HOW TO MAKE $58,412.10 OF STUDENT DEBT
DISAPPEAR INTO THIN AIR
-WITH TWO QUARTERS, A NICKEL, AND THREE PENNIES-
My student debt for a MFA from Bard College is currently $58,412.10. My attempt is to use the internet to get 100,000 people to mail the Sallie Mae corporation (who adminsters my loans), a check for 58 cents. And that by doing this, the collective activity of these small gestures will not only relieve my debt, but will overwhelm and flood their P.O. box in Atlanta, Georgia.
If you can spare 58 cents, an envelope, and a mailing stamp, please follow the instructions below:
- Make your 58 cent check or money order payable to:
Sallie Mae - Department of Education Loan Services
- With the check, include a letter stating my name and this 10-digit account number:
David Horvitz - 9118416183
- Mail to:
Department of Education
P.O. Box 740351
Atlanta, GA 30374-0351
United States of America
And don't worry, you are not doing anything wrong. I recently called the 800 number for Sallie Mae:
operator: Thank you for calling Sallie Mae, how can I help you today?
me: Hello. I have two questions.
operator: OK, please ask.
me: First, so it's okay if someone else mails in a payment for me, right?
operator: Yes, just make sure your account number is clearly written on a letter with the check.
me: OK, and any amount can be sent in? I mean, ANY AMOUNT, right?
operator: Yes, you can send in any amount you'd like. Is there anything else I can help you with today?
me: Thank you very much, that's all I needed to know.
operator: I'm glad I could be of service today, have a wonderful evening.
me: You too, bye.
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I will ATTEMPT to keep track of how many checks are sent using Twitter (@fiftyeightcents). After you mail a check, send an email to fiftyeightcents@gmail.com with your name and where you are from. I will post it to the twitter feed. If you wish to remain anonymous, send an email that just says "ANYONYMOUS" and I will post that instead of your name.
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Ideally you will send in an American check or money order straight to Sallie Mae. If you cannot do this, you can Paypal me $0.91 (this price compensates for Paypal's fees), and I will mail a check on your behalf.
If you don't have checks and can't or don't want to use Paypal, you can mail me $.058 in change, and I will send a check in for you. Email me and I will send you my mailing address:
