Youth & College Support
Heading to college?
When it comes to higher education and college funding guidance, our Youth & College Support Team is focused on helping students graduate with as little student debt as possible. We're here to help you choose the right school for your ideal career and budget, maximize free and affordable financial aid, find scholarships, and discover ways to significantly cut down on the cost of higher education!
In addition, we’re always happy to assist families in filing the FAFSA, make sense of financial aid award letters, and break down the best loan options for filling gaps in college funding.
If you're a parent of younger children or are looking to save for your own higher education, we’re also able to advise on the best ways to save and make the most of your money by providing information on savings account options and college savings plans best suited to you, as well as connecting you with resources on the local and national level (21st Century Scholars, government programs, and more).
Opting for a different path?
College isn’t the right path for everyone, and we're just as passionate about discussing other post-high school options with our members, too. Whether that’s trade school, a gap year, or jumping straight into the workforce, we can help you come up with a strategy that allows you to make the smartest financial decisions for your next chapter.
If you’re feeling stuck and not sure what you see in your future, we’d love to help you explore your options and maybe even find your spark! Walking through various career paths, providing you with financial education, and connecting you with resources that can help are all ways we can support you as you decide what the next best steps are for you.
We're here for you, every step of the way.
At 3Rivers, financial wellness is at the core of all we do, and our Youth & College Support Team plays a major part—providing individuals and families with the tools, resources, and support that can help them make well-informed decisions when it comes to their finances—no matter what path their lives may take. Our team is made up of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints that shape how we structure the assistance we provide to our members. We’re a great example of there not being one “right” path for everyone, and we’re dedicated to helping you find yours!
We look forward to supporting you as you make the decisions that will shape your life, and helping you reach your financial dreams and goals along the way.
Let’s get the conversation started!
Ready to start planning? Let's talk! Give us a call at 260.399.8265, email us at college@trfcu.org, or schedule an appointment with us today!
Our philosophy on student loans:
We're committed to working with students and their families to find ways to minimize student loan debt. Before ever recommending a student loan, we'll seek ways to reduce the cost of your higher education by providing you with college and career counseling, which can guide you in selecting a school and career path that works best with both your current financial state and your future desired lifestyle. We also help you find free forms of student aid, including grants and scholarships . Once we've exhausted all other resources for free college funding, we'll discuss your best in-school loan options.
Which student loan option is right for you?
There are a lot of "what-if's", and no one type of loan is best for all borrowers. Here are some questions to keep in mind as you consider student loan types:
- How much will you need to borrow? Having a longer repayment period will keep payments more manageable on high-balance loans.
- How quickly will you pay off the loan? The lower offered variable rate may be a better option for you if you intend to start paying off your loan while attending school or quickly after graduation.
- How comfortable are you with change? Fixed rates don’t change, but this stability comes at a higher up-front cost. A variable-rate may change, but typically comes with a lower interest rate up-front.
We're here to help you decide! Get in touch with our Youth & College advisors to determine what student loan option is best for your unique situation!
Student Loans
| Type | Term | Loan Amount | Rate | APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Private Student Loan - Variable | $1,000 - $60,000 |
as low as 6.49%(1)(2) | ||
| Undergraduate Private Student Loan - Fixed | $1,000 - $40,000 | as low as 5.49% | ||
| Graduate Private Student Loan - Variable | $1,000 - $60,000 |
as low as 8.24%(1)(2) | ||
| Student Loan Refinance (Federal & Private) | 12 - 60 months | Minimum $5,000(3) | as low as 7.09% | 7.92%(4) |
| Student Loan Refinance (Federal & Private) | 61 - 120 months | Minimum $10,000(3) | as low as 7.59% | 7.81%(4) |
| Student Loan Refinance (Federal & Private) | 121 - 180 months | Minimum $15,000(3) | as low as 8.09% | 8.20%(4) |
Apply for New Loan Refi Existing Loan
(1) The Annual Percentage Rate is subject to change after consummation. Your interest rate is variable and may be adjusted quarterly on each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 (Adjustment Date) based on the Prime index as published in the Wall Street Journal on the first business day of the month immediately prior to the Adjustment Date (e.g., December, March, June and September). Any increase in the index may increase the APR and the amount of your monthly payment.
(2) (2) The "Index" for the quarter beginning July 1st, 2022, is 4.00%, which was the Prime index published in the Wall Street Journal on the first business day of June 2022. Current offered rate(s) are calculated by using the Index, Margin and Floor value(s) in effect. Your specific Interest Rate and/or credit approval depends upon the credit qualifications of the student borrower and co-borrower (if applicable). The APR will not exceed 18.00%, or fall below the Floor rate (currently 4.99%) regardless of the Index. Margin will be disclosed at account opening.
