To Whom It May Concern:
This is an open letter to student loan Nova Scotia advising them of the continuous failure they foist upon the students of Nova Scotia semester after semester, year after year.
In June 2009 I applied for a student loan, and after much rhetoric, struggle and tears, I was able to finally get your office to deposit funds into my account so I was able to continue with my education for that current semester. I jumped through every hoop you asked me too. I faxed and re-faxed documents that you had misplaced with confidential information on them which included my social insurance number, my date of birth, my child’s SIN and date of birth, all of my tax forms, etc. You asked me for my entire life on paper, I was happy to oblige and acquiesce to all of your demands and then you lost all of my information and asked me to be understanding. With the way the world works, how would any of you as people, as human beings, feel if all of your sensitive information was lost in a government office or otherwise? While people you don’t know and have no idea whether or not you can trust, have your personal, private and very sensitive information floating around in a room somewhere or worse. With identity theft and fraud as common place as it is, not one of you’re employees would appreciate it if where I work (I work with a credit reporting agency) if I left their SIN numbers and Dates of Birth on my desk unsecured for the mail man or anyone for that matter to come in and copy them down while I was away from my desk.
After everything was taken care of in September, I assumed that I would not have any further issues with Student Loan, as I had immediately submitted my pre-study report and assumed that it would be processed before January when the second semester tuition was due as you had almost 5 months to process and approve said report. However, again, you did not follow through with what you had promised, or even adhered to your policy. I don’t believe that I am asking something unreasonable from you; all I am asking is for someone in the office on Brunswick Street to do their job, just one person. I wasn’t asking for reformation of the entire office, or for anyone to be disciplined for their lack of common sense, or ability to do their job. I was asking for one person, just one, to do what they were hired to do, to complete a task that should have been completed 4 months ago. If, in my position as an Assistant to the President of the Credit Bureau I work for, was to drop the ball, not complete a task, or lose pertinent documentation on a client, I would be fired and perhaps charged with negligence if that information was leaked. Yet, with everyone I spoke with at your office, not one of you could accept responsibility for losing my documentation and most recently, leave my documents unprocessed to the point where I may or may not be respectively withdrawn from my second semester of classes in my second year of University.
I would like someone, anyone to take responsibility, so that when I have to explain to my child, my parents, grandparents and other loved ones why I am no longer able to complete my education and that I am now destined to live a life of mediocrity, that there is someone within your office that I can refer them too.
I have advised persons within your office that this isn’t my fault that I did everything that was asked of me and then some and they agreed, wholeheartedly, but where does that leave me? Where do I go from here? Do I just let SMU withdraw me? Student loan advised me that I am entitled to a loan and that I should remain in University to get a degree so they can get the money that they have already lent me back, but if people in the office aren’t doing their job, I don’t have any other option but to withdraw from classes. These are things that are out of my control. I cannot make someone else do their job.
—PISSED OFF AT STUDENT LOAN
This article appears in Jan 7-13, 2010.
You know what, you’re right. I remember being the son of a low income family who desperately needed student loans but couldn’t get any because the government alleged that my parents should be able to afford my tuition… yeah and live on KD and dirt. Meanwhile friends of mine with doctors and lawyers for parents were getting scholarships to go to school for free.
It’s just a bullshit world, period.
Scholarships are not the same as student loans. I know poor people who got scholarships too.
Also, since you are an adult when you go to university, your ability to get a loan shouldn’t hinge on your parent’s ability to pay for your education. It’s your debt and your responsibility. Bank loans and lines of credit can sometimes be better alternatives to student loans for some people and might be better for people with parents who “make too much money”, especially if those parents are willing to co-sign on the loans.
Well thanks for your genius insights, Miles. I guess going to university really DOES turn you into a know it all.
I know scholarships aren’t the same as student loans you arrogant dick. I was pointing out the bitter irony of the situation. As for “being an adult” and it not being your parent’s responsibility, tell that the the student loan people of 1991. Student loans are sometimes refused when they assess that a) even though an “adult” one is still a dependent of their parents and b) their parents ought to contribute X number of dollars toward your education costs. or at least they did back then.
When I state things that are obvious I am not trying to be insightful or arrogant. I assumed you knew the difference as well. I was just clarifying a point for further discussion. Making the connection between scholarships and parental income doesn’t, in my mind, reveal an irony or an injustice. Good students, regardless of their parent’s income, deserve to be rewarded for their good grades.
