Disclosures
Disclosures and Privacy Policy
Financial Education Associates Housing Counseling Disclosure and Privacy Notice
Effective date: 10/1/2026
Version: V10126
1. Our Services
Financial Education Associates (FEA) provides First Time Homebuyer Education and Counseling, Landlord Education and Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post Purchase Education and Counseling, Money Management Education.
Our housing counseling helps clients understand their housing and financial circumstances, consider available options, and make informed decisions. Counseling does not guarantee loan approval, housing, financial assistance, or a particular outcome.
2. Financial Relationships and Funding
FEA has financial relationships with the City of Boston and Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), which subsidize class costs for clients participating in their housing programs or using their products.
FEA also receives grants from banks and other financial institutions to support general community programming. These grants are not tied to individual participants or referrals. Our current financial institution funders are Dedham Savings, Eastern Bank, First Citizens Bank, M&T Bank, Needham Bank, Webster Bank, Movement Mortgage. All relationships are grant application acceptance based.
FEA does not receive referral fees or compensation for directing clients to service providers.
We also partner with community organizations to provide educational resources to the community.
3. Your Freedom to Choose
You are not obligated to receive, purchase, or use any other services or products offered by FEA or its funders or industry partners to receive housing counseling.
You may choose your own lender, real estate professional, home inspector, and other service providers. FEA provides information about relevant alternative services, programs, and products.
Eligibility for a particular class subsidy may depend on participation in the program providing that subsidy.
4. Home Inspection Materials
If you are considering purchasing a home, please open and save these HUD materials before acknowledging receipt:
If you already received both materials in an FEA class, you may acknowledge that prior receipt. If you cannot access either document or need an accessible format, contact [PHONE AND EMAIL] before completing the acknowledgement.
5. Fees and Fee Waivers
Client intake is free.
Our counseling and education fees are listed on our website: https://www.money-classes.com/courses
We explain applicable fees before providing services. If you cannot afford a counseling fee, we will provide counseling without charge. Contact info@money-classes.com to request a fee reduction or waiver.
We do not charge clients for any portion of a service already paid for with HUD housing counseling grant funds.
Third Party Credit Report Fees
FEA does not charge its own fee for credit reports. When a credit report is needed, we use Project Own/Rooted an independent provider that charges $24 per report. Payment is made directly to the vendor.
We explain the fee and obtain your authorization before ordering a report. FEA does not receive a referral fee or commission from the provider.
Inability to pay will not prevent you from receiving housing counseling.
Acknowledging this disclosure does not authorize FEA or the vendor to obtain your credit report.
6. Information We Collect and Use
FEA collects information needed to provide services, evaluate housing and financial circumstances, develop action plans where applicable, make referrals, follow up, and meet reporting requirements.
This may include contact information, household and demographic information, income, expenses, assets, debts, and records of services provided.
We obtain information directly from you and, when authorized, from outside sources.
7. Confidentiality and Sharing Information
We protect your personal and financial information and restrict access to authorized personnel. We use physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards and require our client management systems and service providers to protect confidentiality.
HUD may review client records for program monitoring and oversight. We may also disclose information when required by law. Other disclosures of confidential information to lenders, creditors, funders, project partners, or other outside parties require your express authorization.
An authorization will identify the recipient, information to be shared, and purpose. You may decline or revoke authorization for future disclosures by contacting info@money-classes.com. Declining does not prevent you from receiving housing counseling, although it may limit a particular service requiring communication with an outside party.
We share credit-report information only when legally and contractually permitted. We do not sell or rent your personal information or share it with third parties for their marketing or lead generation. We may use or share aggregated information that does not identify individual clients.
We retain records as required by applicable HUD requirements, grant conditions, laws, and legal holds.
8. Accessibility and Language Assistance
To request interpretation, translation, an accessible format, a reasonable accommodation, assistance completing a form, or an alternative to electronic acknowledgement, contact info@money-classes.com.
You do not need to disclose a medical diagnosis to request assistance. If you request in-person counseling and FEA cannot provide it, we will refer you to a participating agency that can.
9. Text Messaging Terms
With your separate consent, Financial Education Associates may send SMS or MMS messages to the mobile number you provide concerning counseling appointments, reminders, scheduling changes, and service-related follow-up.
Message frequency varies based on your appointments and service needs. Message and data rates may apply.
Reply STOP to unsubscribe or HELP for assistance. You may also contact info@money-classes.com. After opting out, you may receive a confirmation of your unsubscribe request.
Texting consent is optional and is not a condition of purchasing services, receiving counseling, or booking an appointment. Providing your phone number or acknowledging this notice alone does not enroll you in text messaging.
These terms cover service-related messages only. Promotional or marketing messages require separate appropriate consent. Please notify FEA if your mobile number changes. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
10. Mobile Information Privacy
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging opt-in data and consent will not be sold, rented, or shared with third parties for their own purposes.
We may provide information to service providers solely as necessary to operate our messaging service, subject to confidentiality protections, or disclose information when required by law. These limited disclosures do not authorize another organization to text you.
11. Questions and Copies
For questions, a copy of this notice, corrections to your information, or requests concerning an authorization, contact:
Financial Education Associates
184 Dudley Street, Suite 200, Boston MA 02119
888-839-0963
info@money-classes.com
Housing Counseling Agreement
I understand that FEA provides confidential pre-purchase and post-purchase housing counseling after which I will receive an written Action Plan consisting of recommendations for handling my finances, possibly including referrals to other housing agencies as appropriate.
I understand that FEA is a HUD approved, non-profit housing counseling agency that is in partnership with my lender, servicer or insurer and may require that FEA share my information with my servicer to better assist me. I authorize my lender, servicer or insurer to share my information with FEA. Funding comes from HUD, lender partners, and private foundations.
I may be referred to other housing services of the organization or another agency or agencies as appropriate that may be able to assist with particular concerns that have been identified. I understand that I am not obligated to use any of the services offered to me.
A counselor may answer questions and provide information about bankruptcy but not give legal advice. If I want legal advice, I will be referred for appropriate assistance. While an attorney can make a recommendation to file bankruptcy, it is a personal choice based on individual circumstances.
I understand that in the event I am dissatisfied, I can request a copy of the Complaint Resolution Process, a copy of which is available upon request.
I understand that FEA provides information and education on numerous loan products and housing programs, and I further understand that the housing counseling I receive from FEA in no way obligates me to choose any of these particular loan products or housing programs.
I acknowledge that I received, reviewed, and agree to FEA’s Housing Counseling Agreement.