Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia)

Free-Help · OH

Rating: 4.0/5

Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) logo

Non-profit health and human services agency offering culturally competent support including microloans, legal services, and social services for immigrant and refugee communities in Northeast Ohio.

Official Website

http://www.asiaohio.org

Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) Review

Asian Services in Action (ASIA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1995 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, serving immigrant, refugee, and native-born communities across Northeast Ohio. The organization operates two Federally Qualified Health Centers (ICHC) with locations in Cleveland and Akron, both accredited as Patient-Centered Medical Homes. ASIA's mission focuses on empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander communities while addressing systemic barriers to access across languages and cultures.

ASIA offers a comprehensive suite of services including healthcare on a sliding scale, the Apex Fund for Economic Opportunity (small business microloans), legal services (immigration law, family law, estate planning), interpreting and translation services, community mental health support, youth and senior programming, financial education, employment assistance, and social services for vulnerable populations. Their International Community Health Center specifically serves those facing economic or language barriers to care. The Apex Fund microloan program targets low-income entrepreneurs who cannot access conventional bank financing.

What distinguishes ASIA is its integrated, whole-person approach combining healthcare, legal support, and economic empowerment through a single non-profit structure. They emphasize cultural and linguistic competency across all services, employ bilingual staff, and operate on a sliding-scale fee structure to ensure accessibility. The organization has earned accreditation as Patient-Centered Medical Homes and maintains strong community partnerships with foundations like the Akron Community Foundation.

ASIA operates as a legitimate non-profit with established community roots, 51-200 employees, and documented grant funding. However, potential borrowers should note that microloan programs typically serve nascent or under-resourced businesses and may have stricter qualification requirements than conventional small business lenders. The organization's primary focus is community health and social services rather than lending, with microloans representing one component of their broader mission.

Pros & Cons

Reader-focused summary of the strongest reasons to consider Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) and the factors most worth weighing before contracting. Individual outcomes depend on your credit situation and goals.

Pros

  • Sliding-scale healthcare and services ensure affordability for low-income immigrants and refugees
  • Bilingual and multilingual staff provide linguistically competent support across all programs
  • Apex Fund microloans specifically designed for low-income entrepreneurs excluded from conventional financing
  • Dual Federally Qualified Health Centers with Patient-Centered Medical Home accreditation
  • Integrated services under one roof including legal aid, health, business loans, and social services
  • Strong community funding through established grants and partnerships with local foundations
  • Accredited non-profit with 25+ year operational history and 51-200 employee staff

Areas to Consider

  • !Microloan program focuses on Northeast Ohio only; geographic service area limitation for borrowers
  • !Primary organizational focus is healthcare and social services, not lending; microloans are secondary program
  • !Limited publicly available information on Apex Fund loan terms, rates, and specific eligibility criteria on website
  • !Non-profit structure may mean longer application and approval processes compared to commercial lenders
  • !No online loan application or status tracking mentioned; likely requires in-person or phone inquiry

Verdict Summary

Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) works best for consumers who value sliding-scale healthcare and services ensure affordability for low-income immigr and can accept the tradeoff of microloan program focuses on northeast ohio only; geographic service area limita. Compare against similar providers below before signing any contract.

Services & Features

Services offered

Feature Checklist

Credit Monitoring
All Three Bureaus
Goodwill Letters
Cease Desist Letters
Debt Validation
Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor
Ai Powered

Best For

Before You Contact Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia)

Before signing up with any Free Help provider, review these safeguards:

Compare Your Needs With Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia)

Match these decision factors against Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia)'s profile before committing. This rubric mirrors what independent consumer-finance research typically checks for Free Help providers.

