As families prepare for the new year, California is reinforcing its support for young residents through the CalKIDS program. This initiative, known as the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program, offers automatic scholarship accounts to assist with college or career training expenses. Backed by a substantial investment of $2 billion, CalKIDS aims to benefit over 5 million children across the state, making it the largest education-focused asset-building effort in the United States.
CalKIDS provides eligible children and students with scholarship amounts ranging from $175 to $1,500, accessible without any application process, essays, or income verification. These funds are allocated specifically for education-related expenses, ensuring that CalKIDS stands out as one of the most accessible scholarship options available to California families.
Fiona Ma, the State Treasurer and Chair of the ScholarShare Investment Board, which oversees CalKIDS, stated, “CalKIDS has been an amazing success, with nearly 1 million scholarship accounts already claimed by California families.” Ma emphasized the ongoing opportunity for families to take advantage of the scholarship funds set aside for their children, which can ease the financial burden of higher education and expand future prospects.
Eligibility and Benefits of CalKIDS Scholarships
More than 60% of public school students in grades 2 through 12 qualify for a CalKIDS Scholarship Account worth up to $1,500. The program, launched in 2022, awarded accounts to students from elementary through high school, allowing current college students to utilize their CalKIDS funds. Awardees can access these funds until they reach the age of 26.
In addition, all newborns born in California on or after July 1, 2022, automatically receive a CalKIDS Scholarship Account valued at $175, which includes an initial scholarship and potential incentives when families link the account to a ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan. This enables ongoing savings efforts for education.
CalKIDS scholarships can be applied toward essential expenses such as tuition, fees, required books and supplies, computer equipment, and other approved educational costs at accredited institutions nationwide. To date, nearly 150,000 students have benefited from CalKIDS funds, contributing to their academic achievements and career training.
How to Claim a CalKIDS Scholarship
Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few minutes at CalKIDS.org. For public school students, including those now in college, families will need the Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), which is a 10-digit number accessible through school portals or report cards. For children born in California on or after July 1, 2022, families will require the child’s date of birth and the Local Registration Number, a 13-digit identifier found on the birth certificate.
Once an account is established, families can log in at any time to check their scholarship balance, link it to a ScholarShare 529 account, and learn how to utilize the funds. They can also request disbursements once the student enrolls in higher education or career training.
CalKIDS represents California’s long-term commitment to enhancing opportunities, reducing education costs, and investing in the future success of its youth. As the holiday season approaches, families are encouraged to explore the possibility of claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship Account by visiting CalKIDS.org. This initiative not only reinforces the state’s dedication to education but also provides families with a meaningful way to support their children’s futures.
