Important information
- Customer Complaint:Due to the volume of complaints filed against this business, BBB only publishes the details for 15% of the total complaints filed.
Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Sallie Mae's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 501 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 153 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
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Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:05/23/2024
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I contacted Sallie Mae on May 16th to resolve my account's status by setting up a payment arrangement. Initially, I was informed that I had until May 19th to resolve the status on the account before my credit report would be hit again on May 19th so to protect my credit score, I called when I knew I would have money to pay since I recently started a new job and get paid bi-weekly. An arrangement was set up, my loan was extended, and APR lowered. During the call with the customer service agent from the Loan Modification Department, I scheduled TWO payments on a recorded phone call for FRIDAY MAY 17TH in the amount of $22.79 and $98.50 for the total amount of $121 and that would bring my account up to current. Additionally, I agreed to 2 other scheduled payments for the months of JUNE and JULY to enroll in the new payment agreement. I agreed to the amount of $121 to be charged and the agent somehow FAILED the payment was never made, and my credit score and payment history was impacted again this week. I submitted the dispute through Experian and got no results, I also reached out to customer service, and no one called me back.
THIS IS AT SALLIE MAE'S FAULT. I CALLED ON A RECORDED LINE WHERE I HAD TO PRESS THE POUND SIGN (#) AND AGREED TO THE PAYMENTS. YET IT WAS SENT TO THE CREDIT BUREUS THAT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, MY ACCOUNT WAS STILL PAST DUE BECAUSE I HAD NOT PAID. I DEMAND A CORRECTION TO MY CREDIT REPORT AND THE PAYMENT THAT I AGREED TO, TO BE ACCEPTED. THE CALLS ARE RECORDED AND THERE ARE NOTES TAKEN DURING THE CALLS. I CALLED IN APRIL AND MAY I DID NOT WANT MY PAYMENT HISTORY TO BE IMPACTED AGAIN. This is causing me distress because I have been rebuilding my life after a year of trying to find employment and being impacted by inflation. I called, did the right thing, and Sallie Mae made the mistake, NOT me; I called to pay. I only have 1 missed payment during all my years with Sallie Mae and that was in April.
Thank you for your time
Business Response
Date: 06/20/2024
Thank you for
your message. To protect the privacy of our customers, we responded directly to
the customer.
Regards,
Office of the
Customer AdvocateCustomer Answer
Date: 06/25/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Regards,Complaint ID: 21751052
Initial Complaint
Date:05/16/2024
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Sallie Mae is reporting debts as charge off to credit reporting agencies. Sallie Mae has write off debts as income and has not provided me with a 1099c. Fair credit reporting act 15 usc 1681 Sallie Mae needs to have the debt removed from all credit reporting agencies based on charge off reported.Business Response
Date: 06/12/2024
Thank you for
your message. To protect the privacy of our customers, we responded directly to
the customer. Please allow enough time for the customer to receive our
response, sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
Regards,
Office of the
Customer AdvocateInitial Complaint
Date:05/09/2024
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I took out this loan a few years ago and had my mom come on as co-signer. Even though my credit has improved significantly they have refused to take her off the loan as promised. They are relentless at calling to the point of harassment. I have had them call me back to back every 35 minutes and my balance was only 22.00!!!! I have provided times which would be best to call me if there was an issue and they refuse to be obliged to this request. I am to the point where I may end up filing for bankruptcy because I can no longer take the mental anguish they continue to put me through every month.Business Response
Date: 05/31/2024
Thank you for
your message. To protect the privacy of our customers, we responded directly to
the customer. Please allow enough time for the customer to receive our
response, sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
Regards,
Office of the
Customer AdvocateInitial Complaint
Date:04/29/2024
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I took a $5k student loan for my daughter. At the time I applied for the loan it was $5K. I've paid $4000 on the loan. Well I went into the system today and seen that the loan amount is right back at almost $5k. It's almost $5k again because Sallie Mae never made me aware that interest would continue to accrue. I had no idea that Sallie Mae was not backed by the Federal Government that they are out here ripping student's off who are trying to get an education. During the pandemic I lost my job and so did my daughter. I paid the $4k thinking that the interest had stopped accruing and I would be able to pay the rest down. These people Sallie Mae should be barred to loan students money. Everything changed during the pandemic and these loan sharks continued to hiss like snakes and charge interest on their loans to fill their fat pockets and sleep like healthy babies at night. I want to know who can I reach out to Federally about this. I do not have money to keep trying to pay them for a $5000 loan. I am a disabled Veteran and the Federal Government forgave my loans so I don't have any but I am trying to pay this one off and Sallie Mae just keeps on adding! I asked for a supervisor because I wanted to know if the interest could be removed and the representative just kept saying we made you aware of the rules when you signed for the loan. When I initially signed for the loan there was no sign of a pandemic that would kill more 100,000 people either! There should have been a notice letting me know that due to the pandemic and no payments your interest was still going to continue. You know I never even received a statement about this. Loan 5276 now you review that loan and you tell me who makes a payment to keep starting over at the beginning. I made a $4k payment before my daughter finished school in 3/2022 and this was the balance $1,802.19 we were still in a pandemic and they were already charging interest before she got out of college now it's $4k again!Business Response
Date: 05/08/2024
Thank you for
your message. To protect the privacy of our customers, we responded directly to
the customer. Please allow enough time for the customer to receive our
response, sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
Regards,
Office of the
Customer AdvocateCustomer Answer
Date: 05/10/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint and have determined that this does not resolve my issue. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.I have not received a response from the business. This is why I wrote the complaint. Sallie Mae has never in the life-time of this $5K loan wrote and stated anything. Everyone else stopped the interest from accruing and they kept on adding interest in a pandemic when as I stated my daughter and myself both were laid off. They never even wrote to see if we needed assistance in paying back the loan. I made a $4K payment with income taxes I received and the balance now is at a$4K plus because of interest. Sallie Mae's computer or something is broke however nothing has been received to try to resolve this matter. I do not accept their response.