Category

Free Help

Service scope

12 services listed

Geographic coverage

1 states

Match to your priorities

  • Budget priority: Pricing published above — factor in setup, monthly, and cancellation fees over the full expected service window.
  • Complexity priority: Consider Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia)'s stated strengths (Sliding-scale healthcare and services ensure affordability for low-income immigrants and refugees) against your specific credit situation.
  • Timeline priority: Free Help typically takes 3-6 months for meaningful outcomes. Providers guaranteeing overnight results are red flags under federal consumer protection law.
  • Recourse priority: Confirm state licensing via your state regulator and check the CFPB complaint database before contracting.
  • Alternatives: Compare against all Free Help providers, DIY options via non-profit counseling agencies, and free CFPB resources.

Pricing

  • Monthly Price: 0
  • Setup Fee: 0
  • Money Back Guarantee: False
  • Guarantee Details:
  • Free Consultation: True
  • Tiers: []
  • Currency: USD

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) offer?

Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) offers 12 services including International Community Health Center with sliding-scale healthcare, Apex Fund for Economic Opportunity microloans, Immigration and legal services, Family law representation, Estate planning services, and 7 more. Confirm current service list directly with the provider before contracting.

Who is Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) best suited for?

Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia)'s profile signals suggest it may fit: Immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio needing capital for business startup or expansion; Low-income small business owners unable to qualify for traditional bank financing; Entrepreneurs seeking culturally competent, bilingual business lending support; Community members needing integrated health, legal, and economic services simultaneously. Individual outcomes vary based on your specific situation.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia)?

Key strengths: Sliding-scale healthcare and services ensure affordability for low-income immigrants and refugees; Bilingual and multilingual staff provide linguistically competent support across all programs; Apex Fund microloans specifically designed for low-income entrepreneurs excluded from conventional financing. Areas to consider: Microloan program focuses on Northeast Ohio only; geographic service area limitation for borrowers; Primary organizational focus is healthcare and social services, not lending; microloans are secondary program.

How does Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) compare to similar companies?

In the Free Help category, comparable providers include Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp., Navicore Solutions, Take Charge America. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Where does Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) operate?

Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) serves customers in 1 states including OH. Confirm current service availability in your state directly with the provider.

How much does Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) cost?

Listed pricing for Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia): monthly price: 0; setup fee: 0; money back guarantee: False. Pricing may change — verify current fees directly with the provider before signing any contract.

Visit Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia)

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Free Help consumers in Ohio. It does not confirm that Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator: Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions
Consumer protection: Ohio Attorney General Consumer Protection Section

Credit and debt help rules in Ohio

Key state rules to check

Payday lending in Ohio: Restricted (max $1000)

Usury cap: 28% APR cap on short-term loans (HB 123, 2018); 8% general usury

Complaint resources

State references

Ohio reformed payday lending in 2018 with HB 123, capping APR at 28% and requiring minimum 91-day terms. A statewide database prevents borrower abuse. The Division of Financial Institutions regulates consumer lenders, and consumers can file complaints with the Division or the Attorney General.

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Related Questions

Quick Summary

Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) — Free Help in OH.

Overall rating: 4.0/5

Non-profit health and human services agency offering culturally competent support including microloans, legal services, and social services for immigrant and refugee communities in Northeast Ohio.

Next Steps

  1. Compare Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) against similar options above.
  2. Run our borrowing power quiz to see how Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) matches your situation.
  3. Check state regulator listings for Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia)'s licensing before committing.
  4. Visit Asian Services in Action, Inc. (Asia) once you're ready.

Glossary of Terms

Common terms that come up when comparing Free Help providers. Full glossary at creditdoc.co/glossary/.

