Frustrated, and Urgent Help Needed
Printed From: CanadaStudentDebt.ca
Category: Government Program Problems
Forum Name: Repayment Assisstance Plan (RAP) Issues
Forum Description: Rules, regulations and problems (Formerly Interest Relief and Debt Reduction)
URL: https://www.canadastudentdebt.ca/forum_posts.asp?TID=5494
Printed Date: 27/March/2026 at 2:02am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Frustrated, and Urgent Help Needed
Posted By: ladycaet
Subject: Frustrated, and Urgent Help Needed
Date Posted: 10/November/2009 at 11:48am
This is my story:
In September of 2007, I attempted to go to community college to launch a dream career. Halfway through the first semester, I had 2 family members die unexpectedly plus my parents separated. I became seriously ill with all the stress causing a major depression, and I had to drop out of my program early, without completing it. I had every intention of going back to finish it once my life settled down. I had paid my tuition with Student Loan, and the school was gracious enough to credit my second semester back to me, but since I had been attending for most of the 1st semester, even though I didn't finish it (and have no transcript) they weren't able to credit me.
It is now 1.5 years later. Obviously I qualified for interest relief in the first 6 months, because I was on disability. I have since found employment, but because of the medical expenses acquired during my year off due to illness, I now am in a debt management program. I have a perfect track record with them, I have a budget that I stick to, and I have no extra money to even put towards savings. As a single person, I have about 10$/week for groceries and essentials, and that is after moving in with a roommate to cut costs.
The interest relief period ran out in May of 2009. At that time, I re-applied but I was over their gross income limit by 2.50$/mth (thank you cost of living raise) so I was denied interest relief. I appealed the decision, including documentation from my family doctor as well as a letter from the debt management program, and a copy of my budget from the previous 6 months which details every penny spent, and none of it luxuriously. In July of 2009, I was told that the interest relief program was no longer available, and that I was being transferred to the new RAP program which I knew nothing about.
End of August 09, I was contacted by someone at Tricura Canada about my loan and RAP application. He told me that I had been approved for Interest Relief, providing I pay my interest accrued since May. This would have been 66$, which I did not have. He told me that if I capitalized my interest (something you can only do once) I would not owe anything to student loans until January of 2010. I did this, and thought I was done until January.
On October 26 2009 I received yet another phone call from Tricura Canada informing me that I was approved for RAP, as of August 2009 and that my account was nearing 3 months of being in arrears. I told them of my conversation with the man in September, but they have NO record of this on their files, and being that my conversation with him was held in my car on my way to my sisters wedding, I don't even remember his name. The lady I spoke to on Oct 26 told me that my provincial loan of 100$ had qualified for interest relief, but that my federal loan was in RAP (I thought I signed a consolidation agreement, putting these two together? Apparently you can't do that, so I dont' know what I consolidated anymore) and that I'm approved for a payment of almost 50$/mth, but backdated to August, so I owe 150$, plus 50$ coming up at the end of this month. I was only informed of this on October 26.
Here's my thing: I am working on a maternity leave contract that ends in December. I have put out resumes pretty much everywhere without getting a single interview. I live on less than 50$/mth for groceries. I live with a roommate. I haven't bought myself clothes or books or anything that I didnt' absolutely need in over 3 years. I'm on this debt management program not because I was irresponsible, but because I was ill.. I cannot, absolutely CANNOT afford to pay them this much every month. I might not even be able to pay rent in the new year. I spoke to a manager today, he told me that you cannot appeal the RAP program. I can reapply in January when this session is done and I'm out of work and they'll reevaluate, but I will still owe 5mths on RAP. I go into default at 9mths.
IS there anyone out there that knows of any thing I can do at this point? It's not like I have a savings account that I can magically pull this money out of. I already work 50 hours a week and I mentally cannot cope with more hours than that, even if I could find someone to hire me part time. I had every intention of finishing my program in the new year, but I can't get a new student loan application because I'm in arrears apparently on this RAP thing. If I pay them what they want, I will definitely either not be eating, or not have a roof over my head. My parents are not able to assist me, and I have no spouse.
According to the manager I talked to on the phone, I have two options: increase my family size (have a kid I can't afford) or quit my job and be unemployed. Great options student loans.. great options. I'm at my wits end, I honestly dont' have anywhere else I can pull this cash from and they can't help me out. I'm going to go bankrupt before I'm 25 because of a stupid illness...
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Replies:
Posted By: Radagast
Date Posted: 11/November/2009 at 2:19pm
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Yes, I'm not sure what the old interest relief program was like since my loan is only just now in repayment, but I definitely noticed the RAP program only cares what was and is, not what will be. Lose a high paying job? Keep making your payments on time for 3 months and THEN apply for RAP when you can show 3 low-income months and hope you get it after however long it takes them to process it.
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