Enrollment for the First Bankruptcy Course (Credit Counseling) will be available once approval is granted.

First Bankruptcy Course
This course is taken before you file for bankruptcy.

Certificate upon Completion
Proof of credit counseling certification available immediately during business hours.

Fee Waiver Policy
Nationwide Bankruptcy Classes is committed to ensuring that counseling and debtor education services remain accessible to individuals regardless of their financial circumstances. Clients who are unable to afford the standard course fee may qualify for either a full fee waiver or a reduced fee based on household income, financial hardship, or inability to pay.

Nationwide Bankruptcy Classes will provide services without regard to a client’s ability to pay.

A client may qualify for a full fee waiver if the client’s current household income is less than 150% of the poverty guidelines established annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the applicable household size. Household income may include wages, self-employment income, unemployment income, retirement income, public benefits, spousal income, child support, or other sources of regular household financial support.

In determining eligibility for a fee waiver or fee reduction, Nationwide Bankruptcy Classes may also consider additional financial circumstances, including but not limited to:

• recent job loss or reduction in income,
• unexpected medical expenses,
• disability,
• temporary financial hardship,
• extraordinary living expenses,
• lack of available cash or savings,
• or other circumstances affecting the client’s ability to pay.

Clients whose income exceeds 150% of the federal poverty guidelines may still qualify for a reduced fee or partial waiver based on demonstrated financial hardship or inability to pay the full fee.

Nationwide Bankruptcy Classes may request reasonable documentation to verify household income or financial hardship when necessary. Examples of acceptable documentation may include:

• recent pay stubs,
• unemployment benefit statements,
• tax returns,
• benefit award letters,
• bank statements,
• or written explanation of financial hardship.

Clients may request a fee waiver or fee reduction at any time before, during, or immediately after the counseling session or instructional course. Requests may be made verbally, electronically, or in writing.

If a client qualifies for a fee waiver, Nationwide Bankruptcy Classes will provide services at no cost to the client. If a client qualifies for a reduced fee, the Agency will clearly disclose the reduced fee amount before services are provided.

Nationwide Bankruptcy Classes will not deny counseling or debtor education services solely because a client is unable to pay the full fee.

Clients may request a fee waiver prior to enrollment by contacting the Nationwide Bankruptcy Classes directly at nationwidebankruptcyclasses@gmail.com. 

Mandatory Disclosures – Budget and Credit Counseling Services

0001 Nationwide Bankruptcy Classes

These disclosures are provided pursuant to 28 C.F.R. § 58.20(l) and must be reviewed before the Agency provides any information to, obtains any information from, or provides any counseling services to a client.

1. Purpose of Credit Counseling Services

This counseling session satisfies the pre-petition credit counseling requirement under 11 U.S.C. § 109(h).

The budget and credit counseling session is intended to:

• review the client’s current financial condition,
• analyze income, expenses, assets, and liabilities,
• discuss alternatives to bankruptcy,
• provide budgeting and financial education information,
• and assist the client in developing a personal budget analysis.

Completion of a counseling session from an approved credit counseling agency is generally required before filing for bankruptcy relief under Chapters 7, 11, 12, or 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, unless otherwise exempted by law.

The Agency is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal representation, or legal services. The Agency cannot advise clients whether to file bankruptcy, which chapter to file, how to complete bankruptcy forms, or how bankruptcy may affect specific legal rights.

The Agency cannot guarantee any legal outcome, including whether a client will receive a bankruptcy discharge.

2. Fee Policy

The fee for the budget and credit counseling session is $11.95 per client, or $11.95 total for married clients filing jointly.

No additional fee is charged for issuance of the certificate of credit counseling.

All fees are disclosed before counseling services are provided.

3. Fee Waiver and Reduced Fee Policy

The Agency provides counseling services regardless of a client’s ability to pay.

Clients who are unable to afford the standard counseling fee may qualify for a full fee waiver or reduced fee based upon household income, financial hardship, or inability to pay.

A client may qualify for a full fee waiver if the client’s current household income is less than 150% of the poverty guidelines published annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services for the applicable household size.

In determining eligibility for a fee waiver or reduced fee, the Agency may consider:

• household income,
• household size,
• unemployment,
• recent reduction in income,
• medical hardship,
• disability,
• extraordinary expenses,
• lack of available cash or savings,
• or other financial hardship circumstances.

Clients whose income exceeds 150% of the federal poverty guidelines may still qualify for a reduced fee or partial waiver based upon demonstrated financial hardship.

The Agency may request reasonable documentation to verify household income or financial hardship, including:

• recent pay stubs,
• unemployment statements,
• tax returns,
• public benefit documentation,
• bank statements,
• or written explanation of hardship.

Requests for a fee waiver or reduced fee may be made verbally, electronically, or in writing before, during, or after the counseling session.

The Agency will not deny counseling services solely because a client is unable to pay the full fee.

4. Language Assistance Policy

The Agency provides free bilingual counseling services or professional interpreter assistance to clients with limited English proficiency when reasonably available.

Clients requiring language assistance should contact the Agency before beginning counseling services.

5. Funding Sources

The Agency is funded through client counseling fees and other lawful funding sources permitted under applicable law and regulations.

The Agency does not receive compensation for referring clients to bankruptcy attorneys.

6. Counselor Qualifications

Counseling sessions are conducted by trained and qualified counselors who have received education and training in budgeting, consumer credit, money management, bankruptcy counseling, and personal finance.

Agency counselors receive ongoing training designed to maintain competency in providing counseling services.

7. Potential Impacts on Credit Reports and Credit Scores

The Agency may discuss alternatives to bankruptcy or debt resolution options that could impact a client’s credit report or credit score.

Depending on a client’s financial situation, alternatives discussed during counseling may affect creditworthiness, credit availability, or future borrowing opportunities.

The Agency does not guarantee improvement in a client’s credit score or credit profile.

8. Referral Fee Policy

The Agency does not pay or receive referral fees for the referral of clients for counseling services, except as permitted under applicable law relating to fair share contributions.

9. Certificate of Credit Counseling

A certificate of credit counseling will only be issued after the client completes the required counseling services.

Upon completion, the certificate will be issued promptly and no later than one business day after completion of counseling services.

Certificates are delivered electronically unless otherwise requested.

The client is responsible for filing the certificate with the bankruptcy court unless otherwise required by the court.

10. Alternative Payment Schedules Under 11 U.S.C. § 502(k)

A client has the opportunity to negotiate an alternative payment schedule with regard to each unsecured consumer debt pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 502(k).

The Agency does not provide negotiation of alternative payment schedules under 11 U.S.C. § 502(k).

If requested, the Agency may refer the client to another approved agency or service provider. Clients referred to another provider may incur additional fees in connection with those services.

11. Disclosure Regarding United States Trustee Oversight

The Agency may disclose client information to the United States Trustee in connection with oversight activities, investigations of complaints, on-site visits, or quality of service reviews.

The United States Trustee has reviewed and approved only the Agency’s credit counseling services and, if applicable, debtor education services required under the Bankruptcy Code.

The United States Trustee has neither reviewed nor approved any other services the Agency may provide.

12. Privacy Policy

The Agency does not sell client information to third parties.

Client information is maintained in accordance with applicable federal laws and regulations.

13. Complaint Procedure

Clients who have concerns or complaints regarding the Agency’s services are encouraged to first contact the Agency directly so the matter may be reviewed and addressed. Clients may contact the Provider directly at nationwidebankruptcyclasses@gmail.com.  

If a client is dissatisfied with the Agency’s response, complaints may also be directed to:

Executive Office for United States Trustees
United States Department of Justice
441 G Street, NW, Suite 6150
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: (202) 307-1399

United States Trustee Program

Complaints may also be submitted to the United States Trustee serving the district in which the client’s bankruptcy case is filed.

14. Acknowledgment

By proceeding with registration or counseling services, the client acknowledges that these mandatory disclosures were provided and reviewed before counseling services were rendered and before information was obtained from the client.