Youth & College Support
Whether you're preparing for your first year of college or are well into your journey as a student or graduate, 3Rivers has solutions and resources, and a dedicated Youth & College Support Team to help you at every stage!
We want you to reach your current and future goals and are here to support you along the way. We can help you find scholarship opportunities, navigate your financial aid and refinance options, and more, so you can feel confident in making informed decisions that benefit you now and down the road.
Feel free to explore this page for more information, check out our blog posts, or contact us anytime if you'd like to chat!
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.
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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.
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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.
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Student Loan Refinance Guide
Learn more about the benefits of refinancing your student loans and how to go about applying for a refinance.
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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.
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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!
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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: 260.487.3314 | 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.
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P: 260.515.7216 | O: 260.399.8230 | 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.
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P: 260.222.3440 | E: jhersey@trfcu.org
Jordan Hersey received his bachelor’s in communication studies from Huntington University. Before beginning his journey at 3Rivers in 2022, he gained experience working at the Boys & Girls Club, in the service industry, and as a substitute teacher. He brought this unique mix of skills to our branches, helping members along their financial wellness journeys.
Having recently joined our Youth & College Support Team, Jordan is excited to help advise students and families as they navigate through the unknowns and stressors of college planning, so they can enter this chapter with confidence. He’s passionate about getting to know our members, their stories, and their dreams to help them create personalized plans that can help them achieve their goals, personally, professionally, and financially.
Outside of work you can find Jordan trying new restaurants, traveling, engaging in reading groups, and riding his motorcycle.
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