This website is a testimony to the problems Canadian Student Loan borrowers experienced from approximately 1996 to 2008 and until their loans were paid off.

The privatization of the Student Loans system by the Chretien and Martin Liberal governments broke the system and defaulted thousands of borrowers who were trying to pay their loans. There were even stories of suicide due to the harassment of borrowers.

Read the report that I prepared back in 2007 here. Canada Student Loans-The Need for Change Fortunately the new Conservative government at the time revamped the program and fixed the system for new borrowers, but borrowers under the previous program were left with ruined credit and continued harassment from debt collectors.

I call on the Canadian Government to apologize to the borrowers affected by this fiasco and make amends.

Unfortunately the Liberal government is again clobbering the Education system with their changes to International Student Visas. Yes, there's a problem, but instead of a well thought out plan, they have pulled the emergency brake on the train causing a derailment. This has introduced unprecedented instability for both private and public education institutions who serve both international and local students.

Universities have been forced to cancel programs and layoff hundreds if not thousands of full-time and contract instructors.

Again, the Liberal government has messed up the education environment.


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Sophie_1377 View Drop Down
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Joined: 17/July/2013
Location: New Brunswick
Points: 2 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sophie_1377 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Overaward - Seeking Advice
    Posted: 17/July/2013 at 7:20pm
Hello.

I'm pretty sure I'm not in as much of a dire situation as most people on here, but I've got a problem and I'm not sure how to proceed. To be truthful, the possible repercussions of what could go wrong are terrifying for me.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with writing appeal letters or appealing an overaward based on unsatisfactory Scholastic Standing?

I'm currently an undergraduate student in NB, Canada. I've been attending university part-time taking 4 courses per year. I'm classified with NB Student Loan as a student with a disability because of my car accident.

About three years ago I was stalked and raped in my dorm on campus. I didn't tell anyone.
That June, I was in a car accident and rolled my father's convertible.
I had a standard crap summer job at the time and even though I had a skull fracture and a concussion and was hallucinating I was told to come back to work after 4 days or be fired. My father was strict and I knew I had to go. Long story short, I think I buggered up something in my head.

Taking a year off wasn't an option with my father at the time, so I went back to university full-time in the fall. The guy who had raped me still lived in the dorm and worked in my dorm's cafeteria. Long story short (again), I developed PTSD and the concussion caused some weird memory problems. I had panic attacks constantly and failed all of my courses because I couldn't walk to class without feeling like I was going to be attacked again.

I had no idea there'd be any repercussions for failing, and it was a total surprise when the school wanted me to withdraw. I appealed the withdrawal and finally admitted I was raped. The bureaucratic ass-covering that took place was phenomenal. I thought about reporting it to the police but Security said I needed to provide proof and write a letter, and I couldn't stand to talk about what happened, so I didn't.

The NB Student Loan claimed I hadn't maintained Satisfactory Scholastic Standing and denied my loan application. I was advised to fight it and attempted to submit an appeal letter about my PTSD because of the rape and my learning problems because of the concussion. The Student Finances woman said I couldn't mention the rape so I submitted the appeal based on problems from the concussion.

I failed a few more courses but I knew I had zero employment options without some kind of degree so I decided to keep attending. My loan was denied again and I didn't fight it after being told I had no grounds for appeal.

This year was my first year receiving a loan after the probationary year without a loan. I was doing well but in March I had to attend a meeting with a university counselour who didn't believe me about the rape. I told her I was going to kill myself if I got kicked out of school but she told me, in front of two of her co-workers, to drop out of university if I couldn't deal with my panic attacks. She advised her co-workers not to support any of my further attempts at appeals.

I didn't mean to, but I failed one of my courses this semester. Because of this I'm not going to be able to receive a loan for three years because of the overaward and Satisfactory Scholastic Standing. I've been told to try and submit an appeal letter on my own but I have no idea what to say or include, so I'm wondering if anyone has any experience, or advice, or suggestions?
They would be greatly appreciated. <3
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philbain View Drop Down
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Joined: 03/September/2012
Location: Victoria BC
Points: 42 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote philbain Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18/July/2013 at 2:53pm
I wrote an appeal in 99 in BC and it was approved. I had to complete one full time semester on my own and then I was ok to attain loans again. Mind you full time was a 60% course load (3 classes out here at Camosun College) and tuition and fees at the time was like $300 for all that. I just explained why I didn't do well honestly and I was approved and I explained it to the financial aid officer at the college. I submitted it in writing and then was called in to discuss it. I didn't have to pay anything back as an over award and it was treated the same way as my previous loans of unsuccessful semesters. Speak to your financial aid officer about it and CFW Group can help you as well.

I think you are actually allowed one appeal after your third unsuccessful and then after that there's nothing.
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philbain View Drop Down
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Joined: 03/September/2012
Location: Victoria BC
Points: 42 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote philbain Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18/July/2013 at 2:56pm
I just read the whole thing you wrote and you may want to contact John at CFW Group. I am sorry to hear what happened to you.
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Trotsky View Drop Down
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Joined: 09/July/2013
Points: 6 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Trotsky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22/July/2013 at 4:48pm
Hi Sophie,

I am also sorry to hear about what happened to you. First thing i think you should do is go to the police and report this crime, and explain to them what happened and the lack of help from your school. Then call your provincial government directly and ask to speak to someone there and see if they can help you. Good luck!
Lenin
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