JK Harris helps North Carolina woman get relief from defaulted student loans

    /24-7PressRelease/ - NORTH CHARLESTON, SC, February 03, 2008 - Having student loan debt and not being able to repay it can be an absolute nightmare. However, there are programs to help people in this exact situation.

Kimberly Martin, of Greensboro, N.C., knows this horrific feeling all too well after she defaulted on her student loan. However, she enlisted the help of JK Harris and Company, LLC, and is getting back in the good graces of her student loan company.

"We help a lot of people just like Kimberly," said Curtis Richards, Manager of the Student Loan Department at JK Harris and Company. "For some, having to try to repay a student loan along with normal living expenses can end up being a daunting task. We try to help people who qualify take advantage of the Student Loan Rehabilitation Program."

"I would like to thank JK Harris and my Case Specialist for helping me get my student loan case resolved," Martin said. "This issue has been a nightmare for years, until now."

Martin owed $10,694.63 in student loans. And, because of her inability to make high monthly payments, she was under an Administrative Wage Garnishment, whereby the U.S. Department of Education required her employer to forward 15 percent of her disposable pay toward repayment of her loan.. The IRS was even taking her income tax refund each year and applying it to her student loan balance under the Treasury Offset Program.

JK Harris, the nation's largest tax resolution firm, was able to get Martin into the Student Loan Rehabilitation Program and get her wage garnishment stopped by proving financial hardship through a hearing with the U.S. Department of Education.

"As long as we have the proof and our customer can help us with the documentation we need, and has the patience necessary to work through the red tape," said Richards, "they have a chance to qualify for programs that most people didn't know even existed."

Under the rehabilitation program, Martin must make nine consecutive monthly payments of $122 to rehabilitate her loan. What that means is that once Martin makes those nine payments, her loan will no longer be considered in a default status, the default status reported to national credit bureaus will be deleted, and she will once again be eligible for deferments and forbearances.

"He was very patient, kind and understanding. But more importantly, his professionalism and expertise in regards to this matter was exceptional," Martin said of her Case Specialist. "I am so delighted that he handled my case with urgency from start to finish."

About JK Harris:
JK Harris & Company, LLC, (www.jkharris.com) based in North Charleston, S.C., is the nation's largest tax resolution firm and has served over 200,000 customers since its founding in 1997 by John K. Harris. JK Harris consultants are available to meet with consumers in over 425 locations nationwide by appointment only. The company also provides services for student loan debt, fee-based financial planning, tax return preparation, and audit representation.

# # #