I am a divorced 52 yr old woman who lives alone. I had defaulted on a student loan and have been making monthly payments as needed now for six months. I was laid off at the end of July and receiving unemployment. I was originally told that I would not have to pay toward the loan since I had  Title 4 letter and because I made too much the first six months of this year, I have to pay cash on top of Financial Aid. It was about the same so I went along with starting on August 31. I just received a notice in the mail that they were going to be collecting my defaulted student loan payment on the 20th. After calling the collection company they stated that I had to make payments for 9 months before I would be considered for deferred payments and then it could take up to three more months before it is approved. So now I am have a payment of $150.00 more than I am even making in a month. Rent, car, insurance and phone take up most my unemployment but got by with making the $145.00 payment each month. Now I may need to drop out of school since I am also not able to find a job. Financial aid at my school said that they were not aware of the 9 month clause so now I have to call EdFund and see if there is anything at all that can be done...I just want to get my degree and be able to be hired in a position that I can earn money to pay my bills.

I am just very frustrated and it is depressing when you try so hard to make something of yourself. When I called JFS they said they could have helped if I had not already started school...Am I doomed???