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Being Paid to Cosign a Loan, Contract to protect me from financial risk

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bulldog91

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Massachusetts

Hello, on my university's grad student page somebody posted the following message:

Friends, I am a Harvard Kennedy School MPAID first year student and I am seeking a permanent resident or US citizen loan co-signer to help me to attract a student loan for the 2nd (and last year). I am ready to pay 10% of the approved loan amount with up to $60,000 limit. (lower limits considered too).
We can discuss the exact terms.


(he is from Russia originally, apparently)

Now, upon seeing this, it sounded absurd and too good to be true--$6000 just to sign my name. But I did a few checks: we had several friends in common, and all of them vouched that he was in fact a Harvard Kennedy School student. So I emailed the guy, and he told me that he's coming from a lucrative job, and expects to have a lucrative job upon graduating, so paying the loan will not be an issue. Furthermore, he gave me a potential contract to look over that contains the following two clauses:

5) Mr. XXXXXX agrees to honor obligations under the Loan Agreement so that Mr. YYYYYYYY does not experience any expenses with regards to the Loan Agreement.
6) If Mr. YYYYYYY experiences any monetary expenses in accordance with the Loan Agreement, Mr. XXXXXXXXX should reimburse such expenses to Mr. YYYY immediately.


Obviously, my main concern with this proposal is the possibility that I will be left paying this man's debt. He seems to be a real person, however, and I am open to the possibility that he genuinely just need's a US citizen's signature. My question is, then: is the language in this contract sufficient to protect me from ANY potential risk from cosigning this loan? Is there any change to the language that could make me immune to any financial risk? He said he is open to changes in the language.
 
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quincy

Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Massachusetts

Hello, on my university's grad student page somebody posted the following message:

Friends, I am a Harvard Kennedy School MPAID first year student and I am seeking a permanent resident or US citizen loan co-signer to help me to attract a student loan for the 2nd (and last year). I am ready to pay 10% of the approved loan amount with up to $60,000 limit. (lower limits considered too).
We can discuss the exact terms.


(he is from Russia originally, apparently)

Now, upon seeing this, it sounded absurd and too good to be true--$6000 just to sign my name. But I did a few checks: we had several friends in common, and all of them vouched that he was in fact a Harvard Kennedy School student. So I emailed the guy, and he told me that he's coming from a lucrative job, and expects to have a lucrative job upon graduating, so paying the loan will not be an issue. Furthermore, he gave me a potential contract to look over that contains the following two clauses:

5) Mr. XXXXXX agrees to honor obligations under the Loan Agreement so that Mr. YYYYYYYY does not experience any expenses with regards to the Loan Agreement.
6) If Mr. YYYYYYY experiences any monetary expenses in accordance with the Loan Agreement, Mr. XXXXXXXXX should reimburse such expenses to Mr. YYYY immediately.


Obviously, my main concern with this proposal is the possibility that I will be left paying this man's debt. He seems to be a real person, however, and I am open to the possibility that he genuinely just need's a US citizen's signature. My question is, then: is the language in this contract sufficient to protect me from ANY potential risk from cosigning this loan? Is there any change to the language that could make me immune to any financial risk? He said he is open to changes in the language.
Sounds risky to me.
 

STEPHAN

Senior Member
Is there any change to the language that could make me immune to any financial risk?
There is nothing ever that could fully protect you. You are co-signing, you will always be responsible for the loan. He if stops paying or moves out of the country etc. you will be the one paying the loan. If he has cash why does he need the loan?
 

bulldog91

Junior Member
There is nothing ever that could fully protect you. You are co-signing, you will always be responsible for the loan. He if stops paying or moves out of the country etc. you will be the one paying the loan.
Got it--so any contract that purports to say otherwise is 100% worthless?
 

FlyingRon

Senior Member
Got it--so any contract that purports to say otherwise is 100% worthless?
Look at it this way, if he had the money to pay you under the contract, he'd have the money to pay back the loan. This alleged "contract" provides you ZERO protection.
 

STEPHAN

Senior Member
Got it--so any contract that purports to say otherwise is 100% worthless?
The loan issuer does not care about your agreement. They will collect from you (and maybe ruin your credit history).

Sure, you can try to enforce the contract. But that person might go back to Russia...

If he had the money, he would not need you.
 
If he he were to go sideways on the loan agreement with a lender, what on earth would make you think he would honor a side contract with you?
 

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