Credit Smart

Description: Credit Smart teaches Lansing area families basic family finance.  The training provides participants with the information and skills needed to manage their money, save more effectively, seek credit wisely, and cure bad credit.  Participants who complete the Credit Smart Program can receive assistance in applying for mortgages and acquiring home loans.

Eligibility: Contact them to fill out an application to attend.

Cost: Free

Dates/Times: Classes are offered the last Tuesday and Thursday of each month.  Register by calling (517) 487-3775, x 103 or email education@bcfi.org

Contact Information: Black Child and Family Institute; 835 W. Genesee, Lansing, MI  48915.  Phone:517-487-3775 x 103; E-mail: Education @bcfi.org

Other Financial Seminars

Description: Financial seminars are offered by the following institutions.  Seminars include topics such as:

• Car Buying
• Credit Improvement
• Home Buying/Selling
• Teaching Children About Money
• Holiday Debt Maintenance
• Saving Tips
• Budgeting Tips
• Financial Goal Setting
• Identity Theft
• Small Business Information
• And Others…

Seminars offered by each institution will vary.

Financial Education Seminar Sources

• Option 1 Credit Union – Go to www.option1cu.org and look on the home page under Option 1 News for a link to New Financial Seminars. 
• CASE Credit Union – Go to www.casecu.org.  Information on seminars is located on the homepage. 
• Lansing Postal Community Credit Union – Go to www.lpcumi.com.  

Eligibility: Seminars are open to the public 

Cost: Most seminars are Free 

Dates/Times: Vary – See the websites for additional information 

Contact Information – See the websites for additional information

Money Management Seminar

Description: Financial literacy program.  1 1/2 hour evening seminars held in conjunction with the Eaton County MSU Extension offices and Eaton Federal Bank. 

Eligibility: Available to Eaton County residents. 

Cost: Free 

Dates/Times/ Locations: Call to find out when and where classes will be held. 

Contact Information: Housing Services for Eaton County; 319 S. Cochran, Charlotte, MI  48813.  Phone: (517)541-1180.  E-mail: hsec2@cablespeed.com

Earn It Back (Checking Account Assistance)

Description: CapCom Credit Union (formerly Capital Community Credit Union/LSI Financial) offers a program which is designed to help participants understand how checking accounts work.  Participants may currently be ineligible for checking account services due to a poor credit history.  It provides basic checking account instructions on check writing and balancing procedures.  We work together with program participants to review “how” mistakes are made, the costly consequences that result from those mistakes, and how to correct and apply best practice to check book management.  After successful completion of this “wellness” program, participants may be eligible, or in a better position to be eligible, for a “second chance” checking account with the credit union or a financial institution of their choice.

Eligibility: If a program participant is currently ineligible for checking account services due to poor history, i.e., ChexSystem record, they may volunteer to take the Earn It Back program, and with successful completion of this program, they may be eligible for a “second chance” checking account with the credit union or a financial institution of their choice.  Earn It Back is also available to our general membership at any time.

Cost: Program participation is free.

Dates & Times: Vary – call for more information.

Contact information:  Alicia Bruski (Marketing Coordinator) at 800-831-7380.