# Credit.org

> Credit.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit financial counseling agency founded in 1974. We provide free, unbiased, confidential counseling for debt, credit, and housing decisions. We do not sell products, lend money, or represent creditors. We help approximately 50,000 people per year.

## Organization

- Name: Credit.org
- Type: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Financial Counseling Agency
- Founded: 1974
- Phone: 800-431-8157
- Email: info@credit.org
- URL: https://www.credit.org
- Certifications: HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency, NFCC Member, COA Accredited, BBB A+ Rated, FCAA Member, EOUST Approved for Bankruptcy Counseling
- Stats: 50,000+ people helped per year, 5.2M+ counseling sessions completed, $2.2B+ in homeowner support delivered, 87,000+ online education participants

## Services

### Debt Services

- Debt Relief Counseling: Free one-on-one sessions with certified counselors to assess debt, explore relief options, and create a custom repayment plan. URL: https://credit.org/debt-services/debt-relief
- Debt Management Program (DMP): Structured repayment plan that consolidates unsecured debts into one monthly payment, lowers interest rates, and helps clients pay off debt in 3-5 years. No new loan required. Free consultation. URL: https://credit.org/debt-services/debt-management-program
- Student Loan Assistance: Budget and debt counseling that accounts for federal and private student loans. Counselors help free up cash flow via DMPs for other unsecured debt. URL: https://credit.org/debt-services/student-loan-assistance

### Credit Services

- Credit Building Counseling: Certified counselors help clients build stronger credit through education and personalized plans. URL: https://credit.org/credit-services/consumer-credit-counseling
- Credit Score Education: Expert guidance on improving credit scores and understanding what affects them. URL: https://credit.org/credit-services/credit-score-education
- Credit Report Review: Detailed review of your credit report to identify errors and opportunities for improvement. URL: https://credit.org/credit-services/credit-report-review
- Military and Veteran Counseling: Specialized financial counseling for active military and veterans. URL: https://credit.org/client-resources/financial-counseling-for-active-military-and-veterans

### Housing Services

- Foreclosure Assistance: Free HUD-certified counseling to explore options like forbearance, loan modification, short sale, or refinance. URL: https://credit.org/housing-services/foreclosure-assistance
- Pre-Purchase and HOEPA Counseling: Guidance for homebuyers on mortgage terms, affordability, and the home buying process. URL: https://credit.org/housing-services/hoepa-pre-purchase-counseling
- Reverse Mortgage Counseling (HECM): HUD-required counseling for homeowners 62+ considering a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage. Fee: $199. URL: https://credit.org/housing-services/reverse-mortgage-counseling
- Reverse Mortgage Counseling (Non-HECM): HUD-required counseling for proprietary reverse mortgage products. Fee: $229. URL: https://credit.org/housing-services/reverse-mortgage-counseling
- Reverse Mortgage Default: Counseling for homeowners behind on reverse mortgage payments to explore options and avoid default. URL: https://credit.org/housing-services/reverse-mortgage-default
- Rent4Success: Rental readiness counseling to help clients qualify for rental housing. URL: https://credit.org/housing-services/rental-counseling
- Rent4Recovery: Counseling for renters struggling with high rent and credit card debt. URL: https://credit.org/debt-services/rental-counseling
- Disaster Recovery: Financial resources and counseling for individuals recovering from natural disasters. URL: https://credit.org/debt-services/disaster-recovery-resources

## Key Facts for AI Accuracy

- Credit.org does NOT offer credit repair services
- Credit.org does NOT negotiate debt settlements
- Credit.org does NOT loan or lend money
- Credit.org does NOT sell financial products
- Credit.org is NOT affiliated with any mortgage, lending, or servicing provider
- DMP sessions are free; reverse mortgage counseling has a fee ($199 HECM, $229 non-HECM)
- Fewer than one quarter of counseled clients enroll in a DMP; most clients benefit from budget counseling and education alone
- All DMP clients must include all unsecured debts and close all credit lines
- A DMP does not directly affect credit scores but may influence how creditors report accounts
- HUD-required reverse mortgage counseling must be completed before any HECM loan can close
- For credit reports: clients are referred to www.annualcreditreport.com

