Financial Hardship Assistance
Feeling panicked and unsure of your next steps? There are a number of options available, depending on your circumstances.
Need more hands-on assistance?
Stop by your nearest branch or give us a call at (800) 533-0035.
Hard times happen to everyone. Whether it’s brought on by an unexpected life change, a natural disaster, or you just can’t seem to get ahead, we have a team of experienced professionals ready to help you navigate through this difficult time. Options for assistance include a one-time loan deferral, a new loan or the option to refinance existing loans, or a one-on-one counseling session to rework your finances from top to bottom.
LOAN DEFERRALS
Each of your loans is eligible for one deferral in a 12-month period.* Choose your loan type to view deferral instructions.
LOAN PAYMENT DEFERRAL OPTIONS
Submit a request to defer a payment via our online form. Or, log in to online banking and select "Loan Deferral" from the "Account Services" menu to get started.
Contact us at (800) 533-0035, Option 3, or visit your local branch.
Send an email to MortgageServicing@aacreditunion.org and include an explanation of why you need relief. We will evaluate your hardship request to determine if you qualify for a two-month payment deferral. If approved, requests received by the 25th of the month can be effective for the next month’s payment.
You may also contact the Mortgage Servicing Department for details about our deferral option at (800)533-0035, Ext. 4210.
Student loans are serviced by University Account Services (UAS). Please log into your UAS loan account, send a message or call (800) 723-2210 to speak with a servicing agent about a hardship forbearance.
Business loans are excluded from deferrals, but we may have other options available. Contact our Business Services Department at (800) 533-0035, Ext. 4123, to learn more.
AVAILABLE LOAN OPTIONS
When faced with an immediate hardship, a short-term loan** can provide access to cash or help pay a bill with a third party.
Disaster Loan
When disaster strikes, the Credit Union assesses impact to our members and can offer relief designed for the immediate needs of those directly affected.
We have activated our disaster loan for members who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene or Milton.
- No application fee
- Loan amounts up to $1,500
- Loan terms up to 12 months
- First payment deferred up to 60 days²
Loan requirements:
- Must reside in a ZIP code impacted by the declared disaster
Or call us at (800) 533-0035, Ext. 4222 to apply.
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP LOAN
A personal advance helps you cover outstanding bills from a third party.
- No application fee
- Loan amounts up to $1,500
- Loan terms up to 12 months
Loan requirements:
- Must submit a copy of past-due bill(s) or other documentation
- Loan proceeds made payable to third parties only, such as auto repair shops, funeral homes or utility companies
Visit your local branch or call us at (800) 533-0035, Ext. 4222 to apply.
FAST FUNDS LOAN
As an alternative to a traditional payday loan, this short-term loan option is designed to give you access to emergency funds at an affordable rate during your financial time of need.
- $20 application fee
- Loan amounts up to $500
- Max term 4 months
Loan requirements:
- Loan may be used for any purpose
Visit your local branch or call us at (800) 533-0035, Ext. 4222 to apply.
REFINANCE LOAN OPTIONS
You may be eligible to refinance your auto or mortgage loan. Also, check with us about transferring your high-interest credit card balances.
Visit your local branch or call us at (800) 533-4222, Ext. 4222 to apply.
Disaster Loan
When disaster strikes, the Credit Union assesses impact to our members and can offer relief designed for the immediate needs of those directly affected.
We have activated our disaster loan for members who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene or Milton.
- No application fee
- Loan amounts up to $1,500
- Loan terms up to 12 months
- First payment deferred up to 60 days²
Loan requirements:
- Must reside in a ZIP code impacted by the declared disaster
Or call us at (800) 533-0035, Ext. 4222 to apply.
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP LOAN
A personal advance helps you cover outstanding bills from a third party.
- No application fee
- Loan amounts up to $1,500
- Loan terms up to 12 months
Loan requirements:
- Must submit a copy of past-due bill(s) or other documentation
- Loan proceeds made payable to third parties only, such as auto repair shops, funeral homes or utility companies
Visit your local branch or call us at (800) 533-0035, Ext. 4222 to apply.
FAST FUNDS LOAN
As an alternative to a traditional payday loan, this short-term loan option is designed to give you access to emergency funds at an affordable rate during your financial time of need.
- $20 application fee
- Loan amounts up to $500
- Max term 4 months
Loan requirements:
- Loan may be used for any purpose
Visit your local branch or call us at (800) 533-0035, Ext. 4222 to apply.
OTHER PERSONAL LOAN OPTIONS
There are a number of other loan options available.
REFINANCE LOAN OPTIONS
You may be eligible to refinance your auto or mortgage loan. Also, check with us about transferring your high-interest credit card balances.
Visit your local branch or call us at (800) 533-4222, Ext. 4222 to apply.
COMMUNITY & WORKPLACE ASSISTANCE
Aside from the help the Credit Union can give you, there are a number of other resources available that may offer additional financial assistance.
RESOURCES
There are a variety of resources available within your own community to help alleviate the financial burden.
Visit FindHelp.org to find charitable organizations in your local area that can help with:
- Medical costs
- Bills
- Housing
- Food
AMERICAN AIRLINES FAMILY FUND
Employees of American Airlines may request assistance through the American Airlines Family Fund.
