Finances

Money can be tricky — but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Financial wellness isn’t just about numbers; it’s about learning skills that fit your life right now and grow with you over time.

We offer free, one-on-one coaching to help you feel confident about your money decisions. No question is too small or too complicated — whether you’re making your first budget, thinking about getting a credit card, or starting to plan for the future, we’ve got your back.

You can request a meeting with Lakeyla (Keyla) Whitaker by submitting a Thrive Center Assistance Form, and she will reach out with details. You can also meet with Keyla during her weekly drop-in hours on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Thursdays from 3 - 6 p.m. at the Financial Wellness Hub in McKeldin Library (Note: the Financial Wellness Hub is currently in development and drop-in hours will begin once the Financial Wellness Hub is ready).

The Financial Wellness Hub, located in McKeldin Library, is dedicated to empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take control of their finances, now and for life. The Hub offers a student-centered approach to financial literacy and well-being through specialized workshops and peer-to-peer financial coaching. 

The Hub is currently under construction. More details will be posted here once the Hub is open.

Sometimes the best money advice comes from someone who gets it. Our Peer Mentor Program connects you with trained and certified UMD students who’ve been where you are and know what it’s like to juggle classes, a budget, and big goals. All our peer mentors hold the Certified Financial Peer Mentor (CFPM) designation, so you’ll get judgment-free, real-world guidance you can trust.

Peer mentors can help you with:

• Creating and sticking to a budget
• Saving money and setting financial goals
• Building credit the smart way
• Understanding your student loans
• Finding campus resources to support your financial journey.

Learn more about the Financial Wellness Hub and access resources here.

Take Charge of Your Money with CashCourse

CashCourse is your free guide to managing money while you’re in school — and beyond. Whether you’re budgeting for groceries, figuring out student loans, or just trying to spend smarter, CashCourse gives you the tools to build confidence with your finances.

What You Can Do with CashCourse

• Explore short, interactive courses on budgeting, credit, debt and paying for school.
• Use the Budget Wizard to plan your monthly spending and track your goals.
• Check out articles and worksheets that help make money topics simple.
• Bookmark content you want to come back to later.
• Download a transcript to show what you’ve completed.
• Learn with real-life examples and tools that actually make sense.

You can access CashCourse anytime on your phone, tablet or computer — no app needed.

How to Get Started

Click here to create a CashCourse account for the University of Maryland or scan the QR code.

You’ll be asked to enter your email address, name, verify your account, and choose a username. Once that’s done, you’ll land on your dashboard where you can start exploring courses, tools, and resources.

After you’re registered, simply return to cashcourse.org anytime and click Log In to access your account.

Custom link not working? No problem — just follow these instructions:

1. Go to cashcourse.org.
2. Click Register now!
3. Enter 7241 as the access code
4. Provide your name and UMD email address
5. Follow the prompts to create your account.

Each year, we encourage students to view that year's cost of attendance to stay accurately informed and determine if the University of Maryland is a financially sustainable option. Be mindful that certain academic programs have something called "differential tuition" which means that the cost of tuition and fees will be higher than the cost for other programs. Students pursuing a major in business, engineering, or computer science will be charged additional tuition based on credit hours.

• UMD Cost of Attendance
• Undergraduate Tuition and Fees for the Year
• Differential tuition
• Graduate Tuition Fees for the Year

If your financial aid package does not cover the Cost of Attendance, students must work directly with the Office of Student Financial Aid. They may be able to help explore funding options, payment plans, or advise on how to appeal your current financial aid package. Neither the Thrive Center for Essential Needs nor the Dean of Students Office has access to scholarships or grants that can assist with tuition or any unmet financial aid needs.

THE MHEC One-App is the State of Maryland financial aid application for residents of Maryland who are eligible for in-state tuition but NOT eligible to file the FAFSA. Completing the FAFSA or the MHEC One-App by the March 1 deadline ensures that students are considered for all available aid, including State financial aid programs.

Some students who are Maryland residents and graduated from a Maryland high school are classified as out-of-state. Students who have been classified as a non-resident and meet certain criteria outlined by the University System of Maryland non-resident tuition differentials exemptions may be eligible to be billed at the in-state tuition rate.

Residency Reclassification Services handles all student requests to be reclassified as in-state residents for tuition purposes. Students who are initially classified as out-of-state residents by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Admissions, and subsequently believe they meet the requirements for in-state tuition and fees may apply for in-state residency.

Securing scholarships and grants often requires advanced planning. Many current students inquire about scholarship opportunities; however, most scholarship funds for a specific academic year are already allocated by the time classes start. 

To increase chances of receiving scholarship aid, it is crucial to begin your scholarship search at least a year in advance. Treat the scholarship application process like a part-time job, dedicating consistent time and effort each month to find and apply for suitable opportunities.

UMD students with a valid UID are able to create a Scholarship Universe profile, which allows them to view and apply for various internal and external scholarships. Be sure you meet the eligibility criteria before applying for a scholarship.

State of Maryland residents are also encouraged to apply to the Delegate and Senatorial Scholarships made available by your local officials. This is done by contacting your officials in your area of residence.