Take control of your debt and your credit.

Whether you are trying to raise your credit score, get a handle on student loans, or simply stop feeling behind, myWaypoint’s certified counselors help you build a clear, realistic plan, with no judgment and no pressure. Our credit and budget counseling is free for Pennsylvania residents, and it never lowers your credit score. Wherever you are starting, there is a path forward.

Where we can help

Credit health

We pull a legitimate credit report, explain what your score means, and show you concrete ways to raise it, such as paying on time, keeping balances low, and disputing incorrect information. A good score generally starts around 700 and an excellent score around 750, and the difference is real money: on the same car loan, a 550 score might pay around $3,199 in interest while a 720 score pays around $702.

Student loans

From FAFSA and repayment plans to deferment, forbearance, and forgiveness, we help you compare options and choose a manageable path. Most graduates carry at least $25,000 in student loan debt, and about 11% default within the first year, so if you are struggling, you are not alone, and the sooner you act the less you will owe.

Budget coaching

We help you build a spending plan you will actually stick to, set goals, and find the fastest way to pay down debt. You leave with a budget, a tracking tool, a current credit report, and a clear action plan.

Paying down debt

If debt is weighing on you, we help you build a realistic payoff plan. That usually starts with listing every balance, interest rate, and minimum payment, then choosing a strategy that fits you: putting extra money toward your highest-interest debt first to save the most over time, or clearing your smallest balances first for quick wins that keep you motivated. We help you find room in your budget to put toward debt and review options like consolidating or negotiating with creditors, so you can compare what each would mean for your budget and your credit.

What you receive:

A private session with a HUD-Certified Housing and Credit Counselor

A Tri-Merge Credit Report Review across all three reporting agencies

A Personalized Budget and Spending Plan covering income, expenses, assets, and debt

A Client Action Plan with concrete next steps tailored to your situation

Ongoing counselor support as your finances evolve

Frequently asked questions

Will credit counseling hurt my credit score?

No. Budget and credit counseling with myWaypoint does not lower your credit score. Reviewing your report and building a plan are private steps that lenders do not penalize. If you later choose a structured debt repayment plan, your report may note that an account is paid through a third party, but that notation does not reduce your score simply because you are getting help. Our goal is the opposite of harm: to help you strengthen your credit over time.

How can I improve my credit score?

The most reliable ways are paying every bill on time, keeping balances low relative to your limits, and disputing any incorrect information on your report. Your score reflects factors like payment history, total debt, and how many accounts you have open, and a good score generally starts around 700. myWaypoint’s counselors pull your full report, explain what is affecting your score, and build a step-by-step plan to raise it as quickly as your situation allows.

Can you help me with student loans?

Yes. myWaypoint’s counselors help you compare repayment, consolidation, deferment, forbearance, and forgiveness options and choose a plan you can manage. Federal loans usually carry interest in the range of 3% to 6%, while private loans can run higher, and choosing the wrong path can cost you. We help you understand your loans, protect your budget, and avoid default, whether you are just starting repayment or already behind.

Is there a cost to talk with a counselor?

No. myWaypoint’s credit, budget, and student loan counseling is free for Pennsylvania residents. We are a nonprofit, formerly the Credit Counseling Center, and our guidance is always judgment-free and in your best interest, never a sales pitch. The one exception across our services is bankruptcy counseling, which carries a modest fee with waivers available. Everything on this page is free.

Take the first step today.

A counselor will help you build a plan you can stick to.