Dear Editor,
The Students' Loan Bureau (SLB) has the task of providing thousands of students with financial assistance each year so that people, like myself, who do not have the financial resources can pursue higher education.
Upon completing my studies, the SLB wrote (via e-mail) advising that, as of January 2013, I should begin the process of repayment. Well aware that this is standard, I was glad I could begin covering my loan.
After days of calling the SLB --everyone can attest that this is a daunting challenge -- I finally got through to a representative who I asked some rather vital questions as it relates to repayment; such as, how often they produce statements and is there a system in place where persons can check the status of their loans for themselves. The answer to the first was 6 months; a statement would be e-mailed to me every 6 months. The answer to the latter was no, you have to rely on the statements issued.
Although technology is the modern-day tool for everything, one cannot possibly rely on e-mails in order to ensure repayment or to even to communicate important information. The SLB, after being advised of my current email address, which is (about 4 years old) still had my old e-mail on file, and thus was sending information to that address. The representative noted that the cost of paper is too expensive. Are they serious about repayment?
After making a request for a statement to be issued every three months and not the standard six months. To date I have received neither. Thus it makes you wonder, why pay if you don't get the sense that you need to. What does it take to generate a statement every 6 months? I'm sure it is far less than generating colorful ads that pertain to delinquency.
The SLB must put the same energy into repayment as it does in loan processing. Enough effort is not being made to collect the Government's money. Nor is there any effort being made to report on whatever funds they collect. I have called the SLB approximately 34 times in the last 3 weeks, but to no avail. And don't even mention going to their office, as that's even worse.
I believe in what the SLB has to offer and have encouraged many of my friends to go that direction, as that's the only way out for us. But, be serious SLB!
Shannon Guthrie
shannonguthrie@live.com
SLB not serious about loan repayment
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The Students' Loan Bureau (SLB) has the task of providing thousands of students with financial assistance each year so that people, like myself, who do not have the financial resources can pursue higher education.
Upon completing my studies, the SLB wrote (via e-mail) advising that, as of January 2013, I should begin the process of repayment. Well aware that this is standard, I was glad I could begin covering my loan.
After days of calling the SLB --everyone can attest that this is a daunting challenge -- I finally got through to a representative who I asked some rather vital questions as it relates to repayment; such as, how often they produce statements and is there a system in place where persons can check the status of their loans for themselves. The answer to the first was 6 months; a statement would be e-mailed to me every 6 months. The answer to the latter was no, you have to rely on the statements issued.
Although technology is the modern-day tool for everything, one cannot possibly rely on e-mails in order to ensure repayment or to even to communicate important information. The SLB, after being advised of my current email address, which is (about 4 years old) still had my old e-mail on file, and thus was sending information to that address. The representative noted that the cost of paper is too expensive. Are they serious about repayment?
After making a request for a statement to be issued every three months and not the standard six months. To date I have received neither. Thus it makes you wonder, why pay if you don't get the sense that you need to. What does it take to generate a statement every 6 months? I'm sure it is far less than generating colorful ads that pertain to delinquency.
The SLB must put the same energy into repayment as it does in loan processing. Enough effort is not being made to collect the Government's money. Nor is there any effort being made to report on whatever funds they collect. I have called the SLB approximately 34 times in the last 3 weeks, but to no avail. And don't even mention going to their office, as that's even worse.
I believe in what the SLB has to offer and have encouraged many of my friends to go that direction, as that's the only way out for us. But, be serious SLB!
Shannon Guthrie
shannonguthrie@live.com
SLB not serious about loan repayment
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