Defaulted Student Loans when Living Overseas
My situation:
- I have student loans totaling $65,000 (principal amount), 8 of which are Stafford (Guaranteed Student Loans) and 2 of which are Perkins loans.
- I live in Europe and am a citizen of a European Union country.
- Unproudly, I have been defaulting on these loans since the year 2000, as I had no means to repay them.
- Prior to moving to Europe, I had been paying back my loans regularly.
- The debt collectors keep "hassling" me at work (they found my phone number in a work-related article on the Internet).
- Now the total debt is $115,000 including interest and penalties.
- I am a single mom, work part time, and don't receive financial support from the father.
- I don't plan to ever move back the US.
- I cannot pay back these loans now, and don't anticipate being able to do so in the future.
My questions:
- What are my options for getting this debt fully discharged?
- Can the government or the debt collectors claim the debt or garnish my wages, etc. as long as I live overseas?
- If I file for bankruptcy in Europe, will that relieve me of my student loan debt in the US?
- Do I need a "undue hardship" ruling to get a bankruptcy discharge of my student loans even when I live and file for bankruptcy in Europe?
- Can a "undue hardship" petition be filed by my lawyer in Europe or do I need to get a lawyer in the US?
- What is the statute of limitations for student loans (made in Pennsylvania and California)?
- Will I have trouble travelling into the US as a tourist as long as I am defaulting my debt?
- How can I get the debt collectors off my back now that they have my office phone number?
That's it for now. I hope someone in this forum can help advice me what my best options are. Many thanks in advance.
mariasand
Re: Defaulted Student Loans when Living Overseas
A couple more questions:
- Can I qualify for any of the student loan forgiveness programs, if I become a teacher, volunteer, etc. in Europe?
- Can I qualify for any of the student loan forgiveness programs, if I've already defaulted on my loans?
Re: Defaulted Student Loans when Living Overseas
Send them a cease and desist communication letter. State all numbers to which you do not want for them to call anymore. You can look up these letters online and they can give you some more detail of what to include and how to format them. As for trouble traveling in the states....I would imagine it would be risky. If you get in trouble with these loans they try to make it so you can't leave the states, if I were lucky enough to get out of the states I don't think I would risk coming back in! (i mean that in a dry-humor sort of way but my numbers are very close to yours and my estimated payback is around 200k)
Good Luck!
Re: Defaulted Student Loans when Living Overseas
Hi Maria?
Was wondering if you got more answers to your questions. I'm in a very similar situation! Any info?
Thankss!!
-B