Student Loan Counselor

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley (dba - CLARIFI)•Philadelphia, PA

6d•$46,000 - $51,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Student Loan Counselor provides free, individualized student loan counseling to Philadelphia residents, particularly low- and moderate-income borrowers. The counselor helps clients understand federal, private, and institutional education debt; evaluate repayment and relief options; resolve loan-related issues; and develop practical action plans for managing education debt. This is a full-time position dedicated to student loan counseling. The role includes conducting intake and reviewing loan information and supporting documents, providing one-on-one counseling, assisting with repayment and relief applications, addressing delinquency or default, helping resolve servicer and lender issues, and following up with clients. The counselor also maintains confidential case records, tracks client outcomes, participates in outreach and training, and collaborates with Clarifi staff and community partners. The position is based in Philadelphia and involves travel throughout the city to program sites, partner meetings, workshops, events, and conferences. The work environment is a standard office setting, with off-site workshops, presentations, and community outreach events. The annual salary range is $45,000–$50,000.

Requirements

A college degree or a minimum of three years of relevant work experience.
Strong interpersonal and one-on-one counseling skills, with an empathetic, nonjudgmental, and culturally proficient approach.
Ability to explain complex financial information clearly and help borrowers consider options suited to their individual situations.
Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail in case management and reporting.
Comfort working with financial information, web-based systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
Commitment to Clarifi’s mission, client confidentiality, ethical conduct, and responsive service to low-income and financially distressed clients.
Passion for serving low-income populations and demonstrated commitment to social justice, equity, and anti-poverty initiatives; understanding of the root causes of poverty and systems that perpetuate inequality.
Maturity, self-awareness, empathy, flexibility, cultural humility, integrity, and capacity for team and community building.
Ability to form trusting client partnerships and provide nonjudgmental, empathetic, culturally proficient financial coaching.
Commitment to innovation, excellence, and entrepreneurship, including willingness to test and evaluate ideas and support organizational goals.
Detail orientation and ability to complete work accurately and efficiently, understand and develop manageable, repeatable processes, and communicate effectively.
Excellent computer literacy, including web-based applications and Microsoft Office Suite.
Licensed driver with full-time access to a reliable, properly registered, and insured car, and ability and willingness to travel within the organization’s service area.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency or fluency in additional languages, especially Spanish.
Strong personal finance competencies; these are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Conduct client intake and review federal, private, and institutional student loan information and supporting documents, including information from StudentAid.gov.
Assess loan balances, servicers and lenders, monthly payments, repayment status, delinquency or default, and potential eligibility for forgiveness or discharge.
Provide one-on-one counseling, prioritizing in-person or video appointments and using telephone appointments when neither is available; conduct in-person sessions in a sufficiently private setting.
Explain repayment plans and develop individualized strategies and clear action steps for immediate student loan concerns and ongoing education debt needs.
Assist borrowers with enrollment in repayment plans and applications for forgiveness, cancellation, discharge, or other applicable relief options.
Help borrowers address delinquency or default by reviewing resolution options, including consolidation or loan rehabilitation when appropriate.
Assist borrowers in resolving issues with student loan servicers and lenders, including supporting complaint submissions and coordinating referrals to legal partners when appropriate.
Cover and document program-required topics for federal student loan clients, including disability screening, annual income recertification, keeping contact information current, and changes in income or family size.
Follow up with clients to review action-plan progress, respond to challenges, and support student loan management outcomes.
Identify additional client needs and make referrals to Clarifi financial counseling, legal assistance, BenePhilly, and other community resources.
Maintain accurate, confidential client records in Clarifi-designated systems, including intake and eligibility documents, loan information, counseling sessions, referrals, action steps, and case closure information.
Document appointment formats, loan balances, monthly payments, borrower issues, actions taken, resolutions, and changes to loan obligations.
Track client outcomes for program reporting, including repayment plan changes, delinquency or default resolution, forgiveness or discharge activity, and client cost savings, as applicable.
Collaborate with the Service Delivery Manager to develop client narratives and success stories for program reporting, observing privacy and client consent requirements.
Participate in outreach and awareness activities to support the student loan counseling program and community referrals.
Complete required NSDCN and CLS training within 30 days of hire unless otherwise specified; participate in continuing training, case discussions, and technical support.
Participate in required NSDCN and ELAA PHL meetings and collaborate with Clarifi staff and community partners to coordinate borrower assistance.
Work collaboratively across Clarifi to advance the student loan counseling program and support coordinated services.
Maintain regular attendance and prepare accurate, professional client communications, correspondence, and case documentation.
Protect confidential client information and follow Clarifi information security and case management protocols.
Travel throughout Philadelphia to program sites, partner meetings, workshops, events, and conferences.