Northwest Education Loan Association Applying for a student loan? Read this first Seattle Washington

I got my loan in 1996. Through no real fault of my own, I was homeless and unemployed w/children. When I did get back on my feet in 1997, I found and contacted NELA about making payments on my loan. I was later contacted at work by OSI collections. We agreed to a payment plan that would put me in a rehabilitated status and reduce my payments to a manageable level. I only agreed after being assured by NELA that they would, in fact, honor the agreement reached.

Thirteen monthly payments of $180.00 each later, I personally contacted John Clinton (at NELA)to let them know that I had moved and to give them my current address so that the rehabilitation papers could be sent to me. I was informed that they could not honor the rehabilitation agreement as they were no longer using this company and that there were, in fact, "thousands of people like you with the same problem". By this time, I had required two surgeries which necessitated a complete job change at a much lower rate of pay.

Approx. one year ago, I started getting weird calls from some company called Windham Professionals. I assumed it was to sell me real estate. Then I got some notices from these people demanding full payment.

In August, NELA was sent the full principal amount due them with a note that stated this check was to be used towards the principal amount only, my intention being to make payments on the interest as I refused to pay for their hiring another collection agency for no good reason. Instead, I have found out through a really threatening letter from Windham about seizing bank accounts, cars, etc..., that NELA cashed the check, then paid Windham their collection fees, then the interest, and whatever was left went to the principal.

I have continually challenged their right to take it to a collection agency after I had made the rehabilitation payments that I was assured they would honor. I have continually challenged their right to refuse to honor an agreement made by their representative. NELA refuses to talk to me anymore and the last time I contacted them asking to speak to a supervisor, I was told, "My supervisor will not take the time to talk to you." . I was refused even learning the supervisors name or any avenue in which I could formally dispute all this. Any ideas?

Carol
Seattle, Washington
U.S.A.