So, I have read a bunch of scary reports on DCS. So much that I began to worry because I literally just entered into a Rehabilitation Program with them. Like so many others on here, I went to school many years ago and had my loan bought up by American Student Assistance when I failed to set up payments. Again, like so many others I worked my tail off trying to get by in this crappy economy and raising 4 kids and I couldn't fit my student loan into my budget so I applied for Hardship Deferment and once time ran out on that, it went back to active status.
I lost my job last fall and I have been on unemployment and state assistance. I tried to apply for Unemployment Deferment but the people I was working with before DCS were extremely incompetent and kept needing some other form of documentation. Eventually, time ran out on that as well so then my loan went into full-on default and that's when DCS took center stage. Literally. These people are extremely aggressive. I wouldn't say they were rude unlike other people. Maybe it's all about what you put out there, but as long as you are willing to admit that you owe the money and that you want to get back on track, they will work with you. The only complaint I have is that they will call everyone you know to get a hold of you and they rarely leave messages which seems unprofessional. I did have one representative assigned to my case that was not as clear and helpful as the one I recently worked with. It's funny because I have read unpleasant reports on this particular person. But she was pleasant with me and I have to admit I wasn't always in the mood to talk to her.
Unfortunately, I did have to send in documentation (which is always a pain the @ss) but once they received it all, I was placed into Hardship Review. They have a manager go over how much you can afford each month and match it up to what you bring home and you go from there. My last quote before hardship was $174 a month. You might as well ask for the whole $18k loan because I can't afford that. Like a lot of people, we live paycheck to paycheck and sometimes that doesn't quite stretch far enough. So they approved me for less than half that amount. As long as I make 9 consecutive payments, my loan will be removed from default status and I can even borrow again or apply for deferment as well.
I agree that the powers that be in Washington need to take another long and hard look at how student loans are being handled. And debt recovery companies (aka collection agencies) need to have a strict hiring guideline to adhere to. I have worked at a call center before and these are extremely stressful environments. These people have to deal with problems everyday. They have to listen to the dreadful, heartbroken, financially hurting people of America and this obviously has an undesirable effect on the employees.
I wish the rest of you good luck in your repayment plans and I will update if I get the faintest whiff of wrongdoing by DCS.
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