Adelphi, Md. (October 28, 2025) – University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) has joined forces with the USAA Educational Foundation (USAAEF) to strengthen the financial well-being and career advancement of military members, veterans and their families. As part of the collaboration, UMGC will provide three college credit hours for USAAEF's free, online personal finance course, "Command Your Cash®." The two organizations will also jointly develop financial literacy programs designed to build financial resilience.
The two organizations share a commitment to supporting military members and by combining their respective strengths and resources, can achieve greater impact than they could independently.
“We are thrilled to partner with the USAA Educational Foundation on this endeavor,” said Keith Hauk, UMGC Vice President for Stateside Military Operations. “Both institutions share a foundational commitment to serving the military, and this agreement enables our service members to gain valuable college credit as they build financial literacy and readiness.”
Learners who complete the Command Your Cash® course through USAAEF’s Learning Management System will earn college credit equivalent to UMGC’s “FINC 321: Fundamentals of Building Wealth.” The credits can be applied to online degree programs at UMGC, where military members will receive full access to the university’s support services.”
UMGC already offers degrees and certifications for students to become certified financial planners. This partnership will expand financial education through additional non-credit offerings it develops with USAAEF, collaborate on career development and mentorship programs, and evaluate courses that USAAEF currently provides. Both partners will jointly market the programs through webinars, workshops, and other resources.
“A lot of money lessons we learn in life are caught, not taught—but when you change the way you look at your finances, your entire financial path can begin to shift,” explains Steve Georgoulakis, CFP®, Product Management Director for USAAEF. He added, “The Command Your Cash® course gives the military community tools to take control of their money—whether they’re just starting out or strengthening what they’ve already built—with clarity, confidence, and purpose for what comes next.”
Research has shown that many U.S. adults do not have the financial knowledge they need to successfully navigate an increasingly complex world, including when it comes to investing, saving, and preparing for retirement. One of the chief gauges of financial knowledge is the annual TIAA Institute-GFLEC Personal Finance Index. The 2025 index found that only 49 percent of adults could correctly answer key questions designed to show financial literacy. The 2025 results were nearly unchanged from the findings in 2017 when the index was launched, showing the persistence of the financial literacy challenge.
About UMGC
University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military service members. Today, UMGC is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland. It continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and more than 135 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland. For more information, visit umgc.edu.
About USAAEF
The USAA Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to improving the financial readiness of the military community. Established in 1986, the Foundation provides trustworthy, accessible financial education to service members, veterans, and their families—empowering them to make informed decisions and build strong financial futures. While it operates independently, the Foundation was founded by USAA and shares its commitment to the wellbeing and security of those who serve. For more information, visit usaaef.org.