I am actually sympathetic to your other point about the student loan program and their “your parent’s make too much money” bullshit. My comments about being an adult were about the way I think things should run, not the way they are. Again, just putting my thoughts out for discussion, not trying to present them as fact and be arrogant about it.
Also, I was just offering suggestions on how some people can avoid the Student Loans program and still come up with the money they need for making it through a year or four of school.
Sorry you took my comments so personally.
Talk to student accounts at SMU, OP. If you explain that your loan is held up they’ll probably let you defer your payment until you get your loan. I got fucked over twice re: pre study report processing — I owed Acadia 4K and they let me defer my payment. I ended up paying them in February.
As well, I’ve found SMU to be quite good student accounts-wise, especially in comparison to MSVU. MSVU will kick you out if you don’t have your summer tuition paid for almost a month in advance (or have ANY outstanding balance — you could pay all your tuition except for 5 bucks and they’d cancel your registration on you), while SMU let me carry an outstanding balance for a month (I thought I was paid up for the summer, but I still owed about $200).
Don’t give up, OP. Talk to the university! And I find the best way to deal with NSSL office is to go in in person and bring my documents in. It’s faster because they put the date your stuff arrived in as that date (faxing can take a week for them to get the document!) and they judge waiting times on that date, and it’s a lot easier to deal with someone face-to-face than on the phone.
Good luck! (I’m still waiting for my NSSL disbursement and my grant from the federal government (which was supposed to be in my account last week) — I had to pay rent so I can’t afford my text books until those funds come in, which SUCKS).
I had my loan years ago, but the thing that to this day still mystifies me about the whole student loan boondoggle is this:
Last time I checked, it seemed that most school programs start sometime around September 1. (There are *some* exceptions, but most people think of Sept 1 as “back to school” time. It’s rarely THAT big of a surprise.)
And yet every year, thousands of students from all provinces are left high and dry waiting for disbursement of funds—something that one would think would be a simple, routine event upon approval of application.
But, alas, NO. EVERY YEAR, without fail, departments of student assistance run around in a frenzy of disorganization and incompetence. “Whaaa? School starts . . . NOW? Huh. I had no idea! So you need your money like . . . when?”
It is DISGRACEFUL that this should happen in a modern, technologically advanced nation which is, by the way SUPPOSED to be committed to REMOVING financial barriers to education.
It is the government, what do you expect ?
If it was a mortgage or a loan/line of crdeit the bank will send an employee to your place of abode, or you can go in to see them after 5 pm or maybe even 7.30 pm or on a Saturday.
A student loan is just as important, if not more, but because it is the government they only work Mon-Fri 9.30- 4.30.
Personally I think all banks should tell civil servants to come by during normal business hours, government business hours.
Dexter should hire a bunch of temps and have them work until 10 or 11pm; it ain’t rocket science.
Very well spoken. Sounds vaguely of ‘Atlas Shrugged’.
I believe that the world economy is quickly slipping down the shitter. I’d suggest you forsake your education for now and buy hard assets. But hey, that’s just me.
You can’t stop living your life because of ominous headlines. Good luck.
I agree, it’s completely ridiculous. I come from the states and just recently found out that my government approved grants aren’t accepted in Canadian schools…so I’m basically screwed sideways.
If your having so many problems go get a student line of credit. You have it so rough.
The point is that a gov’t student loan is a service that we (unless we are “rich”-ha, ha) are entitled to as tax-paying citizens.
There is an obligation to deliver this service to rightful recipients in an efficient and timely manner, and to do so with fairness and professionalism.
Just because someone is “only” (???) a student does not mean they deserve to be treated like crap.
Access to education is what makes the difference between living in a first-world country and a third-world country.
I say go to the feds and complain.
Enough said…Some people don’t have the luxery of good credit…or good enough credit to get a student line of credit…and student loan is their only option.
fu-ns-sl – “Luxery of good credit?” haha If people have bad credit it is no else fault but their own. For what ever reasons.
Also if a person is having soo many problems then they should go to the federal government and complain so something IS done, they are the ones who put the program in place.
I feel for you OP. I got screwed over a couple times by student loans, particularly when they decided they overpaid me and I had to take a cut in loans in second semester. I worked full time for most of university and part time in community college. I will say this: although I was pissed off when student loans wouldn’t give me as much money as I needed because my parents made too much (which is bull, one parent worked full time and the other part time pretty much my entire life just to get by) I will say I wouldn’t want to be paying back any more than I already am. It would have been beneficial to not have a line of credit (in my last year of school, I had to take out an additional $2,000 on my line of credit just so I would have enough money to pay the interest on it throughout the year) but the banks are more forgiving and better at answering questions and giving alternatives when it comes to paying loans back. In short, student loans suck, the appear to always have sucked, and I’m not sure what difference complaining makes because it appears as though people have been doing it for years.
