Step 7

Step 7: Financial
Management Course

The second required course before discharge. When to take it, approved providers, and getting your certificate.

The Second Required Course

After filing, you must complete a debtor education course (officially called "Instructional Course Concerning Personal Financial Management") before receiving your discharge. This is different from the pre-filing credit counseling course.

The course must be completed after your filing date and before the discharge deadline (about 60 days after the 341 meeting in Chapter 7, or after plan completion in Chapter 13).

What It Covers

The course covers personal financial management topics: budgeting and money management, using credit wisely, saving and building an emergency fund, consumer protection tips, and planning for major purchases.

The content is more educational than the pre-filing counseling, which is primarily an evaluation. Most filers find the information basic but some tips are genuinely useful.

Providers, Cost, and Timing

Use providers approved by the U.S. Trustee Program (the list overlaps with pre-filing counseling providers). Cost: $15-50. Duration: approximately 2 hours. Available online, by phone, or in person.

Don't wait until the last minute. Your case cannot be discharged without this certificate. Complete the course within a few weeks of your 341 meeting to avoid delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I take the financial management course?
After filing but before discharge. In Chapter 7, complete it within a few weeks of your 341 meeting. In Chapter 13, complete it near the end of your plan (though many filers take it earlier).
Is this the same as credit counseling?
No. Credit counseling is the pre-filing course (evaluates your situation). The financial management course is the post-filing course (teaches budgeting and money management). Both are required.
What happens if I don't complete it?
Your case cannot be discharged. In Chapter 7, the court will close your case without a discharge. You would need to reopen the case and complete the course to obtain discharge.

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Last updated: April 2026. Not legal advice.

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