Being thankful during the holiday season transcends the mere act of expressing gratitude; it embodies a profound appreciation for the blessings and connections that enrich our lives. It’s a time when we reflect on the warmth of family gatherings, the joy of shared meals, and the comfort of cherished traditions. It’s about recognizing the people who stand by us and give us their support and a reason to have hope.
With that in mind, we talked to MES Client Albert Diaz so he could share his journey with us.
Albert Diaz went to college to pursue a degree in Business Administration. He took out a student loan and completed his Associate’s degree but couldn’t finish the four-year program.
“Life happens, so I took out another student loan and went to vocational school.”
After graduating, he started working as a refrigeration HVAC technician. At first, life was good. He had a high-paying job and he liked the work. But then, he had to start paying back his student loans.
“I can’t afford this!
Albert hadn’t realized the toll it was going to have on his monthly budget and his overall finances.
“I had all of these monthly bills already and then this came up and I didn’t know how I was going to pay it. I was budgeting big-time and always stressed out.”
“I was getting used to being broke.”
The loans had a negative effect on his credit and he couldn’t save any money. His monthly budget was pushed to the limit and there was no emergency fund or savings to bail him out.
“I just stayed at home all the time. There was no money for luxuries. I didn’t even have rainy day money.”
The stress of repayments caused Albert’s mind to race with the implications of not paying back his loans.
“I didn’t want to default or have my wages garnished but I didn’t know what else to do.”
Albert was ready to give up on repayment, but then he made a phone call that changed his life. He called My Education Solutions and spoke to an Advisor.
“I didn’t have to worry about student loans anymore.”
“Everything was so easy when I first signed up. The people at MES made it easy, they weren’t reading off a script. They talked me through the process over the phone. They said they were going to help and I was so happy.”
My Education Solutions was able to secure the Department of Education’s approval into a forgiveness program and helped him with the certification process. His monthly payment was also reduced dramatically. He was also relieved to find out that he wouldn’t have to spend hours on the phone with his loan servicer anymore.
“They said, we can talk to Nelnet for you. Great! We’ll make sure you get recertified every year. The simplicity of their program is awesome.”
“The impact was so huge. I felt relief.”
Just a few months into the program, Albert started putting money into his savings accounts instead of making a painfully large student loan payment. The fear of going into default or having his wages garnished vanished.
“The stress of having that big payment was gone. It was just one thing I didn’t have to worry about anymore. I could make my budget for the entire year and start making plans.”
Now Albert and his wife have a house and a new truck. They also recently had a baby.
“The last thing I want to do is be worried and stressed all the time. MES went out of their way to help me. It was a great feeling. They handle the renewal process for me and I don’t have to worry about it.”
When asked about any advice he might have for other borrowers dealing with student loans, he replied, “There are resources available to help you. It’s not hard to find help if you need it. Just Google it. My Education Solutions.”
My Education Solutions is thankful for all the clients who put their trust in us to manage their student loans and navigate their path to forgiveness and freedom from debt. If you are struggling with student loans, call an Advisor now at 210-405-2610.
