My parents took out private student loans with the now defunct XXXX XXXX XXXX back in 2006 with me as the primary account holder. At the time, the financial crisis was wreaking havoc on our lives and we were forced to take out loans with who ever would offer them in order for me to finish college. After I graduated, the company went bankrupt then split and sold off its loans to other holding companies. These companies either did not reach out to me, or reached out to me at old addresses. 

The splits and buy outs meant that I now had many more loans with many more companies. Having an unknown number of companies to find and contact about what debt I had with them made it very difficult to get my finances in order. As such, XXXX of my loans fell through the cracks and ended up with very large late fee and interest build ups as I did n't even know they existed. 

Since finding that I have these outstanding loans, I have done all I can to come into good standing with them via some type of rehabilitation program. XXXX company, AES, currently would like me to pay an outstanding $ 16,000+ before they will allow me to begin paying the loan amount of {$31000.00} + interest. They will not take any type of negotiation and at this point have assured me that I will be unable to make any progress with them unless the {$16000.00} is paid in full. As you can imagine, this is simply impossible for me. 

I am not looking for someone to step in and erase my debt. I knowingly took on the original loan, and I intend to pay for it as I should. I am however, looking for a way to be seen as something other than a dead beat for attending college. I went to school and worked as hard as I could to be successful in my field. Since graduating I have done just that, but have been treated like some kind of criminal due to these marks on my credit report. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.