Zalen

AFF called me even though I’m on the do not call list — as a charitable foundation, I couldn’t find them listed with the IRS. When I asked them about charitable activities, they replied that they haven’t given any $500 grants yet. Also, they’re a Delaware corp, so who knows where they really are based. It looks like they are just another online student loan startup trying to get around the do not call registry.

Don’t know who this board is, but googled “Academic Funding Foundation” and this site was #1 on the list. Just want to vent as they have been calling everyday and weekends for weeks on end. I have had enough.

I am so damn mad at this bunch that I asked to speak to a supervisor. Neither of them hardly could speak English. I flat out asked them where they were physically calling from and they responded “Canada.” They said that they have a contract with the U.S. government. Cussed them out and told them to never ever call me again. Anything they wanted to communicate could go by mail. They seemed to have unlimited amounts of information on me. I am totally pissed.

Wpage: This board is just my random-thoughts style blog, but I will take any information on the AFF. While they have stopped calling me, any information would be useful to other people about this company.

Link to their Better Business Bureau listing.

A very short iVillage discussion. (Use “next message” to navigate.)

Even more discussion about this company in this random discussion board, but with the most and most-interesting stories.

I hope this helps anyone get the information they’re looking here for. Your college loans are a huge chunk of change, and you shouldn’t give it up to anyone you can’t verify.

A woman from AFF called me and offered to lock down the interest rate of my student loan. I am still in school and won’t graduate for another two years. Can she do that?

Here is the e-mail message that she sent me recently:

“Thank you for choosing Academic Funding Foundation for consolidating your student loans.Our Loan Specialists have determined you meet the eligibility requirements, and your loan is in process.

The Department of Education is increasing the interest rates on Federal student loans effective July 1, 2006. By consolidating now, you’ll reduce your monthly payments as well as lock in a low fixed rate for the life of your loan. Because you have already applied, you only need to sign and return your loan documents by June 30 in order to beat the rate hike.

Your forms are available to sign online at https://secure.academicfundingfoundation.org/MyAccount.

If you have any questions about your consolidation loan, or if you’d like to arrange a FREE FedEx pickup of your loan documents, Loan Counselors are at your service Monday thru Saturday from 9 AM – 10 PM EST at 1-866-850-1746.
Loan Processing Department, Academic Funding Foundation “

It sounds good but will it be true?

How did she get my name, address, and phone number?

I have also had problems with AFF. I have also asked for the Board of Directors names and the name of their manager (all I could get was Bryan). They said they do not have a Board of Directors. However, on their website it says they are “managed by leaders within the academic community” but do not list who those leaders are anywhere on the website.
They have called me during two different time periods. My mother lives with me so she was answering the phone when I was at work. The first time, the person from AFF was harrassing her to give him my social security number and then belittling her when she told him she did not know it (even though she did). I called them to tell them to stop calling me. Then a few months ago, they started calling again. The last time, the AFF guy told my Japanese mom that she did not speak proper English and harrassed her about her language speaking abilities. I do not understand this because the two men that I spoke with both had accents! I was so mad and called to yell at them, asking that I NEVER be called again. I just sent them an email to complain, but after reading these messages, I will contact the BBB.

Monica: That’s horrible. Considering I talked to maybe one person who didn’t have an Indian accent, it’s also hypocritical.

These companies get the information because it’s a matter of public record if any of your money came from the government or is subsidized. I’ve consolidated my loans and I still get requests, though in the mail.

My Academic Funding Foundation story ended when I finally told off the guy at the other end of the phone. I called them liars, I explained in great detail why they didn’t care about service, and told them either not to call me back or to get a manager to call me. Neither happened.

I’m glad to see that they are getting a fair number of complaints with the Better Business Bureau. The only advice I have that works, however, is be firm against them.

There is nothing AFF can offer you that another loan consolidation won’t.

The general advice I’ve recieved is to consolidate with either your own bank or the company who holds your loans. I did the latter and am quite content.

D: If you come back to read, my advice is if you have legal concerns, ask your advisor at school. They deal with things like this all the time, and have practical answers.

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