Financial Pathway is a nonprofit credit counseling and debtor education agency. We provide pre-filing credit
counseling and pre-discharge debtor education courses required under federal bankruptcy law.
Pre-filing credit counseling enrollment is currently closed while Financial Pathway's approval application is under review.
Approved to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of a Provider's services.
Financial Pathway — the operating name of American Financial Pathways Corporation — is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2025 to provide high-quality, affordable bankruptcy education. Learn more at /about.
The full mandatory disclosures for both programs appear below and are also available at
/mandatory-disclosures or by contacting us at the email or phone number above.
Pre-Filing Credit Counseling — Mandatory Disclosures
1. Fee Policy
The Agency's fee for credit counseling services is $39.99 per household. A reduced fee of $19.99 and a full fee waiver of $0.00 are available to clients who lack the ability to pay, as described below. The fee is per household: spouses enrolling jointly pay a single fee. The Agency charges no fee of any kind for the generation or issuance of a certificate, and no fee for the issuance of a replacement certificate.
2. Fee Waiver and Reduced Fee Policy
The Agency waives its fee in whole or in part whenever a client demonstrates a lack of ability to pay the fee. A client is presumed to lack the ability to pay if the client's household current income is less than 150 percent of the poverty guidelines published periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a household or family of the size involved in the fee determination. The Agency may rebut that presumption and charge a reduced fee only if, based on income information the client submits in connection with counseling services, the Agency determines the client is able to pay the fee in a reduced amount. The Agency may also waive or reduce its fee based on other considerations, including the client's net worth, the percentage of the client's income derived from government assistance programs, whether the client is receiving pro bono legal services in connection with a filed or anticipated bankruptcy case, or whether the combined current monthly income of the client and the client's spouse, multiplied by twelve, is equal to or less than the applicable amounts set forth in 11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(7). Counseling services are provided without regard to a client's ability to pay the fee.
3. Language Services
The Agency provides credit counseling in English only. The Agency does not at this time provide bilingual counseling services or professional interpreter assistance. If a client or potential client with limited English proficiency requests counseling in a language other than English, the Agency will expeditiously direct that individual to an approved agency that can provide counseling in the language of the individual's choice, at no charge to the individual.
4. Funding Sources
The Agency is funded by client fees and by charitable contributions. The Agency receives no fair share payments, creditor contributions, or referral fees of any kind.
5. Counselor Qualifications
Credit counseling is provided by Osa Renko, who holds counselor certification through the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors, with continuing education compliance current, and who is a licensed attorney.
6. Potential Impact on Credit Reports
Each alternative the Agency may discuss with a client may affect the client's credit report. Filing for bankruptcy is reported to consumer reporting agencies and may remain on a credit report for up to ten years for a chapter 7 case and up to seven years for a chapter 13 case, and may significantly reduce a credit score and affect the availability and cost of future credit, housing, and insurance. Entering into a debt management plan or other debt repayment plan may be reflected on a credit report, may result in accounts being reported as managed by a third party or as not paid as originally agreed, and may result in the closure of open credit accounts. Negotiating a settlement of a debt for less than the full balance may be reported as an account settled for less than the full amount owed. Continuing to make reduced or missed payments may be reported as delinquency. The Agency does not report and will not report to any consumer reporting agency any information concerning whether a client has received or sought credit counseling or personal financial management instruction.
7. Referral Fees
It is the policy of the Agency that the Agency neither pays nor receives referral fees for the referral of clients to or by the Agency. The Agency is not a party to any fair share agreement.
8. Certificate Issuance
The Agency has an obligation to provide a certificate to the client promptly upon completion of counseling services. The Agency will send the certificate no later than one business day after the client completes counseling services.
9. Alternative Payment Schedules
The client has the opportunity to negotiate an alternative payment schedule with regard to each unsecured consumer debt under terms as set forth in 11 U.S.C. § 502(k). The Agency does not provide this service. The Agency may refer the client to another approved agency in the appropriate federal judicial district that provides this service, and the client may incur additional fees in connection with such a referral.
10. Disclosure to the United States Trustee
The Agency might disclose client information to the United States Trustee in connection with the United States Trustee's oversight of the Agency, or during the investigation of complaints, during on-site visits, or during quality of service reviews.
11. Scope of United States Trustee Review
UST has reviewed only the agency's counseling/instructional services and has neither reviewed nor approved other services the agency may provide.
12. Completion Required
Client will receive certificate only if client completes counseling.
Approval Status
American Financial Pathways Corporation's pre-filing credit counseling program is currently under review by the Executive Office for United States Trustees and is not yet approved. Credit counseling enrollment is closed until approval issues. For a list of currently approved credit counseling agencies, visit www.justice.gov/ust.
Pre-Discharge Debtor Education — Mandatory Disclosures
Provider Qualifications
Our certified instructor, Osa Renko, is an attorney licensed in Indiana; in his role as a debtor education instructor, Mr. Renko provides education and information, not legal representation. If you need legal advice or representation, you should hire an attorney licensed in your state of residence.
