Introduce yourself

Introduce yourself
#55

Hi all!

My name’s Dave Dixon. I’m a 36 year old graduate student currently in the philosophy MA program at Cal State, Los Angeles. I plan on moving onwards to a PhD in philosophy and, if successful, it will be the fourth stop on my educational journey: from community college, to UCLA, and now Cal State, L.A… In the process, I’ve accumulated a little over $35,000 in student loan debt. Because of my relative poverty, I’ve never paid a cent on my loans but the principal continues steadily growing from interest. I face the near-term prospect, now, of making student loan payments from other student loans :disappointed:

Whereas so far I’ve been okay, I know that so, so many haven’t been as lucky. I knew someone years ago, an immigrant from Nigeria, living paycheck to paycheck with over $100,000 in debt, and constantly harassed by people at DOE trying to collect something, anything, from them. I remember the constant fear they felt and moments of anxiety so intense it brought them to tears. This person came to the United States to pursue becoming a doctor but, instead, has lived for more than a decade as prey to the harm that the federal government insists they bear, and the ever-present threat of falling into homelessness. The fact that the US Government has consistently been among the most profitable organizations in the nation in the last decade because of student debt collection boils my blood. That it should profit from the support its own citizens need in order to secure both what has become, in many places, an economic necessity and the desire—that it promotes!—for education is so absurdly immoral that it’s painful just to think about.

I heard of the Debt Collective years ago but have been reluctant to get involved. This reluctance comes from a skepticism toward my own political judgement that I developed after spending 7 years in a political cult (the LaRouche movement). However, I suspect that like most of you, though there’s been more success recently in a politics open to structural financial reforms like student debt cancellation, the inertia of institutional habits and ideology has become frustratingly demoralizing on a very personal level. I felt I could not longer refrain from joining Debt Collective. I’m happy to be a member and contribute what I can to future efforts.

I wish you all–us all–the best of luck in this insane world.

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#57

Hello, my name is Narise Connor I live in upstate New York. I’ve been doing income based repayment since I graduated in 2018, my payments have always been at $0, but the interest has really piled up. My intention is not to pay! When it comes to action, my skill set lies in food- foraging, farming, and preserving. I’m always working on growing that skill set, so that I can help fellow strikers with food security.

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#58

Hi Narise! I am also in Upstate NY. I am between Ithaca and Binghamton- where are you located?

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#59

Hi everyone! My name is Jamie. I live in upstate NY. I have LOTS of student loan debt (like $150,000 ish), mostly from 2 graduate programs at two different schools (one being an expensive private school). I am a social worker and so this type of coalition building is something I am very passionate about and value deeply. I am excited about getting involved.

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#60

Hello, I’m Terry Ellsworth and am an electronics technician out of Virginia Beach. I was transferred from DC to Virginia in 2013, and my wife was unable to get unemployment while she was pregnant with our son (Maryland said we had to go to Virginia, Virginia said we had to go to Maryland). We used the VA loan to buy a house- however, my pay wound up dropping to $800 a month, and it took a lot of time fighting with PSD to get my pay fixed. With problems with our house, being one-income (my wife is a teacher, and for two years, she was home with our son), we wiped out our savings and investments and wound up in some $60,000 in credit card debt and $40,000 in home improvement debt. We’re paying it down, but it feels like one step forward, two steps back, and it makes it hard to save.
My wife has $18,000 in student loan debt, and I have $5000 left. Hers is public, mine is through Sallie Mae. (PSLF only did $5000 of my wife’s student loan)
We tried the Dave Ramsey method (which is especially unrealistic, and I am opposed to tithing, which he so insists on), and other methods to bring it down, but honestly, after all we’ve been through (and going through), it would be nice to be debt-free somehow, and any help would be nice.
Also, once we’re debt-free, I’d love to help others become free of debt as well, and work towards initiatives to help people through hard times without being forced into a bank- including reforming banks and lenders to not be predatory.

#61

Growing up my parents went through bankruptcy and foreclosure/shortsale of their home.

I graduated college with $55k in student loans and then consumer debt getting me over $100k in debt total. Car, motorcycle, credit cards.

I paid off all the debt except for the student loans. I paid on student loans for 13 years until getting PSLF a few months ago. Now my wife and I have just our mortgage debt.

Getting my forgiveness to go through was a struggle and I got Business Insider to do a story about it.

I just joined the debt collective and hope to participate in getting student loans forgiven for all.

From medical bankruptcy, medical billing and insurance BS, student loans, and other debt issues, all areas of my life have been shaped by our screwed up system.

#62

hi @narise.connor , hi @jamiebercaw! i’m also in NY state (ithaca) and seeking fellow believers in debt abolition & free college for all. i’m somewhere around $200k in debt, I’m not really clear on the exact number because it’s absolute bonkers to me and i’m choosing to resist giving navient anymore of my time. this community is super empowering and i’d love to connect with people in my area to resist this injustice together.

