Pandemic Response Strategy FAQ

Yes, but please contact the Foundation for guidance in changing programs.

Ideally, yes. Each student will receive guided emails specific to their chosen program - Standard or Accelerated. If the student does not have a unique work email address, a personal email address is suggested.

Student understands that barring extraordinary circumstances, they will complete the full program in the provided time frame. If not completed, the student will be responsible for reimbursing the CSCUF for the original cost of the program, $550.  Please contact the foundation for more details depending on your extenuating circumstances.

Unfortunately, there is no specific answer to this. Everyone learns at a different level, reads at a different pace, and learns in different environments.

Please contact CUNA directly to schedule your exam.

It is recommended that a student reschedule a testing date four weeks out. Yes, students will have to pay $50 to re-take each exam. Please refer to CUNA’s website.

Each provider will host informational webinars/demos, thus allowing credit unions to make the best decision for their CU and its members.

Providers will cover all negotiated costs associated with the online educational platforms during their informational webinar/demos.

Unfortunately, the negotiated platforms with all three Providers are part of the Foundation’s Pandemic Response Strategy and only available to new clients. The CSCUF welcomes you to apply for a Financial Capability Fund grant in 2021 to help offset your program costs.

Your deadline to lock-in the special pricing with all three platforms is Dec. 31, 2020.

Due to capacity, the CSCUF is not offering additional grant assistance beyond subsidizing a portion of your first-year costs. However, if you choose to continue using the platform after year one, you are eligible to apply for a Financial Capability Fund grant.

Yes, your personal information will always remain confidential.

Please call the toll-free hotline at 888-456-2227. Please note that during their first call, credit union staff will need to state that they are with the Cornerstone Foundation, not their credit unions.

There is no spoken limit on how often you can contact your counselor. Based on the situation, you will most likely create a plan with your counselor.

BALANCE does not work directly with consumers. After the initial 12-months has expired and you wish to continue counseling, please contact CSCUF and we will assist you further.

Counseling lines will open on April 29, 2020, and be available at no cost to credit union staff for one full year, to April 29, 2021.

Sometimes, after doing a budget, it might be determined that a formal debt management plan (DMP) is the tool that is needed to get back on track. A debt management plan groups the unsecured debt into one payment, reduces interest rates, may reduce fees, and creates a 3- to 5-year repayment plan. Not every road leads to a DMP and all options (debt snowball, re-financing a loan, consolidating debt, increasing income, reducing expenses, etc.) are explored first. If a formal DMP is needed, there is a set-up fee and a monthly fee that covers the formal collection and distribution of funds from the consumer to the creditor. Set-up fees vary based on the state laws, but the average is $35-50. Monthly fees are based on the number of creditors managed and is usually capped at $50.