Post-Filing Debtor Education

If you are an internet client and have already been given a user name and password, please select the login button at the top right hand side of your screen to access your program.

If you are a Facilitator attorney and have already been given a user name and password, please select the login button at the top right hand side of your screen to access your web portal.

 

Summary

This page provides detailed information about the Institute’s bankruptcy related Post-Filing Debtor Education services. 

 

What do I need?

The Institute mails the Personal Finance Management workbook to the client the day after they are signed up for education.  The workbook is REQUIRED before participating in the Telephone or Home Study class, but is not required for the Internet class.  The Institute is also required to track all education programs by Bankruptcy Case Number.  In order for the certificate to be released, either the client or the Facilitator (if any) must provide this information.

 

How much does it cost

The cost of the Institute’s Post-Filing Debtor Education course is $50 for a household (single or couple) regardless of whether it is done through the internet, by telephone, through home study or in person.

 

How long will it take?

The United States Trustees and the Bankruptcy Administrators require the debtor education program to be a minimum of two hours long.

 

How does it work?

Internet Debtor Education (All Judicial Districts and States)

Internet debtor education is ideal for clients with internet access at home, a friend's house or the local public library. It uses a simple text interface so it is accessible even to older clients. The process for internet debtor education clients is as follows:

1. Client signs up for the program by calling 1-866-662-4932, or is signed up by a Facilitator.
2. Client receives their user name and password or an email with instructions on creating their own.
3. Client's Bankruptcy Case Number must be entered in the system before the client can begin.
4. Client logs in to the system using their unique user name and password to begin the program.
5. Client completes the online portion of the Debtor Education course in 2 hours.
6. Client calls the Institute (1-866-662-4932) to obtain their Certificate of Completion.
7. Client and Facilitator (if any) will then both receive the Certificate by email and be able to access it through their respective web portals
8. Client receives a workbook by Media Mail in 4-6 weeks so they will have a long term educational resource.
9. Client begins receiving a quarterly newsletter for one year, offering ongoing money management tips and encouraging life long financial education.

 

Telephone Debtor Education (All Judicial Districts and States)

Telephone Debtor Education is ideal for clients without internet access. The process for Telephone Debtor Education clients is as follows:

1. Client signs up for the program by calling 1-866-662-4932, or is signed up by a Facilitator.
2. Client receives their workbook, forms and instructions by First Class Mail in 7-10 business days.
3. Client's Bankruptcy Case Number must be entered in the system.
4. Client calls the Institute (1-866-662-4932) to schedule themselves for a telephone seminar that week.
5. Client attends the group telephone seminar for 2 Hours for a live lecture and Q&A.
6. Client completes the forms they received with their workbook and mails or faxes (207-221-3691) them to the Institute.
7. The Institute issues the Client's Certificate of Completion after receiving the client’s forms.
8. An educator will immediately fax, email or mail the Certificate to the client.
9. The Facilitator (if any) will receive the Certificate by email and be able to access it through their web portal.
10. Client begins receiving a quarterly newsletter for one year, offering ongoing money management tips and encouraging life long financial education.

 

Homestudy Debtor Education (All Judicial Districts and States)

Homestudy Debtor Education is ideal for clients without internet access, who are able to read at the eighth grade level or higher, and who may not be able to (or may not wish to) remain on a telephone for two hours. The Client MUST read the entire workbook, and will be asked questions about the material to ensure they have read it. The process for Homestudy Debtor Education clients is as follows:

1. Client signs up for the program by calling 1-866-662-4932, or is signed up by a Facilitator..
2. Client receives their workbook, forms and instructions by First Class Mail in 7-10 business days.
3. Client's Bankruptcy Case Number must be entered in the system.
4. Client reads the workbook in its entirety, which requires at least 90 minutes.
5. Client calls the Institute (1-866-662-4932) and speaks one-on-one with an educator for at least 30 minutes.
6. Clients will be asked questions about the material that they have read. If the educator determines from the
7. Client's responses that the Client has not read the workbook in good faith, the Client will be instructed to read the workbook and then call again, or given the option to change to Telephone Debtor Education.
8. Once instructed to do so by the educator, the Client mails or faxes (207-221-3691) the Institute the forms they received with their workbook.
9. The Institute issues the Client's Certificate of Completion after receiving the client’s forms.
10. An educator will immediately fax, email or mail the Certificate to the client.
11. The Facilitator (if any) will receive the Certificate by email and be able to access it through their web portal.
12. Client begins receiving a quarterly newsletter for one year, offering ongoing money management tips and encouraging life long financial education.

 

In Person Debtor Education (Maine Only)

1. Client calls 1-866-662-4932 to sign up for a class.
2. Client attends chosen class.
3. At the end of the class, the client is asked to complete a learning assessment and survey.
4. Client will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the class.
5. The Facilitator (if any) will receive the Certificate by email and be able to access it through their web portal.
6. Client begins receiving a quarterly newsletter for one year, offering ongoing money management tips and encouraging life long financial education.

Facilitators and Registered Attorneys automatically receive client certificates by email.  The Institute will also email or fax certificates to direct referral attorneys upon the client’s request, but the client is responsible for confirming their attorney received the certificate.

 

Pre-Filing Counseling
Learn more about the Institute’s bankruptcy related Pre-Filing Counseling services.

Get Started
Learn how to sign up for the Institute’s bankruptcy related services and what information you need to get started.

Bankruptcy FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the financial counseling and educational requirements for individuals filing bankruptcy and the Institute’s Bankruptcy Related Services.

Hours of Operation

Forms
A complete list of forms related to the Institute’s bankruptcy related services.