#63

Hi, I’m Beth.
About 30K in private loans (was an unconscionable 12% interest at one point before refinancing) plus about 25K in gov’t subsidized loans, all for a private undergrad college. I work at a nonprofit since graduating and have been hoping there will be a restart in loan forgiveness for nonprofit workers but I’m not hopefull. I’m here to help advocate for forgiveness for all in the US.

#64

Hi, my name is Arsalan Kouser, and I am from South Carolina. I graduated grad school with quite a bit of debt. I recently moved near the twin cities of Minnesota and I am nervous for loan repayments to begin again.

Any other people located in Minnesota?

#65

Hi there! My name is Raquel and I am currently in LA and planning on moving back to the SF Bay Area. I have old student loans from undergraduate studies that are now 17 years old. So happy that this kind of union exists. I have been a part of labor unions before and have learned so much and am grateful if what is possible with this kind of grassroots organizing. Looking forward to connecting with others in SoCal, NorCal or California frankly. I am so ready to say goodbye to all student loan debts for all present and future generations. Glad to be here!

#66

Hi,

My name is Michael and I live in the Hudson Valley in New York. For years I worked at a book store before transitioning to construction work. I currently work odd jobs as a carpenter as I search for a full time job with a company that suits me. Or find work in another field. I haven’t had the most luck in that search.

I graduated from college in 2013 with a chunk of debt and have went through various repayment plans (full payment, income based, deferred). Once COVID hit, I took the chance to stop paying it back and begin saving money for the first time as an adult.

In the past, I have spent time knocking on doors for various candidates and progressive causes and really miss those conversations and interactions. I’m searching for a way to advocate for debt relief in my area either remotely or by doing some kind of COVID safe canvasing. I really am eager to lend a hand any way I can as I have more free time lately. If anyone knows a working group in or near Dutchess/Ulster county, by all means let me know.

Learning and working with others to lift that shadow of debt off our backs as apart of broader emancipatory mission for everyone is why I have joined this collective. Hopefully, I can get plugged in here and help out in some small way.

Thanks so much,
-M

#67

Hello! My name is Joe. I am a full time musician, and manage an educational youth development program using music to build critical thinking and social skills in under-resourced neighborhoods. I’ve worked at a 501©3 for over 10 years but still do not qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. I’m tired of dealing with this and have decided not to pay my federal loans back ever. I want to participate in an organized strike with millions of other people in similar situations. I invested in my education, spend thousands of dollars, and have given back to my community more than I ever imagined. This student loan problem is bigger than me, and i’m ready to move on from it. Let’s get this done together.

#68

Hey everyone, my name is Elias, I’m transgender and have been having a financially difficult time the last few years. The cost of living in Los Angeles and medical costs put me into severe credit card debt. I am now being sued by JP Morgan Chase bank after my debt went to collections. With everything going on right now I am very stressed and am way out of my depth here and could really use some help.

#69

Hello. I’m Brian from NJ.

I graduated with a BS in Sociology with a concentration in Inequality and Social Justice. My debt burden stands at around $63k.

I worked for the American Red Cross before the site shut down. I’m hoping to fill out my PSFL waiver, but not sure if the time I worked there qualifies for the program.

I’m pleased to be here and meet anyone. Any help and information is appreciated.

B

#70

Hello, my name is Lillie Jordan and I need support getting my student loans forgiven. I keep running into a wall with Navient and this new loan servicer Modela. I attended both Heald College and DeVry University both false promises and faultuate schools and they are both on the list. How do I get started. I have been paying Naviet faithfully and they will not remove a late payment from Sallie Mae which I was not late, but that’s a whole other story. I just want justice and both loans forgiven. Please help. My email address is: Lillie.Jordan@kp.org.

#71

Hello…i don’t see any new postings. Is this still active?

I was in a low paying job that I was able to get using my bachelor’s of science in marine science. I had no debt.

I went back to school to get my Master’s so I could get a better paying job. I accumulated $37,000 in debt. I was sure I could pay that back with a good job. I didn’t know that this is a field you get into based on WHO you know, not WHAT you know.

I’ve been unable to get a full time job that would allow me to make student, as well as normal, living payments.

I currently have a 10% interest rate, $250,000 in debt, can’t even make the interest payments and will never be able to pay this off.

I read that in FL if you don’t have any contact with the lender for 7 years, the loan is discharged.