**In order for the bureau to continue to assist you, you MUST provide your view on the matter or your complaint will be closed as answered.
Regards,
Complaint ID: 21639579
Business Response
Date: 06/03/2024
Thank you for
your message. To protect the privacy of our customers, we responded directly to
the customer.
Regards,
Office of the
Customer AdvocateInitial Complaint
Date:04/21/2024
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Sallie Mae is billing me for Student loans that are $1900 a month . Cannot afford that and neither can parents. I’m in medical field and paying rent . They will not return my call for them to lower my payments . Sallie Mae is awful for Student LoansBusiness Response
Date: 05/08/2024
Thank you for your message. To protect the privacy of our
customers, we responded directly to the customer. Please allow enough time
for the customer to receive our response, sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
Regards,
Office of the Customer AdvocateInitial Complaint
Date:04/19/2024
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I get repeated (not robo) calls from Sallie Mae's "********" looking for "****** ******". Dozens since I got this phone# in 2015, four in the last 5 days. I answer or return the calls, explaining they have the wrong number and that I've never heard of the person they're seeking. They promise to remove my number from their system but they never do. It's the legit Sallie Mae, so not likely a scam. I'm starting to consider it HARRASSMENT of someone they've NEVER had business with. What can I do? Can you help?
Calls come from: ************ # I'm asked to return call: 855-364-3124Business Response
Date: 05/07/2024
Thank you for
your message. To protect the privacy of our customers, we responded directly to
the customer. Please allow enough time for the customer to receive our
response, sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
Regards,
Office of the
Customer AdvocateCustomer Answer
Date: 05/10/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Regards,Complaint ID: 21599375
Initial Complaint
Date:04/15/2024
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
This company did a charge off and filed this as cancel debt and did not send a 1099C to me. They are still reporting debt on my credit report which is a violation of 15 USC 1681eb and 15 USC 1692 unfair practice. I was a victim of covid-19 which was declared a natural disaster for the state of Indiana FEMA-4515-DR, EM-3456-IN. Also under the Federal Debt Collection Protection Act this company has harassed me.Business Response
Date: 05/06/2024
Thank you for
your message. To protect the privacy of our customers, we responded directly to
the customer. Please allow enough time for the customer to receive our
response, sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
Regards,
Office of the
Customer AdvocateCustomer Answer
Date: 05/08/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint and have determined that this does not resolve my issue. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.The account needs to be removed off my credit report or we can go to court for harassment. They called a elementary school in the state of GA requesting for me. I have proof which is stalking and harassment. They can respond through here not by mail and they are choosing not too nor did they ever provide a 1099C for the charge off which is illegal. You have a charge off account ok my report that was written off on their taxes.
**In order for the bureau to continue to assist you, you MUST provide your view on the matter or your complaint will be closed as answered.
