1
Credit Is Not Just a Score
Learn the difference between credit, your credit report, and your credit score, and why lenders read the whole file, not just the number.
850 University
Credit Foundations
The foundation for understanding credit. Learn what credit really is, how scores work, and why your reports matter.
2
Credit Report vs Credit Score
Learn how your credit report and credit score differ, where to get each, and why errors are fixed on the report, not the score.
3
The 3 Bureaus and Why They Do Not Match
Learn who the three credit bureaus are, why your three reports rarely match, and how to tell a normal difference from a real error.
4
Why Your Credit Scores Are Different Everywhere
Learn why you have many credit scores, how models, versions, bureaus, dates, and scales change the number, and which habits help all of them.
5
The 5 Things That Control Your Credit Score
Learn the five factors in your credit report that make up a FICO score, about how much each counts, and what the score does not see.
6
Why Payment History Matters So Much
Learn why payment history is the biggest part of most credit scores, when a late payment reports, how its weight fades, and habits that protect it.
7
Utilization and Amounts Owed
Learn how amounts owed and utilization work, how to calculate utilization per card and overall, and why it can change month to month.
8
Credit Age and Credit Mix
Learn how length of credit history and credit mix work, why new accounts lower your average age, and why patience beats shortcuts.
9
New Credit, Inquiries, and Applying Too Fast
Learn how new credit and hard inquiries work, why applying too fast can look risky, and how to rate shop and prequalify wisely.
10
Credit Is About Risk, Not Just Points
Learn how lenders use your report and score to estimate risk, how risk shapes your terms, and why real habits beat score tricks.
Next steps — guides & tools
FAQ
Is Credit Foundations free on 850 University?
Yes — 10 of 10 lessons in this course are free with an 850ai account. Watch on YouTube anytime; create a free account to take quizzes and track progress.
How many lessons are in Credit Foundations?
This course includes 10 short video lessons, each followed by a quiz when you learn inside the 850ai app.
Can I dispute errors on my credit report after this course?
850 University teaches the concepts; 850ai can analyze your credit report and generate dispute letters when you are ready. Start free at my850.ai/landing.
Put this course into action
Learn the strategy here, then let 850ai analyze your credit report and generate dispute letters tailored to your accounts.