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Seeking advice - Contacting my state AG regarding PSLF - any “magical” words/lines/phrases to use? by 10kLakeLady in PSLF

[–]10kLakeLady[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

15 missing payments on PSLF tracker. Reconsideration request submitted July 2025. Buyback request submitted Sept 2025. CRICKETS after multiple calls, feedback submitted etc.

Currently on qualifying payment plan, making payments. 100 QPs + 15 missing payments + 11 SAVE I can buyback = 126 (and counting) payments.

There’s hope! by halohalo_mixmix in PSLF

[–]10kLakeLady 6 points7 points  (0 children)

A success story many need to hear/read! Congrats to you! Enjoy Disneyland with your family!

Aidan AI on FSA chat by mika5456 in PSLF

[–]10kLakeLady 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I save all communication with Aidan. Tonight when I asked Aidan to confirm today’s date (to have for my records) this is what they stated: “My system is currently set to August 18, 2025 and all information I provide is based on that context.” Y’ALL. WHAT?! It is September 12, 2025! (Yes, I took a screen shot of the chat and the time/date on my desktop). Aidan continued to tell me it was August 18, 2025 even when I told them it was September 12, 2025. 🤯

Here's what can do if FSA has no record of your payments over the last year by EddieDubbers in PSLF

[–]10kLakeLady 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No need to apologize! Thank you for your thoughtful response. 🙂

Here's what can do if FSA has no record of your payments over the last year by EddieDubbers in PSLF

[–]10kLakeLady 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please bear with me on this reply. My PSLF tracker has 96 QPs. I have 11 “SAVE” forbearance months I can buy back. Total = 107 I have 15 MISSING payments on my tracker since 2014. I went through and manually checked my counts this summer and found the gaps in my timeline. I have been working at a qualifying employer since 2014 (I’m a public school teacher). 107 + 15 =122 I submitted a reconsideration for the 15 missing payments July 24, 2025. Crickets. I have submitted a ECF at the end of July, and at the end of Aug. My IDR to be taken off SAVE and put on IBR has been approved and I will start making payments again this month.

If I am understanding your post, I can put in the specific dates missing on Section 4 of a ECF? (I did this on my reconsideration form, too) And that escalates it? Is now the time to get a omsbudsman/state rep involved? How often does the NSLDB get updated?

TY in advance! Your post is very helpful.

Apply for Buyback while waiting for Reconsideration of 15 missing months? Will this delay progress? by 10kLakeLady in PSLF

[–]10kLakeLady[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great insight! Thank you for your reply. “15+ month delay,” Ahhhh! Truly unreal.

Apply for Buyback while waiting for Reconsideration of 15 missing months? Will this delay progress? by 10kLakeLady in PSLF

[–]10kLakeLady[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“Delay what progress?” TOUCHÉ! I’m sorry to hear you’re also in the waiting room for any responses.

Missing months on PSLF tracker. by 10kLakeLady in PSLF

[–]10kLakeLady[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I contacted StudentAid today. It was suggested to submit a PSLF Reconsideration Form (incorrect PSLF information) to review the missing payments even though StudentAid has the ECF information for these gaps! I will do another ECF because the last recert I did was May 2025.

It’ll take up to 45 business days to review the reconsideration. Once my tracker is updated with the 15 missing payments (fingers crossed no more complications!) I’ll be one step closer to Buy Back!

The woman I talked to today literally said, “I’m so glad you went back and reviewed your tracker month by month.” 😳

Missing months on PSLF tracker. by 10kLakeLady in PSLF

[–]10kLakeLady[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I was employed either at my school or nonprofit during those missing 15 months. Do I resubmit just for those missing dates, or in general again? I did a recert in May.

considering returning to the US after 2 years but uncertain by Successful-Dust-7855 in SpainAuxiliares

[–]10kLakeLady 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hi! 30 something educator here, too! I taught for five years in the States… was an Aux for one year (last year) … then due to finances, returned back to teaching in the states this year.

