She bought a prepaid debit card at Wal-Mart, authorizing Collection Technology to make the $325 monthly withdrawals. She visited churches to collect free bread and canned goods.

"I didn't know why it had to be such a high dollar amount," Noland said. "They have the power, I guess. You do what you have to do to make them happy."

Chris Van Dellen, CEO of Collection Technology in Monterey Park, California, referred questions about Noland's comments to the Education Department, which declined to discuss her case.

In October, Noland and her husband filed for bankruptcy. Last year, she qualified for the Education Department's income- based plan. Her monthly student-loan payment: zero.

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