AES/PHEAA Student Loan Complaint

AES/PHEAA Student loan department,

Non-federal student loan Can't repay my loan Can't get flexible payment options Ohio

I have a student loan with AES i have been paying on it since 2008. I have never missed a payment. I have never been late on a payment. even though I have never missed a payment my balance is still more than what I took my loan out for. When I have contacted AES on multiple occasions to ask for ways to get the balance down I have been told there is nothing they can do because my loan is paid up to date and not missing payments. I asked for a reduced interest rate to try to pay down the debt I was laughed at on the phone, and was told that the only way they will work with me is if i stop making payments and let my account fall behind they can then work with me until then I am on my own. I have a - credit score and do not think that I should have to ruin my credit to get assistance in trying to pay my debt down. When I asked would it help if I made more of a payment would the balance come down, I was told that not matter what I send it will come off the interest and not the balance until all the interest is paid back. I find it very hard that in 8 years nothing has come off my principle. I feel that no matter what I do AES will not let this loan be paid off. I feel as if I am drowning in this debt and cant tread water for very much longer with out giving up.