--- title: "What Fees Do Debt Management Plans Charge?" description: "See the types of fees debt management plans charge, how they vary by state, and when creditors may waive fees, explained by Cambridge Credit Counseling." url: https://www.cambridge-credit.org/debt-management-plan-fees-2026-08 publisher: "Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp" updated: 2026-09-30 --- # What Fees Do Debt Management Plans Charge? A counseling session with Cambridge Credit Counseling is free. If you choose a debt management plan, there is a fee to set it up and a monthly fee, and we explain both during your free session, before you decide whether to enroll. Each state sets its own limits, and Cambridge Credit Counseling sets the amount within them according to what a household can afford. About one client in four has the fee reduced by their counselor for that reason. ## Types of Fees on a Debt Management Plan A debt management plan through Cambridge Credit Counseling generally involves an initial enrollment fee to set up the account and a monthly maintenance fee to keep the plan running. Cambridge Credit Counseling provides a Client Membership Guide to clients enrolled in its Debt Management Plan, which explains the details of how the plan is managed, including fee information for that client's situation. ## Why Fees Vary by State Debt management plan fees are not the same everywhere. They vary from state to state and from agency to agency because each state sets its own rules for what a company can charge. Cambridge Credit Counseling sets the actual amount within the limits of each client's state, based on what the household can afford. ## Fee Waivers and Creditor Concessions Past-due fees and over-limit fees are generally waived by creditors for accounts enrolled in a debt management plan. Other concessions, such as reduced interest rates or waived fees, generally follow preset guidelines set by each creditor, not by the counseling agency. Benefits like reduced interest rates, elimination of late or over-limit fees, and re-aging of past-due accounts to current status are possible outcomes, but in some cases they can vary based on the level of hardship in the budget, and certain accounts may not be eligible for them. ## Fees Are Set on What You Can Afford The state cap is the ceiling, not the price. Cambridge Credit Counseling sets each client's fee according to what their household can afford within the maximum their state allows, which is why two people with the same debts can be quoted different amounts. About one client in four has the fee reduced by their counselor because of what they can afford. This is a consequence of how a nonprofit agency is set up rather than a promotion. There is no fee to speak with a counselor and find out what yours would be. ## Things to Know Before You Enroll Setting up a debt management plan may adversely affect your credit, though the effect may be temporary as you remain committed to making monthly payments through your Debt Management Plan. There is never any obligation to enroll in a debt management plan after a credit counseling session with Cambridge Credit Counseling. A debt management plan is also not the same thing as credit counseling itself, it is one possible outcome of a counseling session. Consumers who have consistently kept up their payments, or who have paid more than required, may be barred by their creditors from joining a debt management program. ## What to Do Next Cambridge Credit Counseling offers free financial education and advice to consumers, and fees may apply if a debt management plan is set up afterward. Reaching out for a session is a way to learn what fees, if any, would apply to a specific situation before making any decisions. ## Questions and answers ### Does every debt management plan charge the same fees? No. Fees vary from state to state and from agency to agency because each state sets its own rules for what can be charged. ### What fees does Cambridge Credit Counseling charge for a debt management plan? A debt management plan has a fee to set it up and a monthly fee. Each state sets its own limits, and Cambridge Credit Counseling sets the amount within those limits according to what a household can afford. We explain the fees during your free counseling session, before you decide whether to enroll. ### Can fees on a debt management plan be waived? Past-due and over-limit fees charged by creditors are generally waived for accounts enrolled in a debt management plan, under preset guidelines set by each creditor, not by the counseling agency. In some cases certain accounts may not be eligible for the concessions and benefits. ### Will a debt management plan hurt my credit score? Setting up a debt management plan may adversely affect your credit, though the effect may be temporary as you remain committed to making monthly payments through your Debt Management Plan. ### Do I have to enroll in a debt management plan after a counseling session? No. There is never any obligation to enroll in a debt management plan after a credit counseling session with Cambridge Credit Counseling. ### Can the fee be reduced if I cannot afford it? Yes. Cambridge Credit Counseling sets debt management plan fees according to what a household can afford within the maximum its state allows, and about one client in four has the fee reduced by their counselor for that reason. There is no charge for the counseling session where this is worked out. ## Sources - Cash-Out Refinancing | Cambridge Credit: https://cambridge-credit.org/cash-out-refinancing.html (checked 2026-08-04) - Credit Card Bill Collectors | Cambridge Credit: https://cambridge-credit.org/credit-card-bill-collectors.html (checked 2026-08-04) - Disclosures, State Licenses | Cambridge Credit: https://cambridge-credit.org/disclosures.html (checked 2026-08-04) - Advice If You Don't Need a DMP | Cambridge Credit: https://cambridge-credit.org/advice-if-you-dont-need-a-DMP.html (checked 2026-08-04) - Disclosures, State Licenses | Cambridge Credit: https://cambridge-credit.org/disclosures.html (checked 2026-08-04) - Cambridge Credit Counseling, confirmed by President and CEO Christopher Viale in August 2026. 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(checked 2026-08-24) - Financial Stress and Your Health | Cambridge Credit: https://cambridge-credit.org/financial-stress-and-your-health.html (checked 2026-08-04) --- Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit credit counseling agency. Credit counseling is free. Talk to a counselor: 800-857-2808 | https://www.cambridge-credit.org/get-help Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Required disclosures and state licenses, the privacy notice and the terms are linked in the footer of every page.