Planning for college or career training can feel overwhelming for many families. The good news is that California is investing in the future of its students through California Kids Investment and Development Saving Program, better known as CalKIDS. This statewide initiative helps children start building savings for higher education or career training by providing up to $1,500 in college scholarship accounts – often automatically.
“There’s been a lot of research in the social welfare space that suggests that programs that are universal work best. Families aren’t seen with stigmas, they feel they can participate without losing benefits to another program. There’s no question of eligibility,” said Noah Lightman, CalKIDS Program Manager. “What the state is saying is instead of a traditional scholarship that requires reaching certain grades or milestones, this is saying you were born in the state of California, we believe in you and want you to have opportunities to pursue higher education, which we know over time can lead to higher incomes.”
Through partnerships with community organizations, including CCRC, families can learn about the program, claim their account, and take the next step toward making college or career training more accessible.
What Is CalKIDS?
CalKIDS is the nation’s largest children’s development account program. It was created to expand access to higher education statewide and create opportunities for families to prepare for and complete college, trade school, and career programs. Eligible children receive a state-funded scholarship account that can later be used for qualified education expenses.
Who Is Eligible?
60% of all public school students in California are eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship worth up to $1500. Every child born on or after July 1, 2022, automatically has an account with $25–$175 already set aside for their future education. These are state-funded scholarships that have the potential to increase over time. Each account that is claimed will receive an additional $25 deposit. And families that choose to add their own funds through a ScholarShare 529 account will receive an additional $50 deposit. Families with a child born on or after July 1, 2022, only need a child’s Local Registration Number (a 13-digit number) located on the birth certificate to claim the account and for Students all they need is their a SSID Statewide Student Identifier (a 10-digit number), which may be found on the student’s report card, transcripts or by contacting the school directly.
Two main groups of students may qualify for CalKIDS funding:
1. 100% of children born in California on or after July 1, 2022, are automatically eligible to receive a CalKIDS account.
2. 60% of public-school students
- Enrolled in 1st – 12th grade in a California public school.
- $500 for income eligible or English learner public school students
- $500 more for foster youth
- $500 more for homeless youth
What Can CalKIDS Funds Be Used For?
The ultimate purpose of these accounts is to reduce financial barriers to higher education and foster a college-going culture from birth. CalKIDS Scholarships can be used for a variety of education-related expenses, including:
- College tuition and related fees
- Books and required supplies
- Computer equipment
- Career and technical training programs
A second track of the program provides funds for students of an older age whose families earn below a certain qualifying income. Those students’ accounts are seeded with between $500 – $1,500. All children in the program have until age 26 to use the funds for an approved college-related expense. If not used in time, the funds are reclaimed by the state and distributed to a different child.
Access A CalKIDS Account Today
Accounts are created automatically based on birth records and school data. To claim the account:
- Visit calkids.org
- Enter the child’s 13-digit local registration number, the county in which they were born, and their date of birth.
- Students need their SSID Statewide Student Identifier (a 10-digit number), which may be found on the student’s report card, transcripts or by contacting the school directly.
Let CCRC and CalKIDS Help You!
Every child deserves a strong start towards their future! CCRC is helping families learn about CalKIDS and claim their child’s account. If you think your child may be eligible, we can help guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have. Get started today – families in the High Desert and Inland Empire area can connect with:
Andrea Arceo at [email protected] or 909-384-8000 ext. 4253 (San Bernadino)
Alex Ayers at [email protected] or 760-245-0770 ext. 3703 (Victorville)
Why Early College Savings Matter
Research consistently shows that children with educational savings accounts are more likely to attend and complete college. In fact, students with $500 or less saved for college are three times more likely to enroll in college than those with no savings. And young people with college savings accounts are four times more likely to graduate from college.
“Funds are invested aggressively, but overtime they become more conservative as the child get closer to the time to go to college,” said Lightman. “If the account gets up to $500, that’s not enough to fully fund higher education expenses, but if it can support some room and board, books, etc. And that can go a long way for families who don’t have a lot of money. But for newborns, families who start saving now can really add up.”
Programs like CalKIDS help level the playing field by giving families a financial head start – regardless of income. You can learn more about CalKIDS here.