California Launches CalKIDS Scholarship for Future Students

California is taking significant strides to support its youth through the CalKIDS initiative, the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program. With a remarkable investment of $2 billion, CalKIDS aims to benefit over 5 million children by providing automatic scholarship accounts. This initiative is recognized as the largest education-focused asset-building effort in the United States and is designed to assist families in covering college or career training costs after high school.

As families reflect on their aspirations for the coming year, claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship Account stands out as a straightforward yet impactful step. Eligible children and students can receive scholarship funds ranging from $175 to $1,500, with no application process, essays, or income verification required. These funds are already allocated for the eligible youth and can be utilized for qualified higher education expenses, making CalKIDS one of the most accessible scholarship options for California families.

Success and Accessibility of CalKIDS

According to Fiona Ma, the State Treasurer and Chair of the ScholarShare Investment Board, which oversees CalKIDS, nearly 1 million scholarship accounts have already been claimed. Ma noted, “CalKIDS has been an amazing success… families across the state still have a tremendous opportunity to claim scholarship dollars already set aside for their children.” This initiative aims to ease the financial burden of education and expand future opportunities for students.

More than 60% of public school students in grades 2 through 12 qualify for a CalKIDS Scholarship Account, which can be worth up to $1,500. The program, launched in 2022, awarded accounts to students from elementary through high school, meaning current college students may also access these funds. Awardees can utilize their scholarships until they reach the age of 26. Additionally, every newborn born in California on or after July 1, 2022, automatically receives a CalKIDS Scholarship Account valued at $175, including an initial award at birth and further incentives for linking it to a ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan.

Scholarship funds can be applied towards tuition, fees, required books, supplies, computer equipment, and other accredited educational expenses across the country. This flexibility positions CalKIDS as one of the simplest and most adaptable scholarships available, particularly appealing to families during the holiday season and into the new year.

How to Claim a CalKIDS Scholarship

Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is a quick process that can be completed in just a few minutes at CalKIDS.org. For eligible public school students, families will need the Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), a 10-digit number accessible through school portals, report cards, or by contacting the student’s previous school from the 2021–22, 2022–23, or 2023–24 academic years. 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, connect it with a ScholarShare 529 account, and learn about eligible uses for the funds. The CalKIDS program reflects California’s ongoing commitment to enhancing educational opportunities, reducing costs, and investing in the future success of its youth.

As the year draws to a close, families are encouraged to check if they have a CalKIDS Scholarship Account available to claim by visiting CalKIDS.org. This initiative not only promises immediate financial support but also fosters long-term educational benefits for California’s children.