When Simbiat Odeshina ‘20 received an email about Money Smart Week, she knew it was the perfect opportunity to take control of her finances. Now pursuing a graduate degree at UMBC, Simbiat quickly realized the challenges of managing living expenses, working, and repaying student loans. Motivated by the email, she made attending Money Smart Week the first step toward improving her financial situation—and, in the process, earned a scholarship.
Attending the “Scholarship Hu$tle” presentation first, Simbiat learned about how to navigate searching for and securing scholarships. During the session, Associate Director, Scholarships, Jenn Volberding, shared the best times and places for applying for scholarships as well as the importance of repeating the process to get the most out of the experience. Simbiat also highlighted “How Money Works”, a session focused on the ways people live compared to their earnings.
By attending these sessions, Simbiat and other students had the opportunity to apply for scholarships totaling $10,000.
Money Smart Week returns April 7-11, 2025, as part of National Money Smart Week.
“Similar to previous years, during Money Smart Week 2025 students should expect a variety of workshops on financial literacy topics. Money Smart Week will be filled with engaging, informative and interactive in-person, hybrid, and virtual sessions led by financial experts!” shares Sharisse Gibson, Financial Literacy & Education Specialist.
Attendees can look forward to popular sessions like $alary Negotiation, Scholarship Hu$tle, and Early Career Personal Finance Decisions. With over 20 sessions and partnerships with PNC, SECU, Cash Campaign of Maryland, the event invites all UMBC students to learn–virtually and in-person–ways to move toward an informed financial future and encourage others to do the same.
Money Smart Week equips college students with essential money management skills to help them make informed financial decisions both during and after college. It promotes financial awareness and empowers students to achieve financial independence. The program encourages responsible spending, supports career and financial growth, and fosters smart debt management, all while preparing students for the future.
In 2011, UMBC launched FinancialSmarts – a collection of Financial Literacy and education programs designed to provide students with tools to make informed and effective personal financial decisions. In 2019, FinancialSmarts was recognized by Cash Campaign of Maryland with the Financial Education and Capability Award –Community Champion Award.