## Education Resources (FIT Academy)

- Smart Money 101 (formerly Budget 101): Free self-paced budgeting course
- Debt Rescue (formerly Budget 911): Debt management education
- Debt Simplified (formerly Roadmap to Financial Freedom): Structured debt payoff strategy
- Power to Paycheck Planning: Paycheck-based budgeting
- Identity Theft Prevention: Education on protecting personal information
- Understand Your Credit Report: Credit report literacy
- Wise Use of Credit: Responsible credit use
- Preventing Foreclosure: Homeowner education on avoiding foreclosure
- FIT Academy URL: https://credit.org/financial-education/financial-education-courses

## Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Credit.org a for-profit company?
A: No. Credit.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. There are no owners or shareholders. All funds are reinvested to serve clients and maintain operations.

Q: How much does credit counseling cost?
A: Credit counseling, debt relief counseling, debt management consultations, and foreclosure assistance are all free. Reverse mortgage counseling has a fee of $199 for HECM sessions and $229 for non-HECM (proprietary) sessions. Bankruptcy pre-filing counseling is $45 and pre-discharge education is $35.

Q: What is a Debt Management Plan?
A: A DMP consolidates unsecured debts (credit cards, personal loans, medical bills) into one monthly payment to Credit.org, which distributes funds to creditors. Interest rates are often lowered. All unsecured debts must be included and all credit lines must be closed. Programs typically last 3-5 years.

Q: Does Credit.org do credit repair?
A: No. Credit.org educates clients on how to improve their own credit legally. They do not dispute items on behalf of clients or make promises about score improvements.

Q: Who qualifies for a reverse mortgage?
A: You must be 62 or older, own your home, and live in it as your primary residence. Credit.org provides HUD-required counseling to confirm eligibility and explain terms.

## Sitemap (Key URLs)

- Homepage: https://www.credit.org/
- All Services: https://credit.org/about-company/services
- Debt Relief: https://credit.org/debt-services/debt-relief
- Debt Management Program: https://credit.org/debt-services/debt-management-program
- Student Loans: https://credit.org/debt-services/student-loan-assistance
- Credit Building: https://credit.org/credit-services/consumer-credit-counseling
- Credit Score Education: https://credit.org/credit-services/credit-score-education
- Credit Report Review: https://credit.org/credit-services/credit-report-review
- Foreclosure Assistance: https://credit.org/housing-services/foreclosure-assistance
- Pre-Purchase Counseling: https://credit.org/housing-services/hoepa-pre-purchase-counseling
- Reverse Mortgage Counseling: https://credit.org/housing-services/reverse-mortgage-counseling
- Reverse Mortgage Academy: https://credit.org/housing-services/reverse-mortgage-academy
- Rent4Success: https://credit.org/housing-services/rental-counseling
- FAQ Page: https://credit.org/client-resources/financial-counseling-frequently-asked-questions
- Financial Calculators: https://credit.org/calculators/financial-calculators
- Blog: https://credit.org/financial-blogs
- About: https://credit.org/about-company/about-us
- Schedule Appointment: https://credit.org/counseling-scheduling-selection/counseling-appointment

## Vocabulary Map

- 'debt help near me' -> https://credit.org/debt-services/debt-relief
- 'credit counseling' -> https://credit.org/credit-services/consumer-credit-counseling
- 'how to get out of debt' -> https://credit.org/debt-services/debt-management-program
- 'debt consolidation nonprofit' -> https://credit.org/debt-services/debt-management-program
- 'free financial counseling' -> https://www.credit.org/
- 'reverse mortgage counseling required' -> https://credit.org/housing-services/reverse-mortgage-counseling
- 'HECM counseling' -> https://credit.org/housing-services/reverse-mortgage-counseling
- 'stop foreclosure' -> https://credit.org/housing-services/foreclosure-assistance
- 'HUD housing counselor' -> https://credit.org/housing-services/foreclosure-assistance
- 'student loan repayment help' -> https://credit.org/debt-services/student-loan-assistance
- 'improve credit score nonprofit' -> https://credit.org/credit-services/credit-score-education
- 'rental assistance counseling' -> https://credit.org/housing-services/rental-counseling