Regards,
Complaint ID: 21579828
Business Response
Date: 05/28/2024
Thank you for
your message. To protect the privacy of our customers, we responded directly to
the customer. Please allow enough time for the customer to receive our
response, sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
Regards,
Office of the
Customer AdvocateInitial Complaint
Date:03/25/2024
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Back in 2013 I made the ill advised decision to co-sign on a student loan for someone who promised to remove me as co-signor 6 months after graduating. I was also at the time separated from my wife, struggling with alcohol, and suicidal. I ended up in a psych ward exactly 1-month after co-signing because I had a plan in place to take my life. Fortunately I got help, but I also got stuck with this loan. I’ve been paying on this loan for 10 years and have reached out to Sallie Mae multiple times for help even going as far as sending them my medical records as they requested proving I was in 2 psych wards and a substance use rehab within a month after co-signing. Unless I go into default they don’t try to contact the primary borrower or offer any sort of assistance. I don’t want to destroy my credit by walking away, but I have done my part in making payments on this loan for 10 years. Sallie Mae has gotten their money from me they need to hold the primary borrower accountable for the balance and free me from this loan or at the very least reduce the interest so the payments are manageable and I can make traction. I have already paid enough and now my interest rate is 13% so the payments are higher than ever going primarily towards interest every month.Business Response
Date: 04/05/2024
Thank you for
your message. To protect the privacy of our customers, we responded directly to
the customer. Please allow enough time for the customer to receive our
response, sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
Regards,
Office of the
Customer AdvocateCustomer Answer
Date: 04/08/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint and have determined that this does not resolve my issue. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.I spoke with ***** from Sallie Mae twice once on 3/27 and again on 4/3 who only verified my complaint with the BBB. After our first conversation she asked for a week to review my case and said she was going to try to reach out to the primary borrower who has stuck me with the loan to see if she could work something out with her. To my knowledge I have not received anything in writing, but I am sure it will be in a nutshell that they are sorry there is nothing they can do to assist me. ***** did review my case as promised and told me it pulled her heart strings, but unfortunately based on Sallie Mae's policy there was absolutely nothing she could do to help me. She also told me her supervisor looked over my file and advised her she would be wasting her time attempting to reach out to the primary borrower because that had not gotten them anywhere in the past. She complimented me at least 2-3 times calling me a rock star for all of the payments and re-iterated that it really pulled her heart strings reviewing my case and that she understands because her Dad is tired of helping her with her student loans. I explained to her the different was I was not receiving any help and had been left to pay every penny. I let her know that all she was doing was verifying everything I said in my complaint to the BBB and that unless I default on the loan I get absolutely no assistance whatsoever from Sallie Mae. She acknowledged that and re-iterated that she wishes there was more she could do. They employ people to give you false hope, make you think they care, and let you down as easy as they can. At least she didn't make any false promises as some of their other representatives have in the past although making me wait a week to tell me exactly what I already knew I was going to hear was completely unnecessary. All ***** did was waste both of our time as have many of their agents in the past the only difference is they are getting paid that time. There was absolutely no resolution it was simply another wasted attempt to get some help from Sallie Mae. I was more than willing to settle for even just an interest reduction. After making payments for 10 solid years you would think that would be the least they could do, but they could care less as long as they are getting their payments. I sincerely feel for anyone who is a slave to their loans.
**In order for the bureau to continue to assist you, you MUST provide your view on the matter or your complaint will be closed as answered.
Regards,
Complaint ID: 21481228
Business Response
Date: 04/24/2024
Thank you for
your message. To protect the privacy of our customers, we responded directly to
the customer. Please allow enough time for the customer to receive our
response, sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
Regards,
Office of the
Customer AdvocateInitial Complaint
Date:03/15/2024
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Sallie Mae continues to call despite me telling them several times over the past year that they have the wrong number. I receive several calls a day from different phone numbers marked Sallie Mae in regards to Beatrice Sanchez. I have told the caller that they have the wrong number and to please top calling me. The caller agrees to remove my number from their records however they continue to call.Business Response
Date: 03/29/2024
Thank you for your message. To protect the privacy of our
customers, we responded directly to the customer. Please allow enough time
for the customer to receive our response, sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
Regards,
Office of the Customer AdvocateCustomer Answer
Date: 04/02/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I have yet to receive written communication from Sallie Mae as they stated in their response. However, the calls have stopped and I will consider that satisfactory.
Regards,Complaint ID: 21440110
Initial Complaint
Date:03/01/2024
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
They are the worst loan service I have ever dealt with. They are pushy and not helpful when I call them, they just immediately transfer me to my case manager, who is rude most of the time. I am trying to get help but they don’t seem to care to help me. They put you in these “payment lowering” programs and then say they follow up with emails about your payments you have scheduled. Well I have zero emails showing it. I can’t express enough how bad Sallie Mae is. They fit you with their interest rate making you pay outrageous monthly payments. I should have never gotten a loan with this so called “company”! Your business practices suck and you hire people are a blatantly rude and leave threatening voicemails how they will not help you if you don’t call them back 5pm EST. I work for a living trying to pay back the loans that I got from you! I don’t have time to sit on the phone for 40 mins during the day. I’m sick and tired of the harassment I get from them. They should be ashamed to suck college students and grads students dry. With my loans I am not second guessing if I am going to grad school cause they just keep harassing me about what I owe. You should not be allowed to call and harass 15 times a day and *** should be disciplined for the way he speaks to me on the phone. He is pushy and makes me feel stupid for answering the phone or for even calling them to get my loans situated. This place needs to be shut down and everyone sued for what they do to students after they graduate. Avoid them at all costsBusiness Response
Date: 03/25/2024
Thank you for your message. To protect the privacy of our
customers, we responded directly to the customer. Please allow enough time
for the customer to receive our response, sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
Regards,
Office of the Customer AdvocateCustomer Answer
Date: 03/27/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint and have determined that this does not resolve my issue. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
**In order for the bureau to continue to assist you, you MUST provide your view on the matter or your complaint will be closed as answered.
Regards,Complaint ID: 21369176
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