The City of Tyler Neighborhood Services Department has joined forces with Tyler Junior College (TJC) and Southside Bank to offer credit counseling courses to families who are a part of the Neighborhood Services Homebuyers Program or Section 8 Housing Program. On Thursday, July 22, 12 students will complete the class and have a question and answer session with a lender.

The credit counseling class is comprised of four sections offered from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at TJC’s West Campus. The classes covered a variety of subjects including:

• The definition of credit and debit;
• The basics of interest, finance charges and balances relevant to credit;
• Who grants credit and the benefits of establishing credit;
• Credit reports;
• The benefits of “good credit”;
• How to protect credit information;
• Signs of “credit stress”;
• Means of resolving credit problems;
• How planning helps avoid credit problems;
• How credit affects long-term goals; and,
• Strategies to prevent identity theft.

“I’m pleased that the City was able to partner with Tyler Junior College and Southside Bank to offer these classes to our clients,” said Brenda Johnson, director of Neighborhood Services. “Educational programs like these complement the programs we provide and are a great benefit to our community.”

Students who successfully complete the class will receive one hour of continuing education credit from TJC. The curriculum for the credit counseling classes was developed by Southside Bank and is taught by one of their employees.

Thursday marks the end of the first training class; the next class is scheduled to be held in August. The cost of the class is $25; the City of Tyler Neighborhood Services Department covers this fee for their clients.

For more information please call Raynesha Hudnell, homebuyer specialist at (903) 531-1311.