Financial Literacy
When considering the cost of attending UNMC, we strongly encourage you to review your personal finances to ensure your financial well-being while attending school. Managing your finances is essential to your success both as a student and as health care professional.
It is important to review your financial aid award summary on MyRecords for each semester's disbursement amounts. The scheduled disbursements are in accordance with federal financial aid regulations. The disbursements must first be used to pay for your tuition and fees. The remaining financial aid will be issued to you as a refund so that you can pay for your books/equipment and cost of living expenses. Refunds can be several hundred to several thousand dollars to cover 4-6 months of living expenses at a time. Prudent money management will ensure that you have the resources to cover your expenses for the entire semester.
Frugal & Fit Challenge Nov. 1-30, 2026
The Frugal & Fit Challenge is designed to encourage you to maintain your physical health and wellness while also engaging in financial wellness tasks to improve overall well-being. You will complete one financial task and one fitness task each day.
Step 1: Sign up! Complete the Frugal & Fit Challenge Registration Form.
Step 2: Do the challenge each day. Choose your own daily activities and complete one financial task and one fitness task daily.
Financial Task Examples:
- Create a Budget – Create a budget or review the budget you already have.
- No-Spend Day – Don't spend any money today (except bills/essentials). Try making a meal at home.
- Financial Avenue – If you are a student, complete a module with Financial Avenue.
- Track Your Spending – Use an app to track your daily spending.
- Financial Aid – If you are a student, explore the types of aid available.
- Financial Literary Resources - Explore the additional resources on this page.
- 5K Steps – Hit 5,000 steps (track with your phone or smartwatch)
- Gym Workout – Complete a workout at the gym or at home. If you are a full-time student, your student fees may give you access to a campus fitness facility.
- Fitness Class – Attend a fitness class online or at the gym. For full-time Omaha students and Center for Healthy Living members, remember that group fitness classes are free and included in your membership.
- Water Goal – Drink at least 64 oz. of water.
- Sleep 7+ Hours – Track and prioritize your sleep.
- Meditate - Take some time throughout the day to meditate.
Step 3: Enter the drawing for prizes. Complete the challenge and the Frugal & Fit Completion Form to be entered into a drawing to win a UNMC sweatshirt. Five winners will be chosen!
Online Seminars Each Semester
Join the Office of Financial Aid on Zoom for financial literacy seminars each semester. Check your student Vitals email newsletter for upcoming sessions, including the Zoom information.
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Budgeting as a Healthcare Student
Monday, Sept. 14, 2026 | 12:15-12:45 p.m. (CDT)
Learn how to make the most of your money while navigating the unique financial challenges of healthcare education. Discover budgeting tools and strategies designed to help you stay on track and reach your goals. -
Financial Goal Setting
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026 | 12:15-12:45 p.m. (CDT)Turn your financial dreams into actionable plans. Explore techniques for setting meaningful financial goals and building habits that support long-term success. -
Financial Planning for the Holidays
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026 | 12:15-12:45 p.m. (CDT)Get ahead of holiday spending with practical tips for budgeting, gift planning, and managing seasonal expenses without compromising your financial well-being. -
The Importance of Insurance as a Student
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2026 | 12:15-12:45 p.m. (CDT)Gain a better understanding of how insurance works and why it matters. Learn how different types of coverage can help protect both your finances and your future.
Financial Avenue
UNMC has teamed up with Inceptia to provide financial education via their online program, Financial Avenue. Financial Avenue includes ten online courses to help students demystify the world of personal finance.
Financial Literacy Resources
Financial literacy resources are provided here to give basic money management information as a starting point for financial education. While we believe this information to be of value, it is not intended to be an all-inclusive listing of resources. The links listed below were developed by the AAMC. The are valuable links for all health profession disciplines - not just for medical students.
Budgeting Basics
- AAMC: Budgeting Basics - This page provides useful resources including a budgeting worksheet that you can download.
- Federal Student Aid: Budgeting Tips
- Federal Student Aid: Creating Your Budget
- FinAid: Calculators
Financial Seminars
The UNO College of Business offers free virtual financial seminars to students and the general public from Wells Fargo. Please check back often as the future seminars will be added.
