At a Glance
Rating Breakdown
About Apprisen
Apprisen (formerly Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Ohio) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1955 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. With nearly 70 years of continuous operation, Apprisen is one of the longest-running credit counseling agencies in America. They offer credit counseling, debt management plans, housing counseling, and financial education to consumers across the Midwest and nationwide. Apprisen's longevity is meaningful for a specific reason: their creditor concession rate history stretches back decades, and they have maintained uninterrupted relationships with every major card issuer. While concession rates are standardized by creditors across NFCC agencies, agencies with historically strong relationships occasionally receive faster processing times for enrollment and quicker resolution of payment disputes. What distinguishes Apprisen from larger agencies is their operating model. As a mid-sized nonprofit, they handle enough volume to maintain full creditor relationships but are small enough that clients typically work with the same counselor throughout their program. Their employer-sponsored financial wellness programs are also a notable service line — they partner with companies to provide free financial education to workforces, which serves a dual purpose: community service and a referral pipeline for employees who discover during a workshop that they need more intensive debt help.
Key Features
Nearly 70 Years of Continuous Operation
Founded in 1955, Apprisen has survived every economic cycle from the stagflation of the 1970s to the 2008 financial crisis. This longevity provides institutional knowledge that younger agencies simply do not have — particularly in understanding how creditors adjust concession programs during recessions.
Employer-Sponsored Financial Wellness
Apprisen partners with companies to provide on-site and virtual financial education workshops. These programs are free to employees and serve as an early intervention — workers learn budgeting skills before debt becomes unmanageable. For Apprisen, this also creates a referral channel for DMP services.
Consistent Counselor Assignment
Unlike larger agencies where you may be assigned to different counselors at different stages, Apprisen's mid-size operation means you typically work with the same certified counselor from intake through graduation. This continuity improves accountability and reduces the need to re-explain your situation.
Lower-Than-Average Fee Structure
Monthly DMP fees range from $20-$40, placing Apprisen at the lower end of the NFCC fee spectrum. Setup fees are also capped at $50, and hardship waivers are readily available for clients who document financial difficulty.
How It Works
Free Consultation
Call or go online for a free session with a certified counselor. No cost, no obligation.
Budget Review
Your counselor digs into your income, expenses, and debts to understand the full picture.
Option Assessment
They tell you what they recommend: DMP, self-pay, balance transfer, or something else entirely.
DMP Enrollment
If a DMP is the right fit, Apprisen sets it up and contacts each creditor for rate reductions.
Debt Payoff
One monthly payment until every enrolled debt is paid off. Typically 3-5 years.
What They Do
- Debt Management Plans
- Credit Counseling
- Housing Counseling
- Financial Education
- Workplace Wellness Programs
Debt Types They Take On
- Credit Cards
- Medical Bills
- Personal Loans
- Store Cards
Fee & Cost Structure
Regulatory & Trust
Review Summary
Notable Case Studies
Midwest Factory Worker With Overtime Cuts
Client with $21,000 across 3 credit cards at an average 25% APR fell behind after overtime was eliminated at their plant. Apprisen negotiated rates to 3-6% and structured a 48-month plan the client could afford on base pay alone.
Employer Workshop Referral to DMP
Employee attended an Apprisen workplace wellness seminar and realized their $16,000 in store card debt at 28% APR was accumulating $370/month in interest charges. Enrolled in a DMP the following week.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Nearly 70 years of nonprofit credit counseling experience
- Lower monthly fees ($20-$40) than most NFCC competitors
- Same counselor throughout your program for consistency
- Free community and workplace financial workshops
- Very low CFPB complaint volume
Cons
- Strongest in-person presence limited to the Midwest
- Smaller scale than national agencies like MMI or Consolidated Credit
- No debt settlement services — DMP requires full repayment
- Less sophisticated online portal compared to Clearpoint or InCharge
User Reviews (8)
$20-40/mo fees are the lowest I found anywhere
Apprisen charges $20-$40/month. Even lower than ACCC's $39 cap. Over a 48-month DMP at $25/mo thats only $1,200 in total monthly fees plus $50 max setup. Compare to InCharge at potentially $2,475 total. For the exact same creditor concession rates. The math is simple: cheapest fees + same rates = Apprisen wins on cost. $21k enrolled at 3-6% rates.
