If you aren't familiary with Sallie Mae count yourself lucky.

Sallie Mae provided my ex with a private student loan for approximately $16,000. I signed for this loan so it means that it's in my name but HE is listed as the student.

The crux of the issue is this.

original date: Sept 2001 (yes eleven years!!)
$15,950 @ a variable rate

current rate is 6% but will go back to 8.75% when I get back (or at least close to that)

Current amount owed is about $9,500. This loan normally costs me $190/mo but it's deferred because the company is working with me while I'm deployed.

I've been paying on this loan since the day it's been taken out (privates loans have NO grace periods).

We didn't know that the payments were only being applied to the interest and not the principal when we were making those payments. Now when I make payments they are towards the principal as well.

I'm not sure what to do about the loan:

Continue to pay $190 when the deferment is over until it's paid off (of course I would make more than the minimum eventually)

or

Pay $190 until I can make a lump sum payment which will completely deplete my savings (again paying more than the minimum)

or

pay a large amount on it and keep paying the $190 until it's paid off