The Office of Student Financial Success, a unit of the Office of Student Financial Aid and Division of Academic Affairs, advises students one-on-one to help make managing money easier. Topics include but are not limited to:
Meet Our Staff
Students can request an appointment with a Financial Literacy Advisor or Peer Advisor using Navigate Student app.
Isaac Ehlers
Senior Assistant Director, Student Financial Services
Assistant Director, Student Financial Success
BA in Real Estate Finance, MBA
Isaac is responsible for the administration of the Office of Student Financial Success’s initiatives. He coordinates the Cyclone CashCourse financial literacy course required by the Iowa Board of Regents for all incoming freshman at ISU. Isaac meets with students regarding general financial aid concerns, private loans, exit counseling, and loan repayment. He works with the Special Conditions process and Federal TEACH Grant administration. Isaac also assists students who struggle with financial obstacles that are preventing them from earning their degree through completion grant programs.
Isaac loves helping students find ways to achieve their dreams through understanding loan borrowing and budgeting.
In his free time, Isaac can be found reading, golfing, and spending quality time with his two dogs, Jax and Tolk.
Clare Andresen
Financial Literacy Advisor / Financial Aid Advisor
BS in Financial Counseling and Planning
Clare meets with students one on one to discuss all things money management, such as budgeting, credit, student loans, and financial planning for college. Clare specializes in coordinating the Cyclone CashCourse financial literacy program required for freshmen, planning campus Financial Literacy events, and supervising our Peer Financial Advisors. Clare enjoys helping students find creative ways to budget, pay for college, and reduce their student loan debt.
In her free time, Clare enjoys reading, baking, crocheting, and playing with her corgi, Toby!
Andrea Dahl
Financial Literacy Advisor / Financial Aid Advisor
BS in Public Relations and BA in Communication Studies
As a financial aid advisor, Andrea helps students navigate how to pay for college and how to financially prepare for life post-graduation. She leads one-on-one counseling sessions for students over general financial aid concerns, loan borrowing, private loan counseling, TEACH Grant counseling, and FAFSA completion. Andrea also enjoys meeting new students during financial success presentations given to classes and campus groups regarding budgeting, loan repayment, and debt and credit management.
When she’s not helping students, Andrea enjoys hiking, watching movies and spending time with her cat, Daffodil, and dog, Bagel the beagle.
Jim Schreitmueller
Financial Literacy Advisor / Financial Aid Advisor
BA in German, M.Ed. in Student Affairs
In the role of financial aid advisor Jim meets with students and parents to guide them through the financial aid process and educate them about their aid options so they can make the choices that best fit their goals and current financial situation. Outside of one-on-one meetings, he also gives presentations to classes and student groups on a variety of topics relating to personal finances and financial aid.
When not assisting students with their financial needs, Jim can be found enjoying a warm mug of coffee and Formula One racing bright and early on his weekend mornings.
Jessica Frias O’Brien
Financial Literacy Advisor / Financial Aid Advisor
BS in Marketing, BA in Advertising
As a bilingual, Spanish speaking Financial Aid Advisor, Jessica helps educate families and students about the financial aid process, resources to pay for college and loan repayment options.
Jessica specifically works with students planning to study abroad, the Federal TEACH Grant, loan borrowing, and private loan counseling.
She believes educating students on the financial aid process is key to helping them maximize their investment and ultimately making higher education accessible for all.
Jessica also gives presentations to classes and student groups on a variety of topics relating to personal finances and financial aid.
When not working with students, Jessica enjoys spending time with family, traveling, being outdoors and listening to crime podcasts.
Collette Winfrey
Financial Literacy Advisor / Financial Aid Advisor
BS in Public Relations, MS in College Student Affairs
Collette lends clarity to the options available to pay for college for students and parents. She can assist with questions related to FAFSA completion, grants, loans, scholarships and more, and does presentations for current and incoming students. Collette loves the energy and excitement of working at a large land-grant university with an abundance of smart students, faculty and staff.
Outside ISU, you might find Collette hanging out with her husband and daughters, digging in her flower beds, or selling homes, as she also holds an Iowa real estate license.
Eric Baldwin
Financial Literacy Advisor / Financial Aid Advisor
BA in Behavior Science
Eric has spent many years working as a junior high principal and high school assistant principal in California. Eric has a bachelor of arts in Behavior Science with an emphasis in chemical dependency from National University.
Peer Financial Educators
The Office of Student Financial Success has Peer Financial Educators that assist in office operations and also perform peer financial advising services.
RJ. P. – Senior in Finance
Cathy C. – Sophomore in Financial Counseling and Planning
Kimberly T. – Junior in Communications