XX/XX/XXXX my balance at Discover Student Loans was roughly $ XXXX. Since then I have paid about $ XXXX in total payments ; $ XXXX towards interest and $ XXXX to principal. XX/XX/XXXX my pay off balance is roughly $ XXXX, not sure how $ XXXX of payments resulted in only $ XXXX reduction of the total balance. I have taken every action to help me lower all expenses and maximize my income, but still struggle to pay the min. monthly payment of {$850.00}. Other loan servicers like XXXX XXXX and XXXX have helped me lower my interest to help me with my overall balance. XXXX XXXX provided rate reduction programs which brought my interest from 11 % to 3-4 %, but Discover claims they are legally obligated to not change the terms on my loans? As an XXXX-XXXX yr old I was told after 24 payments I could have my co-signer released from my loans, but now Discover is claiming after 24 months I can " apply '' to have my co-signer released. I continued to do my best to not default on these loans, because I was hoping I could have my co-signer released from this loan so that when I went to a 3rd party for consolidation we would get approved. In efforts to not default I have had to put a lot of expenses on credit cards. Doing this has caused my credit score to drop because of high utilization rates ; this hinders me from being approved for loan consolidations. I have applied for consolidation through various different banks and credit unions ( before high revolving credit issue ) but was turned down because " loan amount is too close to principal amount. '' How I am supposed to go to a 3rd party, as Discover is so willing to suggest, if I wo n't get approved? My co-signer makes about $ XXXX a yr and with this original Discover Student Loans balance on their credit it is unlikely we get approved for another $ XXXX loan. I need help in understanding how Discover is allocating my payments? At this rate I do not feel as if my loans will be paid off in the term. I would like Discover to help me reduce interest rates for a short time to help me lower principal so I can qualify for a 3rd party loan consolidation.