Student Choice applications are submitted via our website at: http://3riversfcu.studentchoice.org
(3) Total loan amount considered will be subject to a $100,000 unsecured aggregate limit (excludes credit cards).
(4) APR shown is calculated using the 'as low as' rate, the maximum term, the minimum amount, and a $99 loan processing fee. Your rate is fixed at the time of loan origination and will be determined based on your Loan Term & FICO score/data obtained from your credit file. No Early Payoff Penalties.
Membership required, to learn more visit www.3riversfcu.org/join
Apply for a Student Loan Request Additional Funds or Finish application Make A STUDENT LOAN Payment
Why refinance?
Refinancing your student loans can potentially result in lower interest rates, better loan terms, more affordable payments, and the ability to pay them off faster! Plus, it gives you the opportunity to choose your loan company—something that may not have been top-of-mind when you first applied. We'd love to review your current loans and see if refinancing them at 3Rivers could save you money and benefit your overall financial wellness!
Learn how much you could potentially save by using our student loan refinance calculator! Questions about your results? We're happy to review them with you. Get in touch!
Why refinance with 3Rivers?
Refinancing your student loans allows you to not only choose how much you pay toward your loans, but also where you pay your loans. Private loans come from banks and other lenders that parents tend to choose on your behalf while you're finishing your undergraduate degree. Federal loans are determined by the US Department of Education. Refinancing is one of the first choices graduates get to make on their own when it comes to their student loans!
On the Federal side, there are nine servicers that each receive a portion of loans created that year. Convenience, customer service, and the overall experience with these servicers vary greatly—and you may even have loans with multiple servicers! Refinancing with a trusted local institution like 3Rivers gives you the ability to have all your finances in one place, streamline your payments, and have access to our dedicated team whenever you have questions or concerns.
Of course, where you refinance is totally up to you. There are even some online options that may better suit your lifestyle! We're always more than happy to discuss your options with you so you can choose a servicer that best fits your needs.
If you’re ready to explore better deals on your student loans, contact us or schedule an appointment today!
Refinance your student loan Contact Us Schedule Appointment
Student Loans
| Type | Term | Loan Amount | Rate | APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Private Student Loan - Variable | $1,000 - $60,000 |
as low as 6.49%(1)(2) | ||
| Undergraduate Private Student Loan - Fixed | $1,000 - $40,000 | as low as 5.49% | ||
| Graduate Private Student Loan - Variable | $1,000 - $60,000 |
as low as 8.24%(1)(2) | ||
| Student Loan Refinance (Federal & Private) | 12 - 60 months | Minimum $5,000(3) | as low as 7.09% | 7.92%(4) |
| Student Loan Refinance (Federal & Private) | 61 - 120 months | Minimum $10,000(3) | as low as 7.59% | 7.81%(4) |
| Student Loan Refinance (Federal & Private) | 121 - 180 months | Minimum $15,000(3) | as low as 8.09% | 8.20%(4) |
Apply for New Loan Refi Existing Loan
(1) The Annual Percentage Rate is subject to change after consummation. Your interest rate is variable and may be adjusted quarterly on each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 (Adjustment Date) based on the Prime index as published in the Wall Street Journal on the first business day of the month immediately prior to the Adjustment Date (e.g., December, March, June and September). Any increase in the index may increase the APR and the amount of your monthly payment.
(2) (2) The "Index" for the quarter beginning July 1st, 2022, is 4.00%, which was the Prime index published in the Wall Street Journal on the first business day of June 2022. Current offered rate(s) are calculated by using the Index, Margin and Floor value(s) in effect. Your specific Interest Rate and/or credit approval depends upon the credit qualifications of the student borrower and co-borrower (if applicable). The APR will not exceed 18.00%, or fall below the Floor rate (currently 4.99%) regardless of the Index. Margin will be disclosed at account opening.
Student Choice applications are submitted via our website at: http://3riversfcu.studentchoice.org
(3) Total loan amount considered will be subject to a $100,000 unsecured aggregate limit (excludes credit cards).
(4) APR shown is calculated using the 'as low as' rate, the maximum term, the minimum amount, and a $99 loan processing fee. Your rate is fixed at the time of loan origination and will be determined based on your Loan Term & FICO score/data obtained from your credit file. No Early Payoff Penalties.
