Skip to Main Content

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!

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!

Meet Our Youth & College Support Team!

Photo of James Cashman
James Cashman
Youth & College Manager

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.

Upload Secure Documents


View Full Bio Page
Photo of Caitlyn Lawson
Caitlyn Lawson
Youth & College Advisor

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.

Upload Secure Documents


View Full Bio Page
Return to the top of the page