For more information or to apply, visit: AmericanAirlinesFamilyFund.org
WINGS FOUNDATION
Wings Foundation provides financial grants to American Airlines flight attendants who are in critical need of financial assistance due to illness, injury, disability or natural disaster.
For more information, please visit: Wings Foundation
RESOURCES
There are a variety of resources available within your own community to help alleviate the financial burden.
Visit FindHelp.org to find charitable organizations in your local area that can help with:
- Medical costs
- Bills
- Housing
- Food
AMERICAN AIRLINES FAMILY FUND
Employees of American Airlines may request assistance through the American Airlines Family Fund.
For more information or to apply, visit: AmericanAirlinesFamilyFund.org
WINGS FOUNDATION
Wings Foundation provides financial grants to American Airlines flight attendants who are in critical need of financial assistance due to illness, injury, disability or natural disaster.
For more information, please visit: Wings Foundation
Committed to Your Financial Wellness
Committed to Your Financial Wellness
BUILDING FINANCIAL WELLNESS
You may be recovering from a previous financial setback, in the midst of one now or hoping to be prepared for the unknown future. Our Financial Wellness Department provides self-serve education as well as personalized assistance to aid you no matter what your situation is.
Wellness Check-up
The Financial Wellness Department is here to help you maintain momentum and continue to rise above any previous credit issues. This personalized service with a Certified Financial Counselor can help you with you:
- Bruised credit situations
- Debt repayment
- Credit report review
- Budgeting assistance
- Continuous accountability, support and guidance
In order to get started:
- Sign an agreement that authorizes us to review your credit report with you, and pull a new report if necessary. Click here to download our Program Agreement
- Call us today to speak with one of our Financial Wellness team members at (833) FIN WELL or (833) 346-9355.
The Navigator
The Navigator1 web portal is designed to help your financial wellness plan take flight. It will serve as your online, interactive guide to help improve your personal financial knowledge and direct your financial path. Here's a sample of what you will find when you access this skill-building web tool:
- Personalized action plans
- Interactive courses
- Easy-to-use calculators and budgeting tools
- Live webinars
Click here to get started. It takes only a few minutes to go through the initial assessment.
Emergency Savings Fund
Everyone has unexpected expenses, and all too often, they come at very inconvenient times. To help prepare for those rainy days, we created an Emergency Fund Savings Account. Benefits include:
- Dividends earned on every dollar
- No minimum balance
- No monthly service fees
- The ability to set up a monthly recurring deposit of a specified amount you determine, or make deposits on your own
Open yours today! Log into online banking and select “Open An Account” then “Secondary Account.”
Wellness Check-up
The Financial Wellness Department is here to help you maintain momentum and continue to rise above any previous credit issues. This personalized service with a Certified Financial Counselor can help you with you:
- Bruised credit situations
- Debt repayment
- Credit report review
- Budgeting assistance
- Continuous accountability, support and guidance
In order to get started:
- Sign an agreement that authorizes us to review your credit report with you, and pull a new report if necessary. Click here to download our Program Agreement
- Call us today to speak with one of our Financial Wellness team members at (833) FIN WELL or (833) 346-9355.
The Navigator
The Navigator1 web portal is designed to help your financial wellness plan take flight. It will serve as your online, interactive guide to help improve your personal financial knowledge and direct your financial path. Here's a sample of what you will find when you access this skill-building web tool:
- Personalized action plans
- Interactive courses
- Easy-to-use calculators and budgeting tools
- Live webinars
Click here to get started. It takes only a few minutes to go through the initial assessment.
Emergency Savings Fund
Everyone has unexpected expenses, and all too often, they come at very inconvenient times. To help prepare for those rainy days, we created an Emergency Fund Savings Account. Benefits include:
- Dividends earned on every dollar
- No minimum balance
- No monthly service fees
- The ability to set up a monthly recurring deposit of a specified amount you determine, or make deposits on your own
Open yours today! Log into online banking and select “Open An Account” then “Secondary Account.”
"I knew I needed to work on my credit but didn’t know exactly where to start. I was paired with an amazing Credit Union staff member who told me where I was and what I needed to do to get where I wanted to be. She’d call regularly to see where I was in the process and to offer her assistance where it may be needed."
Katherine, member since 2013
* Interest will continue to accrue resulting in additional interest paid on the loan(s) and your loan maturity date will be extended. See disclosure on the deferral request form for circumstances in which you or your loans may be ineligible for deferral. Loan payments that you’ve set up through other financial institutions via ACH transfer can’t be stopped automatically. Please contact your other financial institution(s) to temporarily stop payments from being sent.
** Loans are subject to credit approval and Credit Union lending guidelines. Member must be in good standing. See our Rate Schedule for more information.
1 The Navigator is powered by Enrich.
² Although no payment is due for 60 days, interest and credit insurance premiums (if applicable) continue to accrue during deferred payment period. Excludes loans already financed with the Credit Union. Loan applications must be approved and funded by 12/15/2024. Ask the Credit Union for more details.
