It was really thoughtful of the U.S. Department of Education’s Direct Loans program to let Puck know that his student loan payments, which he starts making in August, are too low to cover interest payments, and that some of that interest was about to be capitalized and become part of the loan’s total. It wasn’t all that thoughtful toward the environment or the program’s bottom line, though, because they printed and mailed a letter inviting him to use a forty-four cent stamp to pay off seven cents in accrued interest.

“They helpfully direct me to spend $.45 to send them a check and get it
all sorted out, though,” Puck wrote to Consumerist. “I’m having a hard time convincing myself not
to tape a nickel and two pennies to my response.”

Or he could just not do anything, but imagine the untold suffering and skyrocketing interest that would result if he left those seven cents to be capitalized.

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.