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I went through this exact same thing last year! The key is to escalate beyond MOHELA entirely. After getting nowhere with their supervisors (who seem to promise everything and deliver nothing), I filed complaints with both the CFPB and my state attorney general's office. Within 2 weeks of filing the CFPB complaint, I got a call from a different MOHELA department - not regular customer service - and they actually fixed my payment count issue. The CFPB complaint creates a paper trail that MOHELA has to respond to officially, so they can't just ignore you like they do with regular calls. Also, make sure you're documenting everything - dates, times, names, reference numbers, what was promised vs what actually happened. This documentation becomes crucial when you file formal complaints. Don't waste more time with their regular customer service runaround!
This is exactly the kind of actionable advice I needed to hear! I've been spinning my wheels with their regular customer service for way too long. Filing a CFPB complaint sounds like the way to go - I had no idea they had to respond officially to those. Quick question: when you filed the complaint, did you include all the documentation from your previous calls and interactions, or just focus on the most recent broken promise from the supervisor? I want to make sure I'm putting together the strongest case possible. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I've been lurking here for a while but had to chime in because I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now! It's so frustrating when they make promises and then just... nothing. Reading through all these responses is really eye-opening - I had no idea about the FSA Ombudsman or that CFPB complaints actually force them to respond officially. I've been wasting months going through their regular customer service thinking that was my only option. Definitely going to try the FSA Ombudsman route first since my issue is also payment count related. Has anyone had success getting a direct supervisor contact like Carmen mentioned? That seems like it could save a lot of time instead of explaining the whole situation from scratch every single call.
I'm going through this exact same situation right now and honestly, reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief! I made a payment 5 days ago and it's like it just vanished - my bank shows it went through but MOHELA's acting like it never happened. It's so stressful when you're trying to stay on top of your loans and the system just fails you like this. The 8 AM calling strategy seems to be the unanimous recommendation here, and I love that everyone's mentioning this "pending/unprocessed transactions" queue - it makes so much sense that there's some kind of digital limbo where these payments get stuck. I'm definitely setting my alarm tonight and getting all my bank documentation organized. One thing I'm curious about though - has anyone had success reaching out to MOHELA on Twitter or other social media? Sometimes companies are more responsive there when you call them out publicly. Not trying to be vindictive, just wondering if it might speed up the process! Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it's incredible how supportive this community is when dealing with these loan servicer headaches! š
Hey! I haven't tried the social media route personally, but I've heard mixed results from friends who've tried it with other loan servicers. Some say it can help get attention faster, but others found it just redirected them back to the phone lines anyway. Given how many people here have had success with the 8 AM call strategy, I'd probably try that first since it seems pretty reliable. But if you're still having trouble after a few days, social media might be worth a shot! The squeaky wheel gets the grease sometimes. Good luck with your call tomorrow - you've got all the right documentation ready, so I'm confident you'll get it sorted out! This whole thread has been so reassuring to see how common this issue is and that it does get resolved. š¤
This is such a stressful situation, but you're definitely in good company here! I'm a newer member but have been lurking and reading about MOHELA issues for a while now. The advice everyone's giving about calling at 8 AM sharp with all your documentation is spot on - I've seen this recommendation work for so many people in similar situations. One thing I'd add that I learned from my own banking experience: when you call tomorrow, ask the MOHELA rep specifically about ACH processing delays. Sometimes payments get held up in the Automated Clearing House system between banks, especially if there's any mismatch in account information or if your bank uses a third-party processor. If that's the case, they can usually expedite it once they know to look for it. Also, don't forget to check if MOHELA sent you any emails about payment verification - sometimes they'll send a "confirm this payment" email that can end up in spam folders, and if you don't respond within a certain timeframe, the payment just sits there waiting. Hang in there! Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like your payment is definitely recoverable, just stuck somewhere in their system. This community is amazing for support during these loan servicer nightmares! š
Reading through all these comments as someone who just got transferred to MOHELA from Nelnet - I'm genuinely terrified now! š° But also incredibly grateful that you all are sharing these strategies. I had no idea it was this bad. Just wanted to add that I work in customer service for a different company, and from an insider perspective, the reason a lot of these "hacks" work is because most call centers have poorly designed phone systems that were never updated. The * then 0 trick, calling at specific times, and using alternate department numbers are all ways to bypass their queue management system that's probably from 2005. It's not your fault that basic customer service is this hard - their infrastructure is just broken. Definitely saving this thread as my MOHELA survival guide! Thanks everyone for turning this nightmare into a community effort šŖ
Wow, thank you so much for the insider perspective! That actually makes a lot of sense why these random tricks work - I never thought about it being an outdated queue system issue. It's oddly comforting to know it's not intentionally designed to be this terrible, just... neglected infrastructure š Sorry you're joining the MOHELA club though! Definitely bookmark this thread and maybe try some of these strategies BEFORE you actually need help, just to test what works for your situation. The fact that we need a "survival guide" for basic customer service is insane, but at least you're getting the heads up early. Welcome to the chaos! š«
Wow, this thread is like a masterclass in MOHELA survival! š I just got assigned to them last month and honestly had no idea what I was walking into. The fact that we need elaborate strategies just to reach customer service about our own loans is absolutely insane. I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM sharp calling method and that * then 0 bypass trick - you all are legends for sharing these tips! It's both comforting and terrifying to see I'm not alone in this struggle. Bookmarking this entire conversation as my official MOHELA battle plan. Thanks for turning this nightmare into a community effort! š