SO glad to be rid of those fuckers…
Every year it’s more bullshit and hoops to jump through, I can’t imagine what they have you doing now.
Half way through my debacle with them they switched from post office to bank directly… or vice-versa… and talk about a shit storm.
no-one knew where to go for anything…
ug, now if only I can win the lotto to pay them all back before I retire…
@Miles: Although I agree with what you say about consideration of getting a line of credit the Op mentioned having a child. This increases the amount of money you receive, but you are also able to get bursaries which wouldn’t be possible through a line of credit.
Op: you talk about the folk down at the loan office having consequences for their actions, but how many times have you been able to name the person who gave you false information or wasn’t helpful etc. After having countless issues with the process of getting a student loan I have learned that when I call or talk to someone from the office, the first step is getting their name. The people you are talking to over the phone don’t care about you, and if you don’t know who they are and they fuck up, there is nothing you can do. I assure you that you will have a much faster and better response to issues when you repeat their name back to them later in the conversation when they are not being as helpful. Also, document the information they give you and when they gave it to you. As soon as shit goes sideways contact a financial advisor or supervisor, don’t waste your time with the people getting paid low income to listen to you complain all day.
Finally: do what PK said and find out about financial aid that may be available through your school.
@Enough said: You have to have credit to get lines of credits..period. I have been in school for I awhile now, I have always paid shit back on time..but I guarantee I wouldn’t be able to get a line of credit without a co-signer. I’m not a bad person because I haven’t gotten myself in debt by getting countless credit cards to begin building my credit up. As well, I HAVE gone to the minister of education with my concerns about the student loan process…it doesn’t help.
Ok that’s just DUMB, Dino.
Grants = money, and last time I checked universities accepted money!
Did they say WHY they won’t accept your grants? That’s sooo annoying 🙁
Kitty – Canadian schools will accept American grants, but our government refuses (for whatever screwy reason) to transfer the funds over, or something to that effect. Yes, please kill me now!
my bad, got the info wrong.
@1fallingangels1 – Not the Minister of Education the federal government that puts the Student Loans and guildlines in place. Go to the very top. Sometimes you have to be heard, and everyone else just pushes you aside. Make more noise. Go to the paper
Take some advice from a ‘student loan vet’, there is no such entity as ‘student loans’. So you only make yourself sound like a moron when you refer to these people as ‘student loans’, and you sound like a bumbling hick. There are at minimum 2 different people that you are blanketing as ‘student loans’ – the people at the Student Assistance office on Brunswick St., and the people who you pay your loans back to in the end [your federal & provincial to two different places]. One hands out the money & the other gets it back. How do I know this? Because someone at the Student Assistance office was kind enough to explain this to me when I was frustrated with the system and ready to pull out my own hair. (And I was also stuck in the switch-over from the banks to the government lenders. So, really don’t talk to me about a MESS).
I have student loans. Lots. So here’s a tip – take responsibility for your own shit. If you’re going to complain like you just did, I want to see dates, names, times, etc. Otherwise – YOU are the moron for not covering your own ass & doing your own homework on the loans that you are so desperately clawing for. So YES, this is within your control, perma-victim.
ALSO, I’m not sure what you guys who bitched about this are doing, but I certainly had MY money in hand in September & January each year – why?? Because it’s the only goddamn way I could have afforded University. Know what that means? I MADE SURE I HAD ALL MY SHIT IN ORDER, and as such, didn’t LET my situation get to where yours is. If that meant getting my stuff in as early as possible & calling weekly to follow the progress of my MAIN source of funding for school, then that’s what it meant. You can’t sit in a puddle of your own tears & be a baby about it. Do you think that changes anything?? No, so deal with it and learn from it like smart people do.
If you don’t know what you’re starting the school year with [financially] each year, you are too dumb to go to school. Do you go into the grocery store without knowing how you’re going to pay for the food when you get it to the cashier? And if you don’t figure it out by the time she is done ringing it through, do you shit on HER head for kicking you out of the line because you’re unorganized & irresponsible? Make a plan dumbass.
Oh, and one more thing. Who the F are you to state that those who don’t have a University education are living a life of mediocrity? Arrogant, naive ass.
to: ‘pissed off at student loan’ …..
quit your whining and complaining why don’t cha!
get your life in order and that includes your finances too!…. look– if you want sympathy, look in the dictionary between SHIT and SYPHILLIS….
I kind of agree with what YCMFWHTS is saying. When I send my application in I usually wait about two weeks or so and I call weekly to make sure everything’s ok. A lot of the problems I’ve had were only found because I called and found out something unexpected, and if I had’ve waited for notification from them I would’ve been up shit creek.
Also, I stick by what I say about going to their office when you have to bring in documents. If you’re able to it’s the best way to go. That way you can make sure they received it, and the clerk at the front desk will enter in your account right there that you brought the documents in and they were received. When you mail or fax anything in you’re taking your life into your hands because they received a MASSIVE amount of documents every day by both methods.
You have to be VERY proactive. I had my provincial loan go into crown collections because RBC lost my schedule A a couple years back, and I had no proof I brought the form in to begin with since they took it. Ever since then I’ve made sure I got a photocopy with bank signatures on it to prove it. I was lucky and ended up getting my loan back into good standing because they were sending notification to my address, but they failed to put an apartment number on it and the notifications were being returned to them — so I had no idea my loans had been put into repayment. RBC’s student loan centre people (who I had called and dealt with for months and they were always rude and would almost take pleasure in telling me there was no way they would take back my loan from crown collections) were pretty ticked when the gov’t made them take the loan back (I called just to gloat — I admit it. heh).
Oh well.
I found out a few days ago that CSL won’t dispense my $1000 grant until they find out if my provincial loans are in good standing and have put a restriction on my file, which is bullshit because all my loans are in good standing and academically I’m in good standing and not on probation…anyway, it’s still not in my account (it was supposed to go in on Jan 4th), so I’ve been calling every day to find out wtf’s up and they’re still “waiting” for confirmation that I’m not a deadbeat on my NS loans….that’s pretty frustrating, but I have my NS loan now so I’m alright.
Don’t trust anyone to do you any favours and don’t even trust that those responsible for the admin for government loans will even do their job correctly — most times you have to do their jobs for them and make sure the wheels are, and keep staying in motion.
I was once a student relying on Student Loans ‘Many’ years ago and had not one issue with the Student Assistance office. They requested documents and I sent them to the office in plenty of time to get my funding. From a family with no other source of income my only option was to fund my education with Student Loans and I am very appreciative of the program. Thankfully I completed my education and paid back my loans in full with no issues.
I have personally known workers that worked in that office and have gone over and above to help students finance their education. Many workers put in crazy amounts of overtime every summer to make sure students can rest easy and have money to attend school in September. Oh and a little FYI the office in Halifax does not deposit funds into your account its called the National Student Loan Service Centre in Ontario. Maybe next time you should read all the information that is sent out in the envelope with your loan document. Considering your trying to obtain higher education you should go over and above and READ information that is sent out.
I am not saying that everyone’s experience with Loans is glorious but most times they bring it on themselves. No need to bitch and complain about not getting a loan considering the office is following rules that have been set by the Federal Government. Would you expect to walk into a car dealership and find out you did not receive financing and expect them to hand you the keys… HELL NO! Every company and organization have rules in place that must be adhered to or would you prefer that they break rules and get fired but at least you can finish your education.
Maybe when the students get into the real world of working jobs where there are rules in place they will see that everyone must follow some policy and procedure!
It is unfortunate if you lost documents but it happens. The best thing to do is be proactive and follow up with it. I know in my office when someone faxes something in I ask them to call later in the week to make sure it was received.. Its just a security measure that I also use when I fax anything anywhere.
Another point I would like to add is that anyone who works in that office have nerves of steel because I could not handle the kind of BS on a daily basis! From students who think they are ENTITLED to the funding…Let me point out that I am a tax payer and I am glad that there are rules in place on how this money is loaned out. Don’t complain about it being a loan and its going to be paid back because that does not happen all the time (not saying that you are one of the statistics who will default but the proof is out there that it happens)
that should be MORE than enough information for you OP.
Get your shit together,
trust no-one,
they’re all fuckers,
document everything,
and heckle like hell until someone listens and puts a stamp on your papers.
“Heckle”? As in “Boo! Hisss! You Suck! Get off the stage!” ????
Sounds kind of fun, but are we allowed to heckle people if their job isn’t, strictly speaking, stand-up comedy?