Here… Take My Money, All of it.

The financial burden of student loans on the lives of young professionals is well documented.   I’ve been on my personal repayment journey for eight years now.

I have been fortunate to have had the ability to make timely payments throughout, and this has improved my credit score substantially.

However, this wasn’t always the story.  Six months after graduation, my mailbox was stuffed full of payment due notices.  The letters came from ACS, Nelnet, FedLoan, and Brazos.

I requested electronic notifications, and began making payments every month.  It didn’t take long to get a letter of 30 days delinquency from a new company-University Accounting Services (UAS).  I was infuriated, I thought everything was taken care of.

What. In. The. World. Was. Going. On???   

I overlooked notices from UAS under the mountain of loan servicer paperwork.  I threw up my hands and wanted to give up already.  Out of curiosity I checked my credit score and sure enough, UAS tacked on a “missed payment” notification onto my credit report.

Thankfully, I was able to get the servicer’s contact information.  To my surprise, UAS was collecting the debt on behalf of my alma mater Abilene Christian University.  I own my mistake of falling behind on the student loan payment.  ACU regularly makes donation calls, a courtesy call regarding this debt would’ve been awesome. HaHa.  Well… as I said before, this was my mistake not ACU’s. I’m STILL a little salty to this day.

So Here’s What I’ve Learned

1. Sort and organize mail from student loan servicers.
2. Check your credit report regularly.
3. Don’t be so hard on yourself, we aren’t perfect.

Below is an update on my student loan debt.  Until next time everyone, stay strong, fight on, and have no debt but love! Peace and blessings.