UK to celebrate Financial Literacy Month with Financial Wellness Carnival

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 31, 2025) – April is National Financial Literacy Month, a time dedicated to equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions and promote financial empowerment.

This month serves as an opportunity for everyone — whether they are just beginning their financial journey or actively managing their budgets, savings and investments — to strengthen their financial foundation. Small changes today can lead to long-term financial success.

To celebrate National Financial Literacy Month, Financial Wellness will host the Financial Wellness Carnival from noon-3 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in the Gatton Student Center. The carnival will feature interactive games, financial management tips, educational demonstrations and more.

At the University of Kentucky, financial literacy is a key component of student success. The Financial Wellness Center, housed within the Office for Student Success, provides students with access to resources and support to make informed decisions about their personal finances. Using the Spend, Save, Invest model, the center ensures that all UK students can meet their daily needs (spend), set aside funds for the unexpected (save) and work toward long-term financial goals (invest).

“Being able to manage one’s finances is crucial in adult life,” said Brandon Davis, student financial wellness coordinator. “Everyone has dreams for their future, and achieving those dreams often requires financial planning. Financial literacy is about understanding how today’s actions shape long-term financial security and peace of mind. Students who develop healthy financial habits now will find these skills invaluable beyond their time at UK.”

Since 2016, the Financial Wellness Center has been a hub for financial education, serving undergraduate, graduate and prospective students. The University of Kentucky is committed to expanding financial education efforts and ensuring all students have access to essential resources and programs that promote financial well-being.

In 2025, UK’s financial wellness initiatives continue to grow through:

• UK Invests
• UK LEADS program
• MoneyCATS
• Basic Needs
• Big Blue Pantry

Financial well-being may seem complex, but as defined by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, it simply means “having financial security and financial freedom of choice, both in the present and in the future.” This involves four key elements: feeling in control, the capacity to absorb financial shocks, staying on track to meet goals and maintaining flexibility to make choices.

“Talking about money isn’t always easy, but we aim to change that mindset,” Davis added. “This carnival is a fun and engaging way for students to interact with financial wellness topics. Each game will be tied to one of six financial topics: budgeting, saving, credit cards, insurance, investing, and problem gambling education. Another key objective of this event is to increase awareness of the Financial Wellness Center and the resources available to students. When students face financial challenges, we want them to remember that we are here to help.”

For more information on the Financial Wellness Carnival, click here. Explore the Financial Wellness center website to learn more about MoneyCATS, iGrad, UK Invests and upcoming events.

Additionally, current UK students are encouraged to file their FAFSA by April 15 to maximize eligibility. Visit go.uky.edu/FAFSA for more details.