The Department of Education is a great idea, however (if you didn't already know) it is nothing more than a sad example of the disgusting state of the US government. Run by folks gladly finding a quick answer over a correct one and never confused by a request for help this government agency determined my student loans needed to be serviced by Great Lakes.
I have never heard of Great Lakes and after sending monies for over 18 months that have been cashed, turns out they have never heard of me either. In addition to a huge and fraudulent account balance I am unable to file taxes because I am required to file documents from my loan service which I cannot get. I have been out of school for over two years and neither Great Lakes nor the Department of Education will send me my account number to include on my payments. Great Lakes refuses to contact or respond to me at all, I have sent multiple certified letters and continued to be ignored.
I most frustrating part is I have no recourse. I took out student loans, graduate college, got a job, send payments and for my troubles Great Lakes and the Department of Education refuse to answer such basic questions like "What is my account number?". Not one word of response from numerous attempts to be sent account information, I do not so much as know how much I should be paying.
The Ombudsman office responded that I should send my payments with the assigned account number.
Information provided by the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/wisconsin/business-reviews/consumer-finance-and-loan-companies/great-lakes-higher-education-corporation-in-madison-wi-12000219) shows significant activity. If you try to learn more about Great Lakes their website only discusses their non profit status and government relationship, not one piece of data relating to a person nor does it include any names of folks in leadership at Great Lakes. These are unethical folks chosen to
Great Lakes guarantees $51 billion in loans under FFELP, and works with 2,700 schools, 1,400 lenders and 2,000,000 borrowers