Amortization — Loan Amortization
The process of paying off a loan through regular payments that cover both principal and interest. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments are mostly principal.
Why it matters: Understanding amortization explains why paying extra early in a loan saves the most money — you're reducing the principal that interest is calculated on.
Example: Month 1 of a $200,000 mortgage at 6%: your $1,199 payment splits as $1,000 interest + $199 principal. By month 300: only $47 goes to interest and $1,152 goes to principal.
Balloon Payment
A large lump-sum payment due at the end of a loan, after a period of smaller monthly payments. The loan isn't fully paid off by the regular payments — the balloon settles it.
Why it matters: Balloon payments make monthly payments look affordable but create a financial cliff. If you can't pay or refinance at the end, you could lose your home or asset.
Example: A 5-year balloon mortgage on $200,000: you pay $1,054/month (as if it were a 30-year loan), but after 5 years you owe a balloon of $186,108 all at once.
Collateral — Loan Collateral
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Why it matters: Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example: A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
Cosigner — Loan Cosigner
A person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.
Why it matters: Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.
Example: A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
Credit Bureau — Credit Reporting Agency (Bureau)
A company that collects and sells information about your credit history. The three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Why it matters: Not all lenders report to all three bureaus, so your reports may differ. You should check all three reports because an error on one could be costing you money.
Example: Your car loan only reports to Equifax and TransUnion. Your Experian report doesn't show that good payment history, so your Experian score is 15 points lower.
Credit Freeze — Security Freeze / Credit Freeze
A free tool that locks your credit report so no one (including you) can open new accounts until you lift it. It's the strongest protection against identity theft.
Why it matters: A credit freeze prevents criminals from opening loans in your name, even if they have your Social Security number. It's free by law and doesn't affect your credit score.
Example: Your data was in a breach. You freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus (takes 10 minutes online). A thief tries to open a credit card in your name — denied because the lender can't pull your frozen report.
Credit Mix — Credit Mix (Types of Credit)
The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
Why it matters: Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.
Example: Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B's score is typically higher.
Credit Report — Consumer Credit Report
A detailed record of your borrowing history maintained by credit bureaus. It lists every loan, credit card, payment history, collection, and public record tied to your name.
Why it matters: Errors on credit reports are common — 1 in 5 consumers has at least one mistake. Checking your report regularly is the first step to fixing errors that are costing you money.
Example: You pull your free report from AnnualCreditReport.com and find a $2,400 medical collection you already paid. You dispute it, the bureau verifies it's resolved, and your score goes up 40 points.
Credit Score
A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores mean lower risk to lenders and better loan terms for you.
Why it matters: Your credit score determines whether you get approved and at what rate. A 100-point difference can mean thousands of dollars more or less in interest over a loan's life.
Example: On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: a 760 score gets you 6.2% ($1,536/month). A 660 score gets 7.4% ($1,729/month). Over 30 years, the lower score costs you $69,480 more.
Credit Utilization — Credit Utilization Ratio
The percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. If you have $10,000 in credit limits and owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%.
Why it matters: Utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score (after payment history). Keeping it below 30% helps your score; below 10% is ideal.
Example: You have 3 cards with a $15,000 total limit. You're carrying $4,500 in balances (30% utilization). Paying down to $1,500 (10% utilization) could boost your score by 20-50 points.
Default — Loan Default
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Why it matters: Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example: You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
FICO Score — Fair Isaac Corporation Score
The most widely used credit scoring model, created by Fair Isaac Corporation. 90% of top lenders use FICO scores for lending decisions.
Why it matters: FICO has many versions (FICO 8, 9, 10). Mortgage lenders still use older versions (FICO 2, 4, 5), so your mortgage score may differ from what free apps show you.
Example: Your FICO 8 score (used for credit cards) is 740. Your FICO 5 score (used for mortgages) is 725 because it weighs collections differently. Same credit history, different scores.
Hard Inquiry — Hard Credit Inquiry (Hard Pull)
When a lender checks your credit report because you've applied for credit. Each hard inquiry can lower your score by 5-10 points and stays on your report for 2 years.
Why it matters: Multiple hard inquiries in a short period suggest you're desperately seeking credit, which is a red flag. Exception: mortgage and auto loan shopping within 14-45 days counts as one inquiry.
Example: You apply for 5 credit cards in one month. Each application triggers a hard inquiry. Your score drops 25-50 points from the inquiries alone, making each subsequent application harder.
Loan Term (Tenor) — Loan Term / Tenor
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Why it matters: Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example: Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
Origination Fee — Loan Origination Fee
A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.
Why it matters: Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.
Example: You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.