Bilingual Services
American Financial Pathways Corporation is committed to serving clients regardless of language barriers. Currently, all instructional services are provided in English; we plan to include Spanish-language education materials in our offerings shortly.
Fee Policy and Fee Waiver
American Financial Pathways Corporation charges the following fees for the Pre-Discharge Debtor Education course:
- Standard Fee: $29.99 per household
- Reduced Fee (if you qualify): $14.99 per household
- Fee Waiver (if you qualify): $0.00 (free)
Spouses filing jointly complete one joint course and pay a single fee.
There are NO hidden fees or additional charges for certificate issuance.
Household current income below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size by itself creates a presumption of a full fee waiver. That presumption may be rebutted only by a staff determination, based on the income information you submit, that you are able to pay a reduced amount (there is no minimum reduced amount). A waiver or reduction may also be granted based on your net worth, the percentage of your income that comes from government assistance, your receipt of pro bono legal services in connection with a filed or anticipated bankruptcy case, an in forma pauperis fee waiver granted by the bankruptcy court in your filed case, or combined current monthly income times twelve at or below the applicable 11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(7) thresholds.
To request a free or reduced fee, send documentation by email to info@financialpathway.org including at least one of these: a copy of your benefit card or award letter (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, etc.); a copy of a court order showing in forma pauperis status; a recent pay stub, tax return, or unemployment statement showing your income; or a written statement explaining your financial hardship if you cannot provide other documents.
Potential Impact on Credit Reports
Filing for bankruptcy may have a significant impact on your credit reports. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing can remain on your credit report for up to 10 years from the filing date. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy can remain on your credit report for up to 7 years from the filing date. A bankruptcy filing may make it more difficult to obtain credit, housing, or employment during that period.
Entering a Debt Management Plan (DMP) may also impact your credit reports. Creditors may note that you are participating in a DMP, which could affect your credit score. Accounts enrolled in a DMP may be closed, reducing your available credit and potentially lowering your credit score. However, consistent on-time payments through a DMP can help rebuild your credit over time.
How We Protect Your Information
American Financial Pathways Corporation is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal and financial information.
What information we collect: personal information (name, address, date of birth, Social Security number); contact information (email, phone number); financial information (income, expenses, debts, assets); and information about your financial situation.
How we use your information: to provide instructional services to you; to issue your certificate of completion; to comply with EOUST reporting requirements (anonymized data only); and to improve our services through evaluation and research (anonymized data only).
We will NOT sell your personal information to third parties, share your information with creditors without your permission, use your information for marketing purposes, or disclose your information except as described below.
We may disclose your information only in these limited circumstances: to you, on request for a copy of your file; with your written consent to share with specific third parties; to law enforcement if required by law or court order; to prevent serious harm; to EOUST as anonymous statistical data (no personally identifying information); and to our service providers under strict confidentiality agreements, only to the extent necessary.
How we protect your information: all information is transmitted using secure, encrypted connections (256-bit SSL); information is stored on secure servers with restricted access; only authorized personnel have access on a need-to-know basis; electronic records are password-protected and encrypted; and we conduct regular security audits and updates.
Data retention: we retain your records for at least 2 years as required by EOUST regulations, after which we securely destroy records in accordance with our Document Retention Policy.
Questions about privacy: contact info@financialpathway.org. Our complete Privacy Policy is available at www.financialpathway.org/privacy, and you will receive a copy during registration.
About American Financial Pathways Corporation
American Financial Pathways Corporation is organized as a nonprofit corporation under Indiana law and is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization operating exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. We are governed by an independent board of directors who serve without compensation and do not financially benefit from course outcomes. Our mission is to provide quality financial education to individuals facing financial hardship, to help clients understand their options and make informed financial decisions, and to serve all clients regardless of ability to pay.
EOUST Approval Statement
Approved to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of a Provider's services.
Our approval status can be verified at www.justice.gov/ust.
Funding Sources
American Financial Pathways Corporation's operations are funded through the founder's personal capital contributions and client fees (collected in accordance with our fee policy). We do not currently solicit or accept donations, grants, or other third-party funding. We maintain complete financial independence to ensure our services remain objective and free from external influence.
Referral Fee Policy
American Financial Pathways Corporation does NOT pay or receive referral fees. We do not pay attorneys, websites, or any other persons or entities to refer clients to us; we do not receive payment from creditors, debt settlement companies, bankruptcy attorneys, or any other entities for referring clients to them; and we do not participate in any lead-generation or client-referral programs. Our instructors receive no commissions, bonuses, or incentives based on course outcomes or client decisions.
Certificate Issuance
American Financial Pathways Corporation has an Obligation to provide your certificate promptly upon completion of the course. You will receive a certificate only if you complete the course.
There is NO additional fee for certificate issuance; it is included in the course fee.