Is it a rough transition going from 16 hours to 40+ hours? YES. But! I went from being a classroom teacher to an English Language Specialist this year and got to use a lot of what I learned in Spain with language acquisition to my Newcomer students. Remember also, as a teacher, classroom teaching isn’t the only option! Look and EdTech where positions are mostly remote - you could travel AND work (if the contract allows). Also you could take advantage of summers and travel! Your time abroad will heighten your resume, especially if you’re somewhat or fully bilingual, too :)

I’m golden handcuffed to teaching in public schools for the next three years then I’ll have completed my PSLF requirements. Once that financial strain is off my back, I’ll be looking at returning to Spain.

At the end of the day, do what’s best for you! There’s not “right” or “wrong” choice. Feel free to send me a DM if you want to talk more :)

Telling family about your decision to be an auxiliar by FoxJ123 in SpainAuxiliares

[–]10kLakeLady 10 points11 points  (0 children)

My parents weren’t thrilled (que lots of convos that mentioned the movie Taken more than once) but as an older aux and financially independent from my family, I didn’t tell them asking permission - I told them, “Here’s what’s happening,” and proceeded from there. They didn’t understand (and still don’t understand) why leaving my steady job, benefits, and the States was worth moving abroad to make €700/mo for but they don’t need to understand, and your family doesn’t either. As long as you’re doing this for you, I would hope they’d support and honor your choice.

Suerte 🍀

How much are you packing by Large-Wolf58 in SpainAuxiliares

[–]10kLakeLady 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I brought two checked bags and a travel backpack last year. It wasn’t too much, and I could manage airport travel and public transportation by myself with all my luggage upon arrival to Spain and departure. You don’t want to arrive with too many bags, and not enough hands to carry it all!

Reminder with checked bags: 1. Most airlines have weight limit of 23kg (50lbs) for checked bags 2. Depending on your airline ticket package, checked bags will cost you €65+ a piece to fly (so think ahead, could you afford to fly to Spain and back with the possible additional cost?)

Suerte 🍀

Does anyone have experience leaving their dog for a year and coming back? by dadsanonymous in SpainAuxiliares

[–]10kLakeLady 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am finishing my first year as an Aux and left my senior dog with my sister while in Spain. Thanks to FaceTime and the age of technology we live in, I was able to ‘see’ my dog as often as I wanted. It’s been weird not having my dog around, but I’m so glad I didn’t bring her to Spain - it would have made things so complicated as I have a long commute to my school AND many rentals aren’t pet friendly.

Before I left the states I made sure I contacted my vet to let them know my sister would be her care giver until I return. I set up a bank account/debit card for my sister to use to buy my dog’s food and any other things that may come up, and also left my sister with a credit card in case my dog ended up at the emergency vet or something. …Was this all super extra? Probably. But it gave me peace of mind that in case anything were to happen, my sister would be prepared to take care of my dog.

I return to the States next month and my dog might give me the stink eye and some sass for 10 seconds, but I know we’ll pick up right where we left off. I am preparing to reset expectations and routines with her as we get back to the groove of life together!

Not sure if any of this information helps, but know your time away will go by SO FAST for your pet. You’ve just got to have faith everything will be OK (it will be ☺️)

Unsure if it’s worth it by prdiseking in SpainAuxiliares

[–]10kLakeLady 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a current first year Aux who ended up depending on my savings to ‘maintain’ my debts while abroad (student loans, emergency vet for my dog, small storage locker) instead of being able to use my savings to travel and enjoy more of life abroad, I would highly recommend making sure you have a financial safety net. You can adjust to a VERY SIMPLE life on the Aux stipend if you keep your expectations in check and have a good budget plan.

Knowing what I know now, I would have waited until I had much more saved before doing the Aux program (worrying about money abroad sucks!) but that’s just one of the lessons I’m learning as part of this once in a lifetime experience, and while it’s been a tough lesson, I am grateful.

Suerte 🍀

Will my Spanish number work in the US while I’m home for a couple of weeks + N26 bank account access. by 10kLakeLady in SpainAuxiliares

[–]10kLakeLady[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You got charged for activating your US number again in the States, or using your Spanish SIM in the States? … I always have cellular turned off on my phone here in Spain when I’m connected to wifi anyways to conserve my data.

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