Financial Education & Credit Counseling

Financial Education and Credit Counseling Services provide the member and their family with personalized financial and credit counseling services 24/7, 365 days per year. We provide access to counseling and financial education through a variety of delivery methods including telephone, online tools and live chat sessions.

Whether renting or buying a home, having problems with debt, or setting up a trust, this financial education program is designed to provide with the tools necessary to make better financial decisions. Personal financial guidance and education is provided by over 1,000 experienced financial counselors.

The following is an outline of the free services included with this program:

Free Financial Education & Credit Counseling Services:

• Free Consultations
  • A complete financial assessment will include a review and analysis of household income, expenses, assets and liabilities.

• Credit & Debt Counseling by Certified Credit Counselors
  • A credit counselor takes the time to thoroughly understand and assess current credit and debt issues. They will:
    • Assist in creating a livable budget to balance income and expenses
    • Provide specific advice on how to deal with creditors
    • Offer money management and budgeting techniques to help gain control of finances
    • Develop a comprehensive spending plan
    • Create an action plan to become debt free

• Housing Advisory Services
  • Offer money management and budgeting techniques to help gain control of finances
  • Post purchase counseling
  • Reverse mortgages - what are they and how do they work

• Online Tools & Articles
  • Access to online articles designed to inform, assist, educate and alert members in all areas of credit, money management and how to get help.
    • Online tools for budgeting
    • Articles designed to help make smart financial decisions
    • Articles designed to help with family financial and purchasing decisions
    • Web links to a wide variety of consumer resources on topics such as lending, credit reports, credit cards and vehicle purchasing and financing
    • Easy-to-use online calculators to help get finances back on track. Calculators are available to help with budgeting, and vehicle and home financing
    • Tests and quizzes to gain a better understanding of how to improve money management skills

• Money Choices
  • Five private self-paced courses, presented by Visa, that teach the skills needed for smart money management.

Financial Services Requiring a Small Fee:

Should the need arise to file for bankruptcy, our counselors are trained to take members through the mandated education courses, at a minimal fee, so that they can obtain the required certificate of completion prior to the courts granting the bankruptcy.

• Pre-Filing Bankruptcy Counseling Sessions:
  • Cover budgeting, wise money management and the advantages and consequences of filing bankruptcy
  • Familiarize the member with the bankruptcy process and discuss financial options
  • Issue certificate of completion allowing the member to proceed with the bankruptcy filing process

This is a formal course that would be "required" when filing for bankruptcy. The service provider is approved to issue certificates of compliance with the new bankruptcy codes, which certify the completion of the pre-bankruptcy education course. It is available in person, over the phone or online. The cost for this course is $50.

• Pre-Discharge Bankruptcy Education:
  • Education courses discuss budgeting, credit, predatory lending, available community resources and the Credit & Debt Education Package workbooks.
    • The cost for this is $50-individual, $75-joint.