I attended XXXX University from XXXX as an XXXX. I was under the impression that my student loans were federally owned. After I graduated, it came to my attention that a portion of the loan was owned by National Collegiate Trust. I had not made any payments between XXXX and XXXX, and the loan was in danger of default. I began making regular payments and have done so, in full and every month since late XXXX-early XXXX. Unfortunately, not only has the loan balance not decreased, it has increased. According to my most recent statement, the original principal loan amounts were for {$4200.00} and {$120000.00}. I have paid {$2100.00} and {$10000.00} in interest, respectively. Yes, it seems that the interest amount is nearly the same amount of the loan. Only {$1700.00} and {$3900.00} have been applied to the loan principal. As of XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, I still owe a balance of {$4300.00} and {$15000.00}. In sum, the original loan was for {$16000.00}. I have paid an aggregate amount of {$18000.00}. I still owe {$19000.00}. After 8 years of consistent payments, how is it possible that I still owe more than the original loan balance? What kind of interest rate gauging and manipulation is in practice in order for this to happen? How is it possible to be charged nearly 100 % interest for a loan?