Free Financial Education: Homebuying University
Practical, judgment-free workshops for anyone working toward a home, or just a stronger handle on their finances.
The Topics Our Workshops Cover
Homebuying University workshops are designed for real life.
Our Homebuying Navigators lead each session. They’re field experts, from lenders and credit counselors to housing specialists and financial coaches, who know what actually works.
Topics include:
- Budgeting that fits your real life
- Understanding your credit report and score
- Managing debt and loans
- Saving and planning for the future
- Navigating unexpected financial emergencies
- Mortgages and homeownership preparation
- Future planning: wills and foreclosure prevention
- Homebuying as a self-employed borrower
- Home maintenance and long-term stewardship
Financial Skills That Get You To Your Goals
Homebuying University is free, open to the community, and built around your goals, whether that’s buying a home with Habitat, improving your credit, or simply feeling more prepared.
By participating, you’ll:
- Prepare for the unexpected
- Move toward homeownership with confidence
- Gain real clarity about your financial situation
- Build habits that support your long-term goals
- Work with a financial coach one-on-one
- Reduce stress around money
- Complete 10 classes to graduate at our Homebuying University Graduation Celebration, with gifts and prizes for participants
- Optionally pursue a first-time homebuyer certification through PathStone or Hudson River Housing: worth 2 credits toward your Habitat graduation requirement, and may qualify you for down payment assistance from select lenders (additional cost applies)
The program has given me the information and courage to pursue my dream of home ownership.
– Homebuying University Graduate, Spring 2025
Join an Upcoming Education Session
Life Insurance led by Michelle Rawl
November 4, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Virtual
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Credit 101 / Down Payment Assistance led by Glenn Wu from Tompkins Bank
November 18, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Virtual
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Buying on the Open Market led by Sandi Park from Coldwell Banker Realty
December 2, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Virtual
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Credit Awareness for Homeownership led by Sara Conklin from TD Bank
December 9, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Virtual
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SMART Goals & Self-Care led by Heather Ann Pitcher from The Brain & Body Coalition LLC
December 14, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Virtual
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Winter Weather Property Damage & Homeowners Insurance led by Amy Mihalchik from SERVPRO and Staci Cussick from Comparion Insurance
December 16, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Virtual
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Financial Education Program FAQ
Anyone who wants to improve their financial skills or work toward homeownership. No prior experience, income qualification, or program enrollment required. These workshops are truly open to the public.
No. All workshops are free. There is no cost to register, attend, or participate in one-on-one coaching sessions.
Not at all. These workshops are valuable for anyone who wants to improve their financial skills — whether you’re hoping to buy a Habitat home, purchase on the open market, or simply feel more in control of your finances.
Yes. Completing our financial education workshops is part of the Habitat homeownership process and counts toward your partnership hour requirement. But many participants attend with no plans to apply for a Habitat home — and find the program equally valuable.
Individual sessions are typically 1–2 hours. Some programs include a series of sessions that build on one another. We recommend attending a series of sessions to get the most from the program.
Yes. In addition to group workshops, we offer individual coaching sessions where a financial coach works with you on your specific situation and goals. Contact us at to learn more.
Yes. We offer both in-person and online workshop options to fit your schedule. Check the upcoming events listing above for the format of each session.
Ten. Complete any 10 sessions, in any order and at your own pace, and you’ll graduate at our Homebuying University Graduation Celebration, with gifts and prizes for participants. There’s no requirement to attend all 10 back-to-back. Most people build up their sessions gradually.
Yes. Participants can also pursue a first-time homebuyer certification through PathStone or Hudson River Housing. It counts as 2 credits toward your Habitat graduation requirement and may qualify you for down payment assistance from select lenders. There’s an additional cost. Contact us for current details.
We welcome referrals from community partners. Contact us to discuss connecting your clients with our program.