Meet a College Finance Consultant: Jessica Black

Our Meet a Finance Educator series introduces students and parents to members of the Bright Horizons College Coach finance team. Drop in to see what we do to relax, where we went to college, the best financial advice we’ve received, and how we work with families to navigate the college finance process. Whether you’re looking to appeal a financial aid offer, maximize merit scholarship opportunities, or spend your assets strategically, our college finance experts are here to help. Today we introduce Jessica Black.     Where are you from, where have you lived, and where do you live now?  I was born in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam. My parents immigrated to the U.S. when I was an infant. We lived short-term in California, Hawaii, and Washington before settling in Portland, Oregon where I spent my childhood. I now live in the suburbs of the greater Portland metro area.    What are you reading, watching, and/or listening to lately?  Nonfiction is my jam, and I have several in progress including, The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, Nice Girls Just Don’t Get It by Lois P. Frankel, and Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. I can watch reruns of Schitt’s Creek and never get sick of it.  My favorite movie of all time is Amadeus.    What are some of your interests—things that fascinate you or send you down internet rabbit holes, or things you love to learn more about?  I am deeply fascinated by human psychology and behavior. I enjoy researching the intricacies of how people think and act. I like to critically analyze statistics to uncover patterns and insights into the human mind. Of course, I also can’t get enough of learning about education finance. I can talk about financial aid all day, and I suppose that’s why I do it for a living!    Where did you go to college?  University of Oregon where I studied Psychology and Business Administration.    What would you like to go back and tell your high school self about the college application process?  Apply to more than one school and apply for more external scholarships before senior year of high school.    Where did you work in financial aid?   I worked in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships all four years while pursuing my undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon. After graduation, I worked for the State of Oregon Employment Department where I provided career coaching before returning to my true passion in financial aid. I started as a Financial Aid Counselor before being promoted to Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Lewis & Clark College, where I last worked before joining Bright Horizons College Coach.    How do you encourage families to incorporate financial fit into their college search?  Research cost of attendance budgets and merit awards early. Use the net price calculator on college websites and save your results. Create a spreadsheet to calculate your out-of-pocket expenses and compare direct costs between schools less any scholarships.     What aspect of the college finance counseling process do you most enjoy working on?  I like demystifying myths and complexities around the college financing process. There are so many mixed messages, confusing or straight up wrong information on the internet. It gives me satisfaction to provide clarity and peace of mind to families. Having the full picture is key and knowledge is power.     What is the advice you give students who are thinking about borrowing loans for college?  Delay borrowing for as long as possible. If you must borrow, accept only what you need and start paying back principal and interest as early as you can. Be conservative in estimating how much you will make your first year out of college and do not take on loan debt that exceeds what you estimate your annual salary will be after you graduate. Research employers who are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) to see if that may be an option for you depending on your career path.     What is the best financial advice you ever received?  Be mindful of lifestyle inflation. Just because you make more, doesn’t mean you have to spend more.