Whether you want to better manage your money, build your credit, reduce debt, or set goals and save – this is a great place to start.

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  Explore money tracking, goal setting, and how a budget can help you manage your money and achieve your goals.
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  Learn strategies for building credit, reducing debt, and improving your credit score.
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  Learn ways to save and resources to help you make your dreams a reality.

If you have questions, contact Kelley Glidden at 621-3436 or kelley.glidden@maine.edu.

UMA MoneyWise workshops are free, and developed for the UMA Community. Others are also welcome to attend!

MoneyWise is coordinated by New Ventures Maine (NVME). As a statewide community outreach program of UMA and the University of Maine System, New Ventures Maine’s financial education and asset-building work is integral to their mission of helping Maine people succeed and achieve economic security for themselves and their families. NVME has over 20 years of experience providing training and coaching in managing money and building assets.

Attend just one session or join the entire series! All sessions are 12:00 – 12:50.

• MoneyWise: Money Management Tips | Jan. 4, 2022
• MoneyWise: You & Your Budget | Jan. 6, 2022
• MoneyWise: Let’s Talk Credit | Jan. 11, 2022

Register here.

Questions? Contact Jean Dempster at 621-3434 or dempster@maine.edu.

The Â鶹APP announces the availability of a completely online financial literacy course for Maine high school students during summer session.  David Leach, a retired Maine State government financial regulatory employee and a UMA Lecturer since 2002, will be the lead instructor.

“The creation of Personal Financial Planning (BUA151), as an online course exclusively for Maine’s high school students provides an opportunity for students to develop strong financial underpinnings as they consider their next steps after high school,” said Rachael Magill, Director of Â鶹APP Early College Program.

“Â鶹APP Early College Program has for years provided the opportunity for high school students in Maine to earn college credits, at a reduced tuition rate, before they set foot on a college campus and thereby reducing the overall cost of a college education”, continued Magill.  “This new course is an extension of Â鶹APP efforts to ensure our students are financially knowledgeable as they pursue their future educational and professional goals.”

“This is a ten-week, life changing course which provides the essential information on must-know financial topics for young adults,” said Leach.  “The topics of banking, establishing and maintaining credit, responsible borrowing, personal budgeting, investing and insurance will all be addressed in this online course.”

This weekly three-credit course begins on May 10 and run through July 12 with students taking part in online classes with Leach and a host of other experts in the financial services and regulatory fields. Weekly online quizzes and a final exam will allow students to apply the knowledge they gain in the course to in real-life scenarios.

“This is the course that adults universally believe should be offered to high school students in the United States, and at the Â鶹APP, we have created such a course,” remarked Leach.  “Auto buying and financing, the responsible use of credit cards, the ABC’s of home buying, along with gaining a working understanding of insurance, investing and living within a budget are all essential skill-sets for a productive financial future,” stated Leach.

The class is limited to 75 students. Students interested in registering for the course can contact Â鶹APP Office of Early CollegeĚý˛ąłŮĚýumaearlycollege@maine.edu to learn more and how to apply.

AUGUSTA, ME – This spring, as part of a U.S. Department of Education Title III grant, the Â鶹APP (UMA) will begin offering expanded services to increase student financial literacy. The $149,000 award will allow the Maine institution to focus on three areas:

1. personal financial literacy instruction,
2. strengthened financial aid award education, and
3. default prevention services.

“Managing financial resources is an essential skill for college students of all ages, yet many students have not developed that expertise,” said Jonathan Henry, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing, and coordinator of the grant. “Leveraging financial aid resources requires an understanding of the long-term implications.  Without proper information about financial aid options and money management skills, students often can find themselves with debt issues upon graduation,” Vice President Henry continued. “This program seeks to address these and other financial issues students face.”

Beginning this spring, UMA new and continuing students will receive specialized financial coaching, have access to a financial awareness website, and be able to attend MoneyWise educational workshops for free or at no cost to them. The various services are being delivered by UMA, the Finance Authority of Maine, University Credit Union, Maine Educational Opportunity Center, and Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC). (NVME), a statewide community outreach program of UMA, focused on helping Maine people succeed and achieve economic security for themselves and their families, is taking a lead role in delivering and/or coordinating the various products and services.

“This program plays an important role in helping students leverage all funding sources that will reduce their overall educational costs and also ensuring students can manage their loans when they graduate,” said Rebecca Wyke, UMA President. “We want our students to succeed upon graduation and part of that success can be contingent on how wisely they have financed their education.”

A major component of the program are the workshops, which cover topics such as planning for college and living expenses, evaluating financial aid packages, accessing other financial resources, understanding student loans, and connecting one’s education to future career goals and potential earnings. Workshops are held at UMA locations across Maine, and several are also available online.

The average age of a UMA students is 33, with 60% of the student body in the 25+ age range. Nearly 80% of the students are financing their education without parental support, and the students’ average income is $21,542. Nearly half of UMA students are first-generation college students; 77% receive some kind of financial aid, and 72% receive a Pell Grant in support of their education.

UMA is located on two campuses and delivers courses and services at nine outreach locations located throughout Maine serving approximately 5,500 students annually, and nearly half of them complete the majority of their coursework online.

Learn more about our  program »

UMA transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs.