In 1993, I took out $13K in student loans to attend a private (for profit) college. I did not complete the degree program, as I left school because I had to take full time employment and couldn’t keep up with the studies. I consolidated the loans under Sallie Mae around 1996. Over the years, I have made payments off & on, as I have been able. Jobs have come and gone. I took the maximum number of forbearances. I defaulted on the loan when I lost my house in 2008. They garnished my wages for one year, and “rehabilitated” the loan.

Over the years, the loan has ballooned to $30K. I am not exactly sure how this has happened. I’m aware that the interest rates went way up along the way, and there were charges during period of forbearance. I am sure that over the course of 20 years, I have paid the original $13K - but somehow, I am now saddled with $30K and I cannot meet the minimum payments that they’re asking now.

The school no longer exists! I cannot even get a transcript for the coursework I completed. I feel completely ripped off. It’s like I am paying and paying for something that I didn’t even get, the debt keeps growing, and there is no end in sight.

What can be done? Do I have any options for discharging this debt before I go to my grave?

Thank you for you site & thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

Cheryl