new debt reduction guidelines for income?

going to bali comes to mind...

seriously, danny, you have to be able to qualify for something if you are still unemployed.  you should be able to apply for the federal debt reduction - contact your lender or NSLSC (depending when you got your loans) and ask them to send you the forms.  and mail those things registered, sigature required so they can't say they were lost.

depending which province you are in there may be other loan repayment assistance programs available.  also (if this applies to you) talk to your case worker, social worker, parole officer...anyone who may know something that can help you.  i also would suggest printing out the "template for loan forgiveness" i posted under disability claims help and reworking it to show that you are unable to find work due to your criminal background and are appealing for your loan to be forgiven on compassionate grounds.  maybe include a statement in here that you are willing to volunteer in the community etc but no one will hire you because of your record.  it can't hurt. 

i would also look into programs to get some work experience, maybe check with your parole officer or social services in your area and ask about assistance with getting a job.

if i can help in any way, let me know.  you served your time and paid your debt to society, were pardoned and shouldn't have to go through this crap anymore.  it really torks me off ( i like that one, thanks johnny) when the system doesn't play fair.

 

Tangotori

Thanks for the info. Do you make any pmts on your guaranteed CSL? Do they call you daily? How long since you defaulted? Isn't it interesting that this so called debt reduction is pretty much UNAVAILABLE due to all the regulations. I myself ended up going in default since I couldnt make the pmts and was scared they would garnishee my wages,embarass me at work and possibly get me fired. I am sure many others have defaulted out of fear also.During my interest relief period the rep at the bank holding my student loan wasnt satisfied with pay stubs,a letter from my employer stating my salary and actually called the HR department at my work!! When I got a new job I decided not to apply for my last 2mos of interest relief out of fear for my new job.

Moonlight,

I have been making payments on my defaulted loans (both provincial and federal, guaranteed and non-guaranteed) since about 1999. I graduated from university in 1996/7. I deal with three collectors - Alliance One (previously The Collection House) for my guaranteed CSL, the Ministry of Provinical Revenue for my guaranteed BCSL and Accurate Baliffs for my non-guaranteed, Royal Bank, student loans. For the most part my dealings with all my creditors have been okay - nothing too horrible. Don't get me wrong... it hasn't been a walk in the park! They've called me at work and they've harrassed me for more money - but not to much harrassment. I've done my best to comply by providing them with their regular financial reports and making my promised monthly payments (not much money!!!). Like many of the people on this board, I'm a single parent. Combine that with the fact that I don't make a lot of money and I live in a very expensive city... suffice it to say that they've had little choice but to work with me. Although they're not happy about it! Lately, however, this fellow Victor from Alliance One has been making a nuisance of himself - he's now telling me that he's recommending to HRDC that they pursue me legally becaue I'm not even paying the interest on my loan. I calmly told him that I was aware of the regulations and that as long as I was complying and making my regular payments that legal action was not an option. Boy did he get beligerant with me!! "You know the rules, do you?! Well, we'll see about that. We'll see what HRDC has to say!" Based on my experiences with these guys, Moonlight, cooperate... within your rights(!). In other words, know the rules and keep your calm when speaking with them. If you'd rather, you have the right to ask for all communication to be in writing . Not a bad way to go. That's what I do with Accurate Baliffs - we correspond via e-mail (and very little at that). They don't hassle me any more and I believe it's because they don't want to have their comments/threats in writing. I doubt that I'll be able to keep things smooth forever - they'll rear their ugly heads one of these days!

Best of luck to you in your dealings!

Tangotori