Welcome to the MOHELA nightmare club! š I've been dealing with them for about 6 months now and this thread has been my lifeline. The fact that we literally need a "battle plan" just to contact our loan servicer is absolutely bonkers. Definitely try that early morning calling strategy - it's been my most successful approach so far. Also, don't feel bad if you get frustrated or want to give up sometimes - this whole system is designed to wear us down. But having this community of people who actually understand the struggle makes such a huge difference! We've got your back! šŖ
Diego, you're definitely not alone in this nightmare! I had the exact same issue with MOHELA last fall. They promised me forbearance in September, said it would be processed "within 2 weeks" and I didn't see it applied until December after multiple calls and complaints. Here's my advice based on what finally worked: ⢠When you call, immediately ask for the "Student Loan Resolution Team" - they have more authority than regular customer service ⢠Tell them you need a "case escalation" due to unfulfilled promises from January ⢠Ask them to notate your account with the forbearance commitment they made ⢠Request they apply retroactive administrative forbearance back to when payments were supposed to stop ⢠Get the rep's direct extension if possible for follow-ups Also, if you have any emails or confirmation numbers from your original applications, mention those specifically. MOHELA seems to "lose" applications regularly but they can usually find them if you have reference numbers. Don't give up - it's frustrating as hell but they will eventually fix it if you stay persistent. You shouldn't have to pay for their processing delays! š
Sofia, thank you so much for this detailed breakdown! The "Student Loan Resolution Team" tip is gold - I had no idea there was a specific department that could actually help beyond the regular customer service runaround. Really appreciate you sharing the exact phrases to use and the steps that worked for you. It gives me hope that this can actually get resolved! Going to try your approach and hopefully won't have to wait until December like you did. Thanks for taking the time to help out a fellow borrower! š
Hey Diego! I just went through this exact same situation a few months ago and it was absolutely maddening. MOHELA told me the same thing in December - that I'd be on forbearance "by end of month" and then... nothing happened for weeks. What finally got them to move was when I started keeping a detailed log of every interaction and then sent them a formal written complaint through their website referencing all the broken promises. I also mentioned that I was considering filing with the Department of Education's Federal Student Aid office since they weren't honoring their own commitments. Within 48 hours of sending that written complaint, I got a call back from a supervisor who not only applied the forbearance retroactively but also adjusted my payment history. The key things that seemed to make a difference: ⢠Being very specific about dates and what was promised ⢠Using formal complaint channels (not just phone calls) ⢠Mentioning potential escalation to federal oversight ⢠Asking for everything in writing Don't let them wear you down - you deserve to have them follow through on what they promised you in January. Keep fighting and document everything! šŖ
Raul, this is super encouraging to hear! I love how you got specific results within 48 hours just by putting it in writing and mentioning federal escalation. That's way faster than what most people are dealing with. I'm definitely going to try your approach - the formal written complaint route sounds much more effective than just calling over and over. Thanks for sharing exactly what worked and giving the rest of us hope that this can actually get resolved quickly if we use the right strategy! š
Diego Chavez
I'm dealing with a similar payment count nightmare right now! One thing that's helped me is calling their dedicated "escalation line" if you can find it - I got the number by asking multiple agents until one finally gave it to me. Also, when you do get through to someone, ask them to put a "priority flag" or "urgent review" notation on your account. Some reps don't mention this option, but it can help get your case looked at faster. Another tip: if they keep giving you the runaround about transferring to a supervisor, try saying "I'm requesting a formal escalation due to a service failure" - using their own language sometimes gets better results. The whole system is absolutely broken, but don't give up! Document everything and keep pushing. You shouldn't have to fight this hard just to get your payments counted correctly. Sending you good vibes that you get this sorted soon! š
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Vince Eh
ā¢This is exactly the kind of insider knowledge I needed! I had no idea there was a dedicated escalation line - that's brilliant that you kept asking until someone gave it to you. The "priority flag" tip is also something I never would have thought to ask for. I'm definitely going to use that phrase about "formal escalation due to service failure" - you're so right that using their own language probably gets better results. It's ridiculous that we have to become experts in their internal processes just to get basic issues resolved, but I really appreciate you sharing what's actually worked. Going to try all of these strategies on my next call. Thank you for the encouragement - some days it really does feel hopeless! š¤
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Rajan Walker
I'm going through the exact same thing right now and it's absolutely maddening! I've been stuck in this loop for weeks where they keep saying they need supervisor approval but then nothing happens. One thing I've learned is to ask for a reference number or case number for your escalation request - that way when you call back (and you probably will have to), you can reference it and they can see that you've already been through this process. Also, try calling at different times of day - I've noticed the morning shift seems more willing to actually follow through on transfers. The afternoon/evening reps seem to just want to get you off the phone. It's so frustrating that we have to become experts at navigating their broken system just to get basic issues resolved. Stay strong - from reading these other comments, it seems like persistence really does eventually pay off! šŖ
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Connor Byrne
ā¢Yes! The reference/case number tip is so important - I wish I had known that earlier. I've been calling back and having to start from scratch every single time, which is beyond frustrating. Your observation about timing is really interesting too. I've mostly been calling in the afternoons when I have breaks from work, but maybe I need to try getting up early and calling first thing in the morning instead. It's honestly insane that we have to strategize like this just to get help with our own accounts, but I appreciate you sharing what you've learned through this process. At least we're all in this together! Hopefully your persistence pays off soon š¤
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