Membership required, to learn more visit www.3riversfcu.org/join
Student Resources
Here are some college planning tools and student aid opportunities we commonly direct our student members and their families to for additional information on preparing for and paying for school:
College Planning Resources:
College Financial Planner
This Excel sheet is built specifically for college students, breaking down all the key areas of their personal finances to help you keep track of your student loan debt and payments and personal living expenses in order to better budget your money.
View Now
Student Loan Refinance Calculator
Plug a few key numbers into this Excel sheet and you'll see how much you could save by refinancing your student loans!View Now
Funding College Guide
We've developed a guide that walks you through all the major steps you'll want to consider ahead of going to school in order to set yourself up for a successful future personally, professionally, and financially.
View Now
FAFSA Overview Guide
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your first stop for getting free funding for school. Here's an overview of what it is and how to prepare for filling it out.
View Now
Student Loan Refinance Guide
Learn more about the benefits of refinancing your student loans and how to go about applying for a refinance.
View Now
All 3Rivers Student Downloads
View our complete collection of downloadable materials for students and families, including the guides mentioned above as well as several career pathway overviews.
View Now
Federal Student Aid
Visit the government's official website for Federal Student Aid information, geared toward both students and parents. This site provides visitors with detailed information about types of aid, the process of applying for it, tips for managing your loans,
and more.
Visit Website
College Navigator
The National Center for Education Statistics offers this free online tool that allows you to search for your perfect school based on a variety of filters, including location, program types, institution types (public or private), level of education, and
more.
Visit Website
Northeast Indiana Building Trades
Northeast Indiana Building Trades is a great resource for students looking to find jobs or apprenticeships in the region. They can help connect you with programs that focus on classroom training and hands-on learning.
Visit Website
Scholarship & Grant Opportunities:
We highly encourage you to seek out grant and scholarship options to cut down on what you'll owe out-of-pocket. Here are some resources for opportunities in our area.
Indiana Workforce Ready Grant
The Workforce Ready Grant pays the tuition and mandatory fees for eligible programs at Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, and other approved providers. The grant is available for up to two years.
Learn More
Indiana 21st Century Scholarship
The 21st Century Scholarship covers up to four years of tuition at participating public colleges in Indiana. Enroll in 7th or 8th grade!
Learn More
Indiana T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship
This award provides opportunities to obtain various credentials for individuals working in licensed, registered, or Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) certified child care programs.
Learn More
3Rivers Scholarship
Each year, 3Rivers offers a contest (open to undergraduate, graduate, and returning adult students) for a chance to win a college scholarship. The entry process consists of filling out an online application and writing an essay.
Learn More
Need help tracking down grants and scholarships you qualify for? We can help you come up with a list personalized to you! Get in touch with our Youth & College advisors to get started!
Your Financial Journey
Meet Our Youth & College Support Team!
P: 260.310.5022 | O: 260.490.8328 ext. 3314 | E: jcashman@trfcu.org
James Cashman is passionate about education. He started at 3Rivers in 2016, and has found joy in connecting students with their dream careers. In his role as Youth and College Advisor, he supports families as they plan for higher education and transition into the workforce.
Prior to coming aboard 3Rivers, James studied Spanish and Intercultural Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University, worked as a social worker in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and taught in Barcelona, Spain.
Outside the office, he serves on the board of directors at the East Wayne Street Center, a local education non-profit, and enjoys travel, languages, and reading.
View Full Bio Page
P: 260.515.7216 | O: 260.490.8328 ext. 8230 | E: clawson@trfcu.org
Caitlyn Lawson started her career with 3Rivers in 2016 and has loved being able to help members with their goals and financial wellness journeys. She is dedicated to helping students find their own unique paths upon graduating high school—helping make sense of higher education, career paths, and the many other financial situations students may discover along the way.
Caitlyn’s own path to a higher education was more of a zig-zag than a straight line. Feel free to ask, she’d be happy to share more about her own journey and lessons learned!
Outside of work, she helps coach and teach swimming, loves to hike and explore new places, and is always seeking a new challenge to accomplish.
View Full Bio Page
P: 260.222.3440 | O: 260.490.8328 ext. 8819 | E: dmhaywood@trfcu.org
Dashyia Haywood is driven to make a difference with the people she encounters. She is passionate about young people and strive to ensure they are equipped with the necessary tools to reach their goals while acquiring education to weigh all of their options. Dashyia joined the 3Rivers team and 2019 and found her niche on the Youth and College Team.
Before beginning a career with 3Rivers, Dashyia worked in the social work sector in a similar capacity—coming alongside families to help them thrive. Dashyia enjoys traveling, swimming, and good music. In her free time, Dashyia works closely to support children and families dealing with the child welfare system. She is an open book and looks forward to meeting new people.
View Full Bio Page