Two students proudly wearing their CalKIDS shirts at the CalKIDS One Year Anniversary event. Photo courtesy of CalKIDS
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – College acceptance and financial aid letters are arriving soon, and high school seniors and college students have a major opportunity to ease their higher education costs through the CalKIDS program.
CalKIDS is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships for higher education. This statewide initiative, administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, