |
| 309 | Kristian | Baker | I've been looking at the interest rates of my student loan these last few months. I owe $11,474.00 right now and it will take about 13 years to pay off. I'm taking a rough guess and will say that I'll be paying over $10,000.00 in interest by the time the loan is paid off if I keep on paying the same amount I have been. The thing is, I have been paying more than the required payment and I'm one of the fortunate ones that can afford to do so. It certainly isn't the way for many other people who have no means to pay for their student loans and no resources to turn to save for those offered by the banks and CSL. It seems like the entire student loan system is set up to fail and cost the government more money to collect what is owed than is profitable. Its broken and sinking and taking good people down with it. I agree with all the recommendations here 100% -- more if I'm rested. |
| 310 | Joey | Copeman | My education is an investment in my future, but it is not only my benefit. The whole of the canadian society which I am a part of benefits. If you want the best country than you have to invest in us, the people who live in it. |
| 311 | Basil | Keilani | I have years to go before paying my debt, the interest seems outrageous, to avoid bankruptcy, it makes sense to have a lower interest rate. |
| 312 | Mary | Galley | HELP! These are great improvements. Simplify keeping in touch with updates and confirmation of paperwork receipt for Canadians studying abroad. You would not believe the time I have had in maintaining good (?) standing! To keep my debt manageable, I have not taken a loan to finance this portion of study and simply cannot afford unnecessary interest payments etc.. the expense here has been heavy and the sacrifice to relationships, family etc.. doesn't need to be compounded by added financial stress upon returning home.
Keep Canadian students educated! |
| 313 | Misha | MacKinnon | Ab so lute ly dude |
| 314 | Anonymous | Anonymous | Its high time for a change, the student loan system is broken and unfair. |
| 315 | Gregory | Magas | . |
| 316 | Adam | Jones | I fully support this effort! The system really needs to be changec. I've really had a hard time dealing with incompetent NSLC staff.. |
| 317 | April | Jones | I have had such a hard time with collection agencies. I've wanted to pay but I cant pay what they are asking. Who gave them the right to abuse me because I have a student loan? |
| 318 | Joanne | Biln | There isn't enough room here to tell my story, so in brief... Injuries I suffered in a car accident in 1993, caused by the other driver's negligence, left me having to change careers at the age of 34. I returned to college in 1994, and as a result of my back, neck and head injuries, it took 5 years for me to complete a 2 year diploma program, and over $45,000 in student loans.
Since graduation, employment has been sporadic and I've struggled financially. The stress and pressure of my financial difficulties has caused me severe psychological, emotional, physical and spiritual hardship. As far as I'm concerned, I've been failed on my levels by Provincial and Federal Government programs and Institutions - from ICBC, Canada Revenue, The Government Student Loan Program to their agents such as Scotia Bank. I'm sickened when I think of the over $45,000 profit, in interest alone, that will have been collected from me by the time I'm able to repay my student loans. The system must improve or graduates like myself can't possibly pay back loans in a timely manner! I have no hope of acquiring savings to support myself by the time I have to retire. Please reduce or eliminate interest rates on Student Loans, re-evaluate grants and other means of reducing post-graduate debt through hardship relief, interest free periods! I'm in full support of making changes to the Canada Student Loan Program as proposed in this petition! |
| 319 | Tina | Mongrain | My story of student loan Hell will not fit into a little blurb. Suffice it to say I'm one of the one's that despite my best intentions just never seem to keep my head above water. I have been desperately broke and have thought on many occasions of bankruptcy but that is not even an option, I'm not consistent with my employment due to health issues but too healthy for disability. I am still trying to pay off my student loans 10 years after the fact.
I'm treated lower then dirt every time I try to make payment arrangements with the so called people that deal with my defaulted debt they have suggested crass options like borrowing from relatives or moving just so I can get a better job.. The kicker is because of my incomplete education the best job I can get is working in a call centre. I've tried to get ahead I was at one time paying half my income to the student loan vultures till I went to credit counselling and they stopped that right away...
I just want these "peoples" to know not everyone is thinking woo hoo student loans can go kiss my but some of us are actual kept up nights at our inabilty to pay this debt back and everything we try to do always goes back to our failure of paying it back.
I can't get a loan, mortgage or anything so I'm stuck in the cycle of non payment and more and more guilt wondering when I'm going to get my life back.
The upside to this blurb that is just having minimum wage jobs for most of the time I've been out of school and paying this debt except for one year I have managed to pay off at least $10K of my $16K debt.
I hope that one day I'll get my entire Income tax return and that I will be debt free within the next 2 years. I pray that we start getting treated with respect and that this petition does it's job.
Thanks for listening to me babble.. It's a topic that's near and dear so I could go on and on. |
| 320 | Anonymous | Anonymous | All I wanted was a written statement of the balance of my accounts with OSAP and CSL - it took years to get (I live overseaS), an, all the while, the interest mounted... Please help the students that borrow money. We want to be clear of our debt, but not to be saddled with additional interest that makes repaying even more difficult! |
| 321 | Anonymous | Anonymous | student loans are making post-secondary education more of a burden. Most students cannot afford to go to school without a student loan, and with the high cost of tuition the student loans are enormous. A student cannot control the cost of tuition, are not fully educated on the costs of student loans, and if you mess up once watch out...you will get to know collection agencies real quick. IF that happens, the cycle is neverending. You have very little hope that you will ever get back on track, and your credit rating is doomed! |
| 322 | Heather | Williams | I have three loans in default, I don't know where one of them is now. I fell behind when trying to apply for interest relief and now cannot catch up thanks to the amount of interest every month. One loan and one payment would be a huge improvement. |
| 323 | Christian | Clar | my student loans have landed me in massice debt but I have yet to find a job that pays better than minimum wage plus 10-15%. The bankruptcy period should be lowered from 10 years to 2 |
| 324 | Jason | Hallman | Blood suckers that are the student loan people who don't TELL you nor respond to anything and leave you out to dry without letting you know anything about your loans!!!!! |
| 325 | Anonymous | Anonymous | The current student loan system is onerous beyond belief, and is financially crippling our young people. |
| 326 | Jamie | O'Hanlon | I just want to get started in life and it feels like this is not a possibility. I graduated 2 years ago and I expect to live at home until age 35 in order to pay off my student loan. |
| 327 | Matthew | Lerette | There should not be interest on student loans, or at least it shouldn't accrue during the time you are studying and the 6 months following while you look for employment. |
| 328 | Spiros | Bettas | I have been helping a friend deal with the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities about a claim of a grant overpayment that dates back to 1990. The MTCU claims that limitation statutes do not apply, however the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that the Crown is bound by limitation periods. It is frustrating that the Ombudsman's office is ill prepared to assist in such cases and we are currently working with a local MPP to resolve this. In a court of law, the MTCU's claim would be nullified which is why, we believe, they are not pursuing their claim in a court of law, but rather using income tax off-set programs to take my friend's tax refunds. In my opinion, this is an abuse of power and should be investigated. |
| 329 | Daniel | King | Considering the effect my need to PURCHASE higher education has had on my financial well-being, I honestly sometimes regret pursuing a University Degree. If Canada WANTS a society of the non-educated, they're going the right way about it. It's just getting too expensive to get a quality education without financially paralyzing yourself until well into your 40's. Some of us don't have rich parents, and I worked 2 jobs all the way through University to support myself while at school. The only thing the loan paid for was tuition and books, and here I am, over 10 years later, still paying it back. |
| 330 | Maureen | Doyle | When attending school-as a single sole support parent, I received the lowest amount from OSAP-and I am very stressed about the amount of money I owe with interest accruing at 8.97 a day on one loan...and 1.98 a day on another. I have been in intrest relief since the Fall of 2005--but my time is coming up soon--and I feel like ending my life. I can't possibly afford to make the payments. I believe I should have to pay back the tuition--which is high--and the cost of books. But the amount of money I received to live on and support 2 sons--was barely enough. And after all this education, I'm working at a Call Centre.
