With over 18 million veterans across the nation, credit holds significant importance for them, just as it does for everyone else. Your credit report can greatly influence your ability to buy a home, secure an auto loan, and even affect job opportunities in some cases. Maintaining good credit is crucial not only for accomplishing these goals but also for avoiding unnecessary expenses related to finance charges. Fortunately, there are organizations that provide free or low-cost credit counseling specifically for veterans, which can assist in improving their credit standing.
Why Credit Counseling
It’s estimated that Americans owe around $1.4 trillion in credit card debt. Add to that the debt that people have with student loans, car loans, mortgages, and other loans, and it can be a recipe for disaster. Many people know how to go about getting credit in the first place, but they don’t know how to maintain good credit or how to fix their credit when it’s poor. That’s where credit counseling comes in.
Rather than trying to figure out on your own how to fix your credit, you can get help from those who are familiar with it and know what it takes. There are numerous organizations that offer free or low-cost credit counseling to veterans, and going through that process can be life changing for someone who has poor credit or who wants to have great credit. The programs will help guide you through the process of what you need to do to address your credit needs and work your way toward having excellent credit.
Types of Free or Low-Cost Credit Counseling to Veterans
US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) – The VA offers financial counseling, which includes credit counseling, to veterans around the country. The program will help you evaluate your credit and devise a customized financial plan. They will help you get the basic guidance you need to know how to address your financial situation and credit, and how to make improvements. You can apply for the program online. To apply, click here.
Americas Debt Help Organization – They offer a program that will help veterans around the country. Run by a team of financial experts, they will help you come up with debt relief options and create a financial plan. Some of the options they offer with their credit counseling services include VA personal loans, and debt consolidation. They not only provide credit counseling to veterans, but they also provide the service to those who are active duty military. They can also help military spouses with credit counseling and addressing debt. You can apply for the program online. To apply, click here.
National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) – This national organization offers credit counseling to veterans and active duty military. Their low-cost credit counseling to veterans includes financial counseling, personal finance, debt management, bankruptcy support, and information for first-time homebuyers who are in veterans or in the military. Their services will help you plan to get rid of debt, buy a home, plant for retirement, and manage your finances. All of their credit counselors are certified. You can apply for their programs online. To apply, click here.
Clearpoint – This low-cost credit counseling to veterans is offered through the organization called Money Management International. They provide financial education, personalized courses and activities, and will help you devise a custom financial plan to help you achieve your goals. They also offer programs that cover credit counseling, debt management, housing, bankruptcy counseling, student loan counseling, and more. In addition to offering a wide range of education and financial workshops, they offer a program to help veterans and military members to reconnect and establish themselves once they return home from service. You can apply for their programs online. To apply, click here.
Veterans who are unsure how to create a great financial plan, plan for retirement, or how to eliminate their debt will benefit from credit counseling. The organizations that offer free or low cost credit counseling to veterans are the best place to start to turn things around and make financial goals. The assistance is there for those who need and are ready to address their financial issues, want to eliminate debt, or are ready to repair their credit.