Johnny at CFW can you help me please?

Hi Johnny. I just sent CFW an email through the website but I thought I would also contact you via this forum.

I defaulted on my student loans and am now dealing with 2 different collection agencies. I left university in May of 1996. I did not graduate. I tried to return too university intermittently over the past several (without any student loans of course) but due to some mental health issues and the sudden death of my father in May of 1996 I have as yet to complete my undergraduate degree. I would very much like to finish my degree and feel that I accomplished something despite my student loan default.

I am currently on Ontario Works (welfare) and I will shortly be going on ODSP (disability) due to my severe mental health issues. I am currently receiving assistance with filing back income taxes. I haven't filed in quite some time as I have been either on social assistance, supported by my mother or sporadically employed on an extremely casual and part-time basis. It is difficult for me to admit but due too my ongoing mental health issues I have never been able to successfully seek full-time employment.

I have a discharged bankruptcy on record of course my student loans were not included). I know you don't approve of filing for bankruptcy so I hope that won't be a barrier to possibly working with you.

I would just like someone to help me deal with the collection agencies. I would like to make a modest monthly payment proposal (it wouldn't even cover the interest on my CSL but I want too demonstrate that I am willing to co-operate to the best of my ability).

I am NOT trying to weasel out of my CSL obligations but I simply cannot borrow money from family, friends or any kind of lending institution. Also, right now it is not possible for me to accept a settlement offer (although I would dearly love to be able to do so). I feel that I am at the end of my rope and I need professional help in dealing with my student loan nightmare

I live in Toronto so I hope that won't be a barrier in terms of possibly working with you. Also, I do not have a credit card or anything so if you could please advise on how I would remit payment for your services should we work together I would greatly appreciate it. It pains me too admit but I am desperate and very scared and very depressed.

I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Amy.

Hi Johnny. Thank you for your reply. I left school in May of 1996 (I did not graduate). My father died unexpectedly and to put it mildly I became very, very depressed. I avoided just about everything out of fear and depression. I neglected everything to the point that I filed for bankruptcy in 2003. I was discharged but my student loans were not included. I didn't deal with anything. My loans are seriously in default but I have decided to do the responsible thing and try and deal with them. I will likely never be able to fully repay them and might have to consider filing for bankruptcy again after 7 years have passed (I am returning to school) or 5 years due to economic hardship. Any career field I enter into will not be of sufficiently high payment to allow me to clear them up. I have no credit cards, car or assets of any kind. Borrowing from family/friends/bank is not an option for me. I have spoken to an accountant at a non profit community agency here in Toronto (they are not a credit agency of any kind) and she is helping me to get things started with filing income tax and setting up a small payment plan. She will also be helping me file for debt reduction when appropriate. To say that I am stressed and scared beyond belief is to put it mildly.