Are High School Guidance Counselors College Financial Experts
To begin with – I nor anyone else reading this sections of the web site would want the high school counselor's job!
I have been teaching school administrators, guidance counselors, and principals in the state of Kentucky for EILA credits when it comes to addressing college affordability issues since 1996 and I understand what the high school counselors' responsibilities are and what is expected of them when it comes to providing financial information to families that have college bound students.
I also want to say, I do not mean to offend any counselor nor do I want to give the impression that guidance counselors do not know what they are doing. My intent is informing other readers of what guidance counselors are required and trained to do.
In my opinion, today's high school guidance counselors are required to wear several hats and have so many different responsibilities that the counselor CANNOT physically or mentally do all of them with the expertise that their superiors require.
Many guidance counselors have not experienced an eight-hour work schedule for several years. Many work 10 to 12 hours (at school or at home) a day just to complete the workload that is required of them.
Most families do not know what the guidance counselor’s responsibilities are; therefore, I will summarize what I feel are some of their duties in order to educate parents that are viewing this section of the web site.
School counselors in the 21St century are highly trained educators in pre K—12 settings who uphold ethical and professional standards to design, implement and manage comprehensive, developmental, results based school counseling programs that promote and enhance student success.
School counselors are certified or licensed professionals who possess a master’s degree or higher in school counseling, or a substantial equivalent, meet the state certification/licensure standards and abide by the laws of the states in which they are employed. School counselors are required by most public school systems to successfully complete advanced-degree coursework in the following topics:
- Human growth and development
- Counseling theory
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Social and cultural foundations
- Testing and assessment
- Research and program evaluation
- Professional orientation
- Career development
School counselors also are required to complete a practicum and internship supervised by a certified school counselor in a school setting.
School counselors address the academic and developmental needs of all students, not just those in need, by collaborating with students, parents, school staff and the community.
The main responsibilities of guidance counselors are to help every student develop competencies in academic achievement, personal and social development, and career planning.
The counselor DOES NOT have the responsibility to advise students on how to pay for college - other than applying for need-based financial aid and applying for scholarships and grants.
There is no statement in their job description that indicate that the guidance counselor is to help students in addressing college affordability issues. Nothing is said about helping student with paying for a college education.
However, many high schools do conduct financial aid nights that give information on how to apply for college financial aid (FAFSA) and information on local scholarships and grants.
Most guidance counselors are NOT versed in college financial literacy issues other than need-based aid from the federal financial aid system and financial aid sources through their own state’s financial aid structure.
Paying for college costs reaches far beyond applying for financial aid from the federal and state governments, and all families must be educated on other avenues that are available that will help reduce the high cost of college. High school guidance counselors are NOT trained in this specialty.
Most high school guidance counselors try to provide college financial information to the students and their families by conducting “Financial Aid Nights” or the school will participate in college fairs sponsored by the local community or colleges. Yes, these events do provide important information, however they fall short in addressing the TRUE problem of paying for college costs.
Most families look at high school counselors as financial aid experts. However, this is far from the truth. Yes, they can show families how to complete the FAFSA and show families where to look for scholarships/grants, but high school guidance counselors ARE NOT financial experts.
Paying for the cost of a college education is more than completing financial aid application. In order to reduce or pay for college costs, it is the FAMILIES RESPONSIBILITY to incorporate a financial plan to accomplish this goal.
The family needs to address their spending habits and how adjusting these habits could provide thousands of dollars that could be used to pay for college. They need to understand how scholarships are treated and how to use scholarships/grants to the family’s benefit.
Parents should understand how the family's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated. This calculation is NOT covered in high school financial aid nights.
Families need to understand that the financial aid system is a FEDERAL, STATE, and COLLEGE SUPPORTED WELFARE PROGRAM and is not a program for all income level families. The financial aid system’s intend is to provide the neediest families with financial assistance in order to help pay for college. It is NOT intended to assist families that have the means to pay college expenses.
One of the major complaints I have with high school guidance counselors is, they are not up front with the families when it comes to qualifying for financial aid.
Most families are looking for FREE money (scholarships and grants). However, most guidance counselors are NOT explaining to the majority of the families that they will only qualify for subsidized or unsubsidized student and parent loans.
THEY NEED TO TELL THE TRUTH!
I understand that financial aid nights are general in nature and there are diverse levels of income families that attend. But the counselors should tell the families the truth and say something like this:
“If you are a middle-income family that has a average student, that will be attending a state supported college or university, DO NOT expect to receive ANY scholarship or grants when you complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). If your student will attend a private college or university, the student could possibly qualify for need-based or merit-based scholarships/grants directly from the college, but there is no quarantees."
Since the high school guidance counselors are NOT educated on how to assist families with financial issues, it is recommended to work with a QUALIFIED college financial expert (CPA or Certified College or Cash Flow Consultant) to assist the family with college cost issues through proper money management.
Many counselors will recommend families to talk to College Financial Aid Director for additional financial help. In my opinion, this is just like me recommending talking to an IRS agent in order to help you to reduce your federal income tax liability.
In reality, the Financial Aid Directors at the college level are no more financially qualified to give financial advice than the high school counselor.
