Student loan sent to collections - Not on report, made payments for 6 mo., want to fight "fees"

[sammac]

I have read through much of the newbie section, and have read the transcripts/notes for Psychdocs lessons. However, I'm still a little unsure with how to proceed with this troublesome loan that got sent to collections. I have made payments for the last 9-10 months, and while I have received letters from the CA with the original creditor listed, I have not actually received any sort of validation/verification. I am particularly interested in

• Eliminating the $2,919.87 in collection fees.
• Reducing monthly payments to something closer to $60/month.

How can a Request for Verification letter help me here?
Can I claim to still be within the 30 days? Does it matter?
Can I, or should I, dispute?
Are there other options that I don't know about?

The Loan

2006 to 2007: $8,500 student loan through the State of Alaska Dept. of Education. Used in Alaska. I was a resident of Alaska at the time of loan. [i'm not sure what original interest rate was.]

2007 to Dec. 2011: Attend and finish college in Idaho. Gain residency. 6 month grace period begins.

Sep 2012: Entered repayment. Did not pay for whatever reason (poor and forgetful). Creditor would not grant forebearance or lower monthly payments.

Feb 2013: Get contacted via phone by a CA: Premiere Credit of North America, LLC. Principal had increased to $11,951. In addition, the CA said (via phone) collection fees of $2,910.87. Made a payment of $83, the "suggested minimum." [Girlfriend moved in so I had some money to spare]

March 2013: Start making payments of $102.47/mo.

July 2013: Join US Navy to pay down loans and reduce interest. Currently in Illinois.

Today, 20 Nov, 2013:

I called and tried to request a forebearance, to which CA said they couldn't grant such a thing but that they could stop processing payments. I'm skeptical that they will actually stop. The account they have only has $2.00 in it (I don't use it anymore) and I'm not sure how to guaruntee the CA won't charge it.

Principal balance is still $11,951.

Current interest in addition to principal of 11,951 is $458.27.
Total being requested by CA is $15,246.80.

**They have mentioned numerous times over the phone that they would be willing to reduce or drop all fees if I could get my bank to give a personal loan.

I also finally sent out SCRA letter and copy of enlistment contract requesting reduction to 6% APR.

I have also looked at my credit report:
The status is that it is in collection, $1,040 past due as of Sep 2013.
It is scheduled to continue until June 2019, so I think the SoL won't help me here.
The CA is not mentioned by name ANYWHERE in any report!!! Can this be of some help????
Of interest though is that my payments have been reported, although only $83/mo has been credited each month since MARCH 2013, and I definitely made a $83 payment on 1 February 2013 and then $102.47 in March. I'm guessing the CA is using the $19.47 difference towards "their" interest?