Educational Debt and Financial Management Counselor

Department Overview

In support of OHSU’s 30-30-30 Initiative, the Educational Debt and Financial Management Counselor works with the Director to help accepted applicants, students, alumni, and other members of the OHSU Learner Community understand and manage their educational debt and improve their financial literacy. This role provides guidance and support on topics like scholarships opportunities, student loans (both federal and private), loan repayment and forgiveness programs, and personal finance topics, including budgeting, money management, credit, saving, consumer protection, and more. The counselor helps OHSU achieve its 30-30-30 goals by supporting initiatives focused on student finances and financial education to a larger student population resulting from the 30-30-30 Initiative.

 

Pay Range: $31.79 - $42.97 per hour, Commensurate with Experience

Function/Duties of Position

Provide Financial Counseling to Learners

• Counsel OHSU students on student loan options requiring advanced technical knowledge of federal, state, and private loans, repayment and forgiveness programs, budgeting, and debt management. 
• Meet with prospective students during admissions to provide early debt management information and support OHSU’s recruitment efforts.
• Offer guidance on managing educational debt and the impact of non-educational debt on overall financial health.
• Analyze financial data to create tailored debt management plans, considering long-term financial impact.
• Provide personalized counseling, handling sensitive financial situations with professionalism, discretion, and a strong knowledge of policies.
• Manage emotional situations effectively, working with academic programs to meet students' needs.
• Refer students to other support services as necessary for comprehensive student and financial wellness.

Conduct Presentations and Collaborate with Internal and External Representatives

• Create and deliver debt management and financial wellness presentations tailored to student groups at different stages of their programs and specific academic specialties.
• Use salary data to customize debt management information for different student groups.
• Represent the department at on- and off-campus events.
• Serve as a liaison between OHSU departments (Academic Programs, Financial Aid, Registrar’s Office, etc.) to address financial aid, enrollment, or registration issues.
• Represent the department on OHSU committees.
• Work directly with loan servicers to resolve student loan issues.
• Support the Director in campus outreach efforts. 

Other duties as assigned 

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, public administration, or a field directly related to the position.

• Three or more years of experience providing general student or financial advising and/or counseling.

• Experience supporting people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, and/or socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely. Skilled in mediation, counseling, advocacy, and mentoring, with excellent listening skills and openness to others’ perspectives.

• Ability to work with diverse populations and foster collaborative relationships with academic faculty, learners, staff, and external stakeholders.

• Ability to exercise independent judgment and recognize situations that warrant initiative and moves forward without hesitation, resolving issues, problems, or situations.

• Ability to professionally present information to and counsel individuals and groups about a variety of topics, applying consistent and empathetic professional judgment.

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and exercise discretion.

• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities and deadlines efficiently with minimal supervision.

• Thorough and accurate knowledge of federal, state, and private loan programs, including repayment terms and forgiveness options.

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).

• Demonstrated record of reliable attendance, punctuality and proven successful performance at past and present employers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education administration or in a related environment.
• Hold a Financial Counselor, Credit Counselor or Debt Specialist certification from an organization such as AFCPE, Center for Financial Certifications, NACCC, NFCC, and NIFE

Additional Details

Please submit a c