HO208VC

Building Skills for Financial Confidence

This course equips you with the knowledge and tools to help clients improve their financial well-being. You’ll learn how to assess financial concerns, set goals, and guide clients through budgeting, saving, borrowing, and protecting their assets. Through case studies, role-play, and self-assessment, you’ll practice applying financial coaching strategies across six pillars of financial capability. You’ll also learn how to design effective financial sessions tailored to client needs, build trust, and motivate clients to take action toward long-term financial stability. There is an exam with this course and participants must pass the exam with a minimum of 80%.

This course has 12 hours that count for certification renewal.

Hero Image

Guide clients to build financial confidence using practical tools and real-life coaching strategies.

Teach six pillars: goalsetting, income, spending, saving, borrowing, and protection for lasting stability.

Use interactive activities to help clients overcome challenges and achieve long-term financial well-being.

What to Expect

This faculty-led course takes place over four weeks and includes up to a 90-minute weekly live web conference session, self-paced online assignments and the use of peer discussion forums. Learners should expect to spend approximately four hours per week on course related reading and assignments. All required coursework is due by 11:59 p.m. PT on the designated day of class.

Learner Expectations

To get the most out of this course, please complete any pre-work by the deadlines provided, attend and actively participate in all live sessions, and review the lesson materials regularly. You’ll be asked to join collaborative activities, share your experience, and ask questions along the way. Be sure to manage your time so you can complete all required tasks on schedule.

Technical Expectations

To get the most out of this course, you should be comfortable using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Zoom. We recommend having two monitors during live sessions—it makes it easier to follow along and participate. A webcam (even the one built into your laptop works great) and knowing how to download and upload files will also come in handy.

Key Assignments

Throughout the course, you’ll complete key assignments that reinforce your learning and practical application. Activities for this course will include goal setting, understanding financial service fees, and using a case study, you will create a budget, a savings plan, also read and understand a credit report.

About

Instructor:
Maura Camosse-Tsongas

Maura Camosse Tsongas is a current faculty member at NeighborWorks America, teaching courses in affordable housing development, financial modeling, and community development. She has extensive experience in housing policy, program development, and community engagement. Maura holds a BA in African Studies from Mount Holyoke College and a Master’s in Environmental Science from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Policy from Northeastern University.

Real Voices, Real Impact

Our courses are built to strengthen your skills and help you apply new knowledge right away. Hear what past learners have shared about their experience and how it’s made a difference in their work.

I am new to affordable housing and this course has answered my questions as to how it works and the process of getting a project funded. The instructor was very knowledgeable and made learning easy

Lucinda P.

This course provided me with tools I can use in my daily activities with clients. It also gave me a broader perspective on how the market evolves and the various accessible options available depending on the situation. The more knowledge and education we acquire, the more we can multiply the benefits and services we offer to our labor market.Karina

Karina M.

This class was wonderful. I learned a lot and enjoyed every minute of it. It was so interactive and engaging.

Trina J.

Great class with an extremely knowledgeable instructor. Thanks so much!

Sharon W.

I learned so much in this course. The reading material was easy to understand. The instructor was great. He answered questions quickly. I appreciated the feedback I received from the instructor.

Michelle D.

Amazing how such a simple, clear explanation can make absorbing so much information feel effortless! This is exactly how learning should be! engaging and empowering!

Daynah G.

Great resources; actualized and valuable information. This experience motivate me to look for more information and be more specialized.

E. Garcia

Excellent instructor. She encouraged us to discuss our real life experiences and that helped us learn how to implement real experiences into our individual program.

Erica H.

Other courses that may interest you:

Looking to keep building your skills? Check out these related courses:

Course Catalog

HO209: Delivering Effective Financial Capability Programs

Gain the tools to deliver financial capability programs that truly work. You’ll learn how to engage clients, tailor services to their needs, and support them before, during, and after the program. Build your skills to help clients reach financial goals and improve financial health.

Learn More

HO310: Financial Coaching: Helping Clients Reach Their Goals

Strengthen your coaching practice by mastering techniques that enhance financial capability services. Build advanced skills in goal-setting, active listening, and behavior change to guide clients toward financial stability and long-term success.

Learn More

HO211: Credit Counseling for Maximum Results

Gain tools to deliver impactful credit counseling sessions. Learn to interpret credit reports, apply credit laws, and guide clients through credit challenges. Practice real-world strategies and explore ways to teach credit in your community. Ideal for counselors seeking practical skills to help clients build stronger financial futures.

Learn More