Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

St. John’s University junior Alexandra Cicala has received $5,000 in new funding from Maspeth Federal Savings Bank to further develop her financial literacy app, uFinLit. The award, given on November 24, 2025, is the second round of support from the bank for Cicala’s project.

Cicala, a Business major on the Pre-Law track, began her work in financial literacy while still in high school. She contacted St. John’s professors to learn more about research linking early financial education to improved credit outcomes and used those findings as the basis for her first initiative, Financially Lit. In March 2025, she rebranded her effort as uFinLit and filed a trademark application to move toward building a digital platform.

Seeking resources to bring her idea to life, Cicala reached out to St. John’s Venture & Innovation Center (VIC) in early 2024. Through VIC Director James Kinsley, she was introduced to Thomas Rudzewick, CEO of Maspeth Federal Savings Bank. This connection led to initial funding that allowed Cicala to assemble a development team and collaborate with the university’s IT department to integrate uFinLit with St. John’s Single Sign-On system.

Cicala is working with Professor Ansel Schiavone on a research project involving 40 students from the Cox Honors Program. The study will begin soon and its results will guide future improvements for uFinLit and determine how new funds are invested.

uFinLit targets college students by offering short modules tailored for busy schedules and includes an incentivized rewards system. A future goal is connecting rewards earned through the app with Dining Dollars at St. John’s University.

The latest funding from Maspeth Federal Savings Bank will be allocated based on research findings and may go toward expanding content, adding user experience features, improving gamification elements, or developing partnerships with campus services.

“uFinLit is about empowering students with confidence,” Alexandra shared in earlier interviews. “Financial literacy shouldn’t feel overwhelming—it should feel accessible.”

With continued support from faculty, alumni developers, and community partners like Maspeth Federal Savings Bank, Cicala aims to expand uFinLit’s reach among college students.