Students offer fiscal counseling

Faculty and staff, and students can learn to reduce debt, calculate their net worth and weave a financial safety net, thanks to a free counseling service provided by students in the consumer science major.

The FOCUS counseling program, a partnership of the Financial Occupations Club for Undergraduate Students and the Office of Student Financial Services, provides one-on-one financial advice on a wide range of issues, such as budgeting, debt repayment, student loans and repairing bad credit.

“Almost everyone knows someone who may be in financial trouble, but is too embarrassed to ask for help,” says Michael Gutter, a professor of consumer science and an adviser to the program. “This is a discrete, effective way to get back on top of your finances. We’ll absolutely help anyone.”

Gutter notes that students living away from home for the first time seem especially susceptible to running up large credit card bills and generally living outside their means. Running into credit problems early can make life much more difficult down the road.

FOCUS, and its 18 counselors, operate one step below a Consumer Credit Counseling service, Gutter says. The only topic counselors are not qualified to discuss is investment advice.

The sessions are provided free of charge by students in the Personal Finance Program in the Department of Consumer Science within the School of Human Ecology. The Personal Finance Program is registered with the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards.

FOCUS is located in Room 233 in Office of Student Financial Services Building. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, for walk-in appointments. Sessions can be scheduled with specific counselors on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays.

For more information, call 262-3847 or email uw_focus@hotmail.com.