Question:
Does anyone out there have any ideas for me as I have run out of ways I can pay back my student loan?

Answer:
I could hardly even begin to comment on the variety of sad stories presented in your post, so to offer some input toward the singular question you seem to be asking; 'is there anything to be done regarding student loan payments, etc..', the answer is yes. First off, both the Federal and Provincial student loan programs have programs which, based upon the individual circumstances of people, allow students/past students an 'interest free' period, and to varying lengths of terms will even authorize no payment on balance either while people are getting on their feet after school, suffering from a bad experience, etc So the first answer is to go back to DC's student services office, tell them the facts (better to write them down in point form for ease of comprehension, with sequence of events, etc ), and they'll tell you what to say to the banks/student loan people, etc

They'll also provide any copies of records if needed in the process. If, however, your situation has gone beyond that point and your only current option is to deal with haring collections agencies Your best bet is to first understand the laws underwhich such companies and their representatives are bound to operate . I've played the role of a 'debt collector' once years ago, and it's incredible how easy it is to fall into the trap of taking the work personally. For every decent person who simply got into debt like the rest of us, there's that creep who deliberately wrote bad cheques, ran out on his family, etc Anyways, the point is that most of those debt collectors really are just regular people, but the majority of their income (depending on the company's set up) is based on a percentage of how much they can bring in from 'deadbeats' (and yes, that's what they call debtors off the telephone at least!<sigh>) - so what happens to a regular person who gets hared all day from the creeps just in order to make a decent buck?

They get into power trips over other creditors First rule in dealing with debt collectors is to realize that they're just doing a job - however poorly and hurtfully, and however much they seem to be taking your debt as something personal between the two of you! Realizing this, you move quickly into understanding that they aren't the problem. The company is the one training them this way, and if it's not one person on the phone with you, it will simply be another. So the second rule is to understand what YOUR rights are, because debtors have an incredible amount of rights! Debtors have an obligation to pay their debts, they do not have an obligation to suffer humiliation, harment, or insult.

Look it up in the blue pages and you'll find the number of the gov't office to call, a worker there will explain the rest of your rights, how to followup - if you choose- with the debt collection agency, etc. And finally, the next best step - if your circumstances are that bad - is to go to your MLA and MP's office, again with written documentation, copies of proof, etc Lay your case out, ask for help, and you'll probably get someone to listen long enough to point you in the right direction, etc You might even get lucky enough that the Student Loans program(s) will turn your loans into grants (it's magical, I'm certain), and effectly say "you tried, you can't pay back, you've suffered enough, and this isn't helping anyone, so go home free". They apparently do it all the time for kids who graduate from social studies but somehow can't land a practical job! A final note about debt collectors? A business friend once said to me that when he nearly went broke and had everyone calling, he was honest, up front about the circumstances, promised to pay when the circumstances changed. Period. If there was a followup harassment call after the initial explaination? He'd hang up the telephone.

A final note about debt itself - debts legally obtained/incured (e.g. not a result of fraud, etc ) do not a criminal make. The worst that any debt collection agency can do is file a payment order in court. You get served, both parties show up (you don't need a lawyer), the judge forces both parties into a 'negotiation' session to debate ability to pay, etc.. and typically a good result is obtained if the debtor is honest about their income and the attorney/agent acting on behalf of the creditor believes the debtor then the two parties go back to the judge, say they've reached an agreement, and a payment order is given to reflect the deal made. If there's a disagreement (e.g. creditor's agent doesn't believe income), they'll have to prove their case while the debtor will have to prove they only have X amount. Either way, it's embaring I'm certain - but when you look around and realize how many other people are waiting their turn for the judge well, frankly it is sometimes a fact of life that we have debts and have to deal with them. So we deal with them. Be honest, be frank, be clear and concise, and it's incredible how easily a balance can be found between the ability to pay a debt and the payment of that debt.