Credit Card Certification Course for Young People Ages 21 and under: Credit When Credit is Due Recognized Nationwide, Course is Now Online

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new credit card certification course for young people facing new credit card restrictions is being made available online by the Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE), a San Diego based nonprofit organization. The course is the widely acclaimed credit education program, Credit When Credit is Due (CWCID). It is recognized by credit counselors, lenders and credit reporting agencies. The new reforms that take effect in February prevent issuers from extending credit to those younger than 21 unless they show they have the means to pay the bills or they have a co-signer, such as a parent. Card issuers also will need a co-signer's approval to increase credit limits of a cardholder younger than 21.

Credit When Credit is Due (CWCID) is a twelve lesson program targeted towards first time credit seekers. There is a test at the end of each chapter. Parents being asked to co-sign for credit cards and young people seeking first time credit will find CWCID a big advantage. Successful students receive information about their CWCID completion which may be sent to credit reporting agencies and presented to potential lenders.

Nationwide, over 72,500 people have completed the CWCID program. About 400,000 CWCID text books have been distributed. The graduates are entitled to a number of benefits as their reward for investing in such comprehensive credit education. In addition, a recent study released by Dr. John Usera, of the Institute for Educational Leadership & Evaluation (IELE), reports a strong correlation between completion of Credit When Credit is Due and increased credit scores. Many credit and debt counseling organizations require their clients to take CWCID as part of their credit re-hab clinics.

Online enrollment is simple, go right to the ICFE’s website. The course fee is $40. Students will receive a user name and password to the CWCID website and the online format. Students may take the course at their own speed. For more information about CWCID online, please visit: www.icfe.info.

Course content:

The 12 lessons included in the Credit When Credit is Due course are:

Lesson One: The Facts Of Life

What you need to know to get along as a financially responsible adult.

Lesson Two: Living On The Edge

How to budget and save your money, and plug your spending leaks.

Lesson Three: To Borrow Or Not To Borrow

How to decide if you should pay cash or borrow the money you need.

Lesson Four: So You Have Decided To Borrow Some Money

How to get through the credit-granting process once you decide to borrow.

Lesson Five: The Terms Of The Deal

How to determine if you are getting the deal you have bargained for.

Lesson Six: Auto Loans And Leases

One of the toughest deals to negotiate.

Lesson Seven: Home Sweet Home

The largest debt you are likely to ever have.

Lesson Eight: Credit Cards And Other Loans

What you need to know about credit cards, personal signature loans, etc.

Lesson Nine: You've Got Trouble When

How to tell you when you may have a problem.

Lesson Ten: When You Fall Behind

Dealing with delinquency and bill collectors.

Lesson Eleven: Bankruptcy

The ultimate credit overload

Lesson Twelve: Building And Rebuilding Your Credit

How to establish good credit when you have no credit history or even a bad credit past.