I thought by getting a good education, I would work in a field that was of interest to me-and give my family a beter life. Now all my sons see is a mother who has been in the hospital for a mental break down-due to debt. I used credit cards to buy groceries and things my sons needed while attending school. I am currently seeing a psychiatrist--and suicide is always on my mind. I never thought I'd see the day I'd find myself in this prediciment. Education is just a money making scheme--and there is little help once a person completes their education--because jobs that I am supposed to be qualified for ask for someone with experience. I believe our government--who gives a lot toward military and who takes a lot off my bi weekly checks--has been payed back in part. There should be some exception for single parents who attended school--insofar as debt reduction. Sincerely.Maureen Doyle |
| 331 | bernard | wills | cruelty and stupidity themselves could not have devised a worse system than csl |
| 332 | Judy | Williams | These sound great if they would only get in place |
| 333 | Anonymous | Anonymous | My husband and I having been struggling to pay off our loans for 7 years and trying to manage 4 payments. Our interests rates are higher than our car payment and morgage! |
| 334 | Cynthia | Wall | Because of the short term availability of interest relief I was forced to default - and still have never recovered. |
| 335 | Anonymous | Anonymous | 50,000 student debt load. Bank lost interest relief papers, in default for 5 years...etc...etc...etc... |
| 336 | merwie | garzon | These amendments are really overdue - too many students are being dissuaded from pursuing higher education because they have witnessed the hardship of previous student borrowers. |
| 337 | Anonymous | Anonymous | Thank you for this petition, its time for the government to take a serious look on whats going on and provide better cheaper solutions for the students who are the future of this country |
| 338 | Anonymous | Anonymous | Collectors are very unresponsive when it comes with working with the student. Some monthly payments are more than a student may make, just out of school. Students are not neccessarily able to find employment right away in their field. Some are forced to take lower paying jobs just to survive; collectors do not care about the students finacial circumstances. |
| 339 | Quinci | Best | I have had a horrendous time dealing with the gov't and collections oficers in determining my debt and the best way to pay it down. I had to pay a third party money that could have gone twoards my loan- to clear up the mess the gov't caused an put me on track. This needs reassesment now! |
| 340 | Jodi | Frye | I am currently paying out more for my students loans than I can afford. I have barely enough money left for food and transportation to work. Yet this doesn't matter in the eyes of the National Student Loan Centre. How can our government continue to advocate education when those who try to get ahead are punished in debt. It just doesn't make any sense! |
| 341 | Cedric | Blais | I completely agree with this petition. |
| 342 | Richard | Martin | I have had problems with student loans since I began to pay them back. At one point I was going away to core training for the prison. I was not going to be receiving any income for a period of 14 weeks. I attempted to inform the Student Loan Dep't and told them I had documentation to this effect and that after this period I could resume my payments. No go. They told me the payments would not be put on hold.
I even had a letter from the training facility stating I would be on "student" status. However, the loan dep't did not recognize this as a school so for three months plus the time I had to wait for my first paycheck my account went into arrears, they hounded myself and my parents (since theirs was also a contact #), sent me to collection agencies, threatened, etc.
When I finished training I contacted them to try to work out arrangements so that I could catch up. No go. I was forced to pay three months back payments (at close to $700/month for all three loans - total borrowed $45,000 for four and a half years of university). In addition, I had to try to make those monthly payments on top. I felt as if I was in quicksand. I was grateful to have a job that payed better than most but for years previous I spent entire checks on student loans.
To finish I would add this - when I filed my taxes this year - I paid almost $5000.00 in interest alone. My principle balance has stayed almost the same as when I started. On the plus side, I only have to do this to 2016. Nothing to it, eh? |
| 343 | Dave | Jackson | A hostile student loan system has resulted in my becoming a completely unproductive member of society. Is this the way Canada wishes to invest in it's future? |
| 344 | Anonymous | Anonymous | I am all for this. |
| 345 | Emily | Fleming | School needs to be affordable for everyone! Facing student loans deters many people from returning to school. Please consider making these changes! |
| 346 | Ruth | Bruce | It's been ten years since I graduated and I am no close r to paying off my loan than I was then due to low wages and the very high interest rates. It has caused me a great deal of hardship, to the point that I regret having gone to school. |
| 347 | Lyndin | Daly | I just received my first student loan, which there were problems with from the beginning. Now that I have received it is fine, however, I have not yet graduated and experienced the process of having to pay it back. |
| 348 | Sharleen | Banning | If these changes were instated it would make life for so many students a little easier to bear. School is stressful enough without having to worry about the financial aspect of it. |
| 349 | Paul | Villamizar | Canadian student loans are a joke. As a student studying abroad everything is very difficult to get accomplished and they dont even give me anywhere near the amount I need. |
| 350 | Noel | Bissonnette | One intregated loan with one payment would be ideal. Rather than offering full interest relief where the borrower only has the option of no payments required or full payment, payment assistance should be offered. This would involve a range of payment assistance from 10 to 100% dependant on income, ideally net, not gross. Furthermore, the level of assisstance should also take into consideration where the borrower lives and works, as the cost of living in each part of Canada is not the same. Payment assistance should also be available to those who live and work outside of Canada
As a further note I'd like to express my displeasure and frustration in dealing with the BC Student Loan Service Bureau in particular. It is my opinion that BCSLSB employees are poorly trained and those answering enquiries know little about policies and procedures. I have in the past, when applying for Interest Relief been told to resubmit information 3 times each time being reassured by a Rep that there is nothing further that they need from me. As a result it took 2 months for BCSLSB to cease withdrawaling money from my account. I also discovered recently that someone within BCSLSB had changed my given name from Noel to Neil without my knowledge or consent. As the rep I spoke to claimed that this info was received from the Ministry of Education and not an error on BCSLSB's part I had to track down someone at the M of ED to verify my given name. The M of ED did in fact have my correct legal name on record. Therefore the error was BCSLSB's part. It should not be possible for anyone at BCSLSB to change a borrowers vitals such as Name, Date of Birth or Gender without consent and supporting documentation from the borrower. |