Does anyone know of this or any other helpful strategy?
Lisa

#72

To Davidtokeefe

How did you get forgiveness?
Lisa

#73

Hi, my mother and I have so much student loan debt. We live in NYC. I’m in my 40s and my mom is in her 70s. I’m want to focus on her first, because it’s some sort of twisted thing with her own loans from the 80s, a parent plus loan for my brother and then consolidating them. And it’s been long enough for pete’s sake.
So I’m basically looking for anyone who can help us untangle the whole thing, she’s been paying hundreds a month for years and it has never budged. But we can’t find out anything, for some reason. Her social security and pension is her only income now. I just want to get rid of this for her, it’s just beyond the pale how much they’ve taken. And it’s been DECADES.

What should I do first? Is there anyone who can help get some answers at least? Thank you so much, what an incredible group!

#74

Hi, my name is Mike Ciccone. I have $42,000 in student loan debt from my Bachelors Degree in Geology, conferred in 2003, as well as my attempts at a Masters Degree. My Bachelors Degree was from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, now known as the Edinboro Campus of Pennsylvania Western University, after the consolidation of some of our state colleges and universities. I am currently on an income based repayment plan, but even the low monthly payments of around $100 per month are too much for me. I have been unable to find consistent employment as a Geologist in Pennsylvania or elsewhere for nearly 20 years. Our state, technically The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires a person to have 5 years of work experience from 3 licensed professional geologists to sit for the Professional Geologist licensure exam, also known as the ASBOG. Although I have a currently working Licensed Professional Geologist in Pennsylvania who is willing to vouch for almost 3 years of experience, other persons who I would like to use for references, either are retired, have passed away, or just don’t respond when I have attempted to contact them for the exam. People who are Licensed professional geologists that I have worked with or for, who hold licenses in other states do not count toward the 3 people necessary to take the exam in PA. Unlicensed Geologists practicing in states that do not have licensure for Geologists also do not count. To become a Geologist in a state where a license is not required usually requires one to have been licensed in a state that has licensure, etc. I figured this out in 2012 and took the Geologist in Training exam. I was the 15th person in Pennsylvania to take the GIT, as it is called. Unfortunately, I have been unable to resume working as a Geologist since before COVID. I left a job with the Commonwealth of PA due to an excessive commute, diagnosis of 2 mental health conditions, and workplace bullying. I also realized that I should not work in an office, and need to work outdoors. My love of the outdoors and travel is the reason why I choose to study Geology in the first place. Since I have been unable to find work as a Geologist, I have taken other work. I now work at a Target store, making $15.93 an hour. Even with overtime, I have not made over $40,000 per year in 3 years. I am unhappy at my present job, and unable to pay my bills, which include car payments, car insurance, TV/ Internet, and Student loans. I also pay my mom $200 per month in rent, as I cannot earn enough to live on my own. Target offers free education, but because I am in so much debt I am not able to partake in it. I would have to also be earning more than I am earning now, while obtaining education, and why isn’t the education I have already spent 6 years of my life on worth anything? I want to travel and be outdoors. Sitting in front of a computer for hours every day horrifies me. I do not qualify for the $10,000 Joe Biden Loan Forgiveness program because my student loans are with a loan servicing company and not the Federal Government. My loans are with Aspire and the interest rate is 2.875%. You are not going to find an interest rate that low anywhere. I would have needed to have refinanced my loans to be direct loans at some date before Joe Biden announced the loan forgiveness program. How would I have been able to know what the president was going to do ahead of time? Any refinancing I do in 2022 will result in significantly higher interest rates (more than double or triple what my interest rate is with Aspire), thus causing the amount of interest I accrue each month to be more than what is accruing now, even if I did qualify for and receive $10,000 loan forgiveness. Any increase in actual interest accrual would result in a higher monthly payment, and how is that going to help me, when I already can’t pay the $100 a month (all interest) that I need to be paying right now? I still owe 98% of the principle of my student loans, which were consolidated in 2005. Since I live with my mom, I have to follow here rules which are restrictive for a 42 year old. Basically, a girlfriend, marriage, etc. and having kids are all stopped until I can afford rent of my own place.

Mike Ciccone

#75

Hello everyone my name is Chad. I am the Rural Organizer for Common Defense in Arizona. I am a disabled combat veteran that served in the United States Navy from 2000 to 2006. I first lost a home to foreclosure in the housing crash of 2008 when we had just began a new family after I returned home from Iraq. The triplets were 3 and we had a newborn. We never really got back on our feet after losing that property and have been housing insecure ever since then. We are unfortunately divorced, and I have a 2/2 apartment now, but I am within 30 days of eviction after accidentally letting the deferment I was given go into default while I was waiting for the county to get back to me about assistance. I also have about ~$30,000 in credit card debt which accrued over the last 3 years mostly from helping to keep the kids and I fed. I owe $15k to this property management co. to bring my rent current. I hope you all have an eviction toolkit for AZ, if not I anxiously await one.