Greetings,

I am a teacher who has been working over sixteen years in Teacher Loan Forgiveness eligible schools. Unfortunately, I had an outstanding loan prior to Oct. 1, 1998. I have thus been denied Forgiveness twice. When I have spoken with Sallie Mae reps. I am simply told the rules and my ineligibility is reiterated. It has been suggested that I pursue the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, but time and money-wise, this would not benefit me. I am very financially strapped, and have been for years. As a result, I have made only a few payments to my consolidated loans and I’ve been holding them in forbearance and deferment off and on for years. Is there any recourse for someone in my situation? I have managed to pay off most of my non-loan debt over the past decade, but I am stymied by these unpaid student loans. Are there any means by which I could be forgiven for any amount? For those loans after 1998? I am not one to shirk my responsibilities, but my family and I are unable to make any forward progress because of this debt, and it has been this way for too many years.