---
title: "Building Financial Literacy, One Terp at a Time"
date: 2025-04-03T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/building-financial-literacy-one-terp-at-a-time"
section: Articles
---
# Building Financial Literacy, One Terp at a Time

*April 3, 2025* — by [Karen Shih ’09](/author/karen-shih)


> New UMD Center Trains Peer Mentors, Teaches Students Basics of Budgeting, Investing, More

*Adobe Stock 670070184 1920x1080 — UMD's new Financial Wellness Center educates students about personal finances using peer mentors, workshops and more.*

Nobody ever said that scrutinizing a spreadsheet is a rollicking good time. But as a group of students shouted out numbers, Mad Libs-style—$90,000 salary! Three roommates! $12,000 in investments!—they discovered that with the help of a peer mentor (and some formulas to automate calculations), figuring out a monthly spending plan and saving for a hypothetical college grad isn’t so bad.

“Financial literacy is power,” said Gage Hamilton ’27, a finance major who co-led the exercise during a "Fearlessly Budgeting" event for “Financial Peer Mentoring” (BMGT299A) and who started investing as a high schooler. “I want to be able to teach others so they feel in control of their own financial health. That leads to more confidence and a lot less stress.”

The class is part of the University of Maryland’s new [Financial Wellness Center](https://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/centers-initiatives/financial-wellness), which aims to educate students about everything from budgeting to insurance and investing. The peer mentor model deepens understanding for those imparting the lessons and brings financial tips to a wider audience, one of the many ways UMD is innovating in learning and teaching.

“I’m a big fan of meeting students where they are,” said [Robert H. Smith School of Business](https://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/) Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs Joe Bailey, who leads the course that’s open to all majors. “If they’re more comfortable talking to another students about classes to take or where to live, why not have a conversation about managing their money?”


*Students look at a spreadsheet on a laptop as they sit around a round table — Students examine a budget spreadsheet at the Fearlessly Budgeting event led by peer mentors in December.*



**Sidebar note:**

All through April, Maryland Today will celebrate how the University of Maryland is reimagining learning and teaching. Find more stories at [today.umd.edu/topic/we-reimagine-learning](https://today.umd.edu/topic/we-reimagine-learning).

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The new Financial Literacy Center is kicking off a series of workshops at McKeldin Library in April, National Financial Literacy Month:

BMGT399A students’ peer trainer presentations (Special Events Room 6137)

- April 16, 3:30-4:45 p.m.: Budgeting as a Student
- April 23, 3:30-4:45 p.m.: Budgeting for Life After College
- April 30, 3:30-4:45 p.m.: Investing as a Student
- May 7, 3:30-4-4:45 p.m.: Investing for Retirement

SECU Money Month Events: Improve Your Financial Wellness and Get Free Stuff

- April 15, 12-2 p.m. (First Floor): Test your money IQ to win great free prizes.
- April 22, 4-6 p.m. (Special Events Room 6137): Think you’re a budgeting master? Participate in a year-long simulation with the SECU Fin Smart App.
- April 29, 4-6 p.m. (Portico Room): Get your picture taken at the money photo booth and learn more about financial wellness.





**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Finance](https://today.umd.edu/topic/finance), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience)


**Units:** [Robert H. Smith School of Business](https://today.umd.edu/topic/robert-h-smith-school-business)