only 15 CFPB complaints in 3 years
Compare Apprisen's 15 CFPB complaints to MMI's 190 or Consolidated Credit's 140. Even adjusting for smaller scale, that ratio is excellent. It tells me complaints are rare and issues get resolved before reaching the federal level. My $19k DMP went smoothly from start to finish. 42 months, rates at 4-7%, zero issues.
same counselor for 48 months straight
Maria was my counselor from intake through graduation. She remembered my kids' names, my job situation, my goals. When I hit a rough patch at month 18 she proactively called me before my payment was due to discuss options. At MMI I would have talked to 4 different people. Consistency matters when you're vulnerable. $16k enrolled.
strongest if you're in the midwest
Columbus OH headquarters with genuine local presence. They know Ohio, Michigan, Indiana housing markets and state-specific programs. If you're outside the midwest everything is phone/online which works fine for DMP but you miss the local expertise. For housing counseling specifically, go local. $17k enrolled at 3-6%.
employer workshop led me to get help
Apprisen ran a financial wellness seminar at my factory. I realized my $21k in store card debt at 28% was generating $490/mo in interest - almost as much as my $520 minimum payment. Enrolled in a DMP the next week. Rates dropped to 5-9%. Interest charges went from $490/mo to $105/mo. The workplace seminar literally changed my financial life.
online portal is bare bones
Apprisen's client portal shows your balance and payment history. That's about it. No real-time tracking, no projected payoff dates, no payment disbursement confirmations. Compare to Clearpoint or InCharge and it's a generation behind. Results were good ($22k at 3-6%) but I had to call or email to get information that should be available online. Invest in tech, Apprisen.
operating since 1955 - survived every economic crisis
Apprisen has been around for 70 years. Through stagflation, the S&L crisis, dot-com bust, 2008, covid. They are still here. That longevity means institutional knowledge about how creditors behave during recessions, rate environments, everything. My counselor referenced historical patterns when advising on timing. $24k enrolled.
smaller scale means fewer resources overall
Apprisen has helped 250k clients vs MMI's 3 million. Smaller means more personal attention but also fewer counselors, longer wait times during peak periods, and less name recognition with some creditors. One of my creditors took an extra week to confirm enrollment because they had to verify Apprisen's NFCC membership. Not a deal breaker but annoying. $15k enrolled.
Write a Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Companies
Important Credit Counseling Disclaimers
- Credit counseling agencies help you create a plan to repay your debts in full, typically over 3-5 years through a Debt Management Plan (DMP). Unlike debt settlement, a DMP does not reduce your principal balance.
- Nonprofit status does not mean free. Most nonprofit credit counseling agencies charge setup fees ($25-$75) and monthly maintenance fees ($25-$50). These fees are regulated and capped in most states.
- Enrolling in a DMP may require you to close enrolled credit card accounts, which can temporarily lower your credit score. However, consistent on-time payments through the DMP typically improve your score over time.
- A DMP is not a loan. You still owe each creditor individually; the agency distributes your single monthly payment to each creditor on your behalf.
- Credit counseling agencies negotiate reduced interest rates (often 0-9%) and waived fees with creditors, but not all creditors participate in every agency's program.
- Zogby does not provide credit counseling or debt relief services. We are an independent comparison service.
This page is informational, not financial or legal advice. Talk to a qualified professional before making any big money decisions.
Editorial Independence
We make money from some companies on this page. That doesn't change our rankings -- the editorial team scores every product independently, and the business side has no say in what we recommend.