My Student Loans fell into default years

If they garnish my wages does that money go towards paying my loan or do they take it all?

Of course it goes to paying your loan. It is applied to the collection fees first, then past due interest and then principal.

if your already getting your wage garnished do they take your tax returns too?

Since you are not paying voluntarily, they can seize your returns as well.

My Husband is in a similar situation only it was his ex. not his parents and he does not have any of the paperwork to even know how many or for what amount the original loans added up to as he basically signed off on the paperwork she filled out for them back when they both attended college. His struggle is to first find out what's out there in his name and then attempt to work out something. I tried way back when we were first married about 7-8 years ago I was able to get 2 or 3 (can't remember) worked out and out of default but became so frustrted by the lack of getting any further than that I eventually gave up. He has been out of school for over 15 years I can't even imagine what the bottom line is on whatever was left.

Soap Lady....you wrote that they can garnish your Social Security but not your disability....is that true?

They can garnish ANY government payout including SSDI.

need help!!!

so i was sitting here thinking i need to get my credit in check. so i research my student loan collection agency and call them to see how much i still owe after paying them for over two years @ atleast 400 a month or more because they garnish my paycheck and im a commision sales rep. anywho i have paid 10k so far and owe them 20k or can settle out for 14k. i remember back when i wasnt working direct loan rep called me and i messed up my payment options with them. is there any program out there that will buy my loan and i can pay them back instead of doing this garnishment nonsense. i know its my fault i owe this money but i want to start a family and get married and dont want to go into it in debt.

You are ineligible for consolidation while in garnishment. What you would have to do is rehab which would require payments be made over and above the garnishemnt for 9 months. Your loan would then come out of default. You will still be in debt but your loan would be current.

uhh dumb question but, when u are finished paying them off do they let u know or do you have to call them?

You should be checking up on a regular basis as to how much you still owe. Interest continues to accrue so the beginning garnishment order is not the final figure.

Soap Lady...your information for others has been very helpful reading for me as I try to navigate through my own student loan mess. I have a loan that has been in default since 2002. I wont go into a long story but the short version is that I do not have the information on my loan. My mother completed all the paperwork and I was unaware of the terms, company, etc. I didn't even know that the loan was in my name until a couple of years ago; my mom originally told me I was the co-signor and she was the signor when I was 18 and attending college. I would like to work on this debt so that I can finish school but am running into road blocks everywhere I turn. She contacted the original company, American Education Services, and they said that since the loan was default I had to contact someone else (that I assume is a CA for them or someone that bought my debt). When contacting that company I was given a different company's information to contact. I contacted the third company and was given a law firm to contact. When speaking to the law firm I was told that nothing less then $1,200 a month would be accepted on this $50,000 debt. When they were informed that I can not afford that but would like to get this debt taken care of and worked out I was told to make payments as I can since a Repayment Agreement under $1,200 is not an option for them. I am quite frustrated...I am harrassing them to pay a debt instead of them harrassing me but getting no help in starting payment. If I pay monthly without a Repayment Agreement I assume that will not help me get out of default or help me become eligible for assistance when going back to school. I am a one income household with a newborn, toddler, a disabled husband, and I financially help my disabled/elderly mother. I've taken on a second pt job to use for my student loan payments....which I could afford about $300-$350 a month (my entire 2nd job's income). I am beyond frustration and would really prefer to deal with the loan originator or anyone that's willing to set up a decent payment plan with me. I would at least like a probationary payment plan until I am eligible to finish my degree...after that I could make a substantial montly payment after pursuing better employment. I gross $2,130/mo. for my current employment and have no extra money on this income...does anyone have any HELP, SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS????? I'm desperate...I've been killing myself working a 2nd job for a month and do not even know who/where to send payments to because noone will work out a Repayment Agreemnt with me!!!! ,<sigh>

Are these federal or private loans? Did you actually sign the prom notes?

I am not sure...I assume private because it was originally through American Education Services for a private college in Virginia. My mom has some things going on and is not helpful with the information...when I ask questions she says she doesnt remember. She doesnt have much paperwork except for the recent contact we made and proof of payments she's made here and there over the last several years. I tried contacting the school I attended to see if they have helpful information but haven't received a call back as of yet. I'm scared to think that she possibly received both....my school semester was only $8,000 and she got the loan for about $32,000 without my knowledge. She used most of the money...paid the school and then helped our family due to my dad's recent passing at that time. She sent $10,000 back thinking it would lower the payment when I dropped out of school...which of course didn't. She has none of the paperwork (or at least that's what she's saying) and the loan is only growing. I don't even know where to start with the situation because noone is giving me answers but my credit report and future is the only thing suffering. I'm not sure if I signed a promissory note...most likely I did....I signed whatever documentation she gave me to sign in the financial aid office when registering for school as well as anything else she gave me during 2002-2003 to sign. Of course, all of this was done under the impression that I was the co-signer and that the debt was less thatn $10,000. I do not want to penalize my mom for misleading me and for this silly decision; I will pay the debt if it takes me the rest of my life. I just want direction...HELP PLEASE!!! Should I continue trying to contact the school?:

You signed the documents. Right above your signature is disclosure, usually in bold print....THIS IS A PROMISORRY NOTE...I WILL NOT SIGN THIS NOTE UNLESS I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND IT.

Really, it doesnt matter who is the signor or cosignor. Both of you will get sued....or have been sued. Have you checked your credit report lately?

Try logging into NSLDS to find out if you have any federal loans out there. Have your tax returns been taken?

Soap lady. I am trying to get up to date on some student loans i owe on. I have 2 seperate companies and they have taken my taxes this last year. Each company sounds completely different so i'm wondering which to believe. I owe $5429.18 to one which has said that i would have to put 800 down and 50 a month but i was able to talk them down to 200 down and 50 a month. The other told me that she was going to put me in some program where i put a small amount down and in 30 to 45 days would be cleared and would have 3 years to not have to worry about making playments. I've written down everything both companies have said and i'm just wondering why they are saying such different things. The second companies plan just sounds to good to be true so i havent said yes or no to it. The first one was very rude to me despite the fact that i contacted them to settle my loans and the women was horrible. I told her i wanted to work my debts and was looking into all my options including consolidation and she went off being all mean and crazy, since you seem to really know what you are talking about can you please give me some advice. I owe a total of 7300 and some total in federal student loans. I have a private student loan for ALOT more but it was my mistake to open that with my dad who said he needed to take some more out and would make the payments. he has up until recently when his health got worse and i got the first statement last month in the mail I owe 23,000 on that one but i dont know how private student loans work. Can they garnish like the federal ones. I know student loans cant be cleared in a bankruptcy, but i just dont know if the private student loan has the same rights as federal when it comes to re-payment collection attempts.
i know this is alot of info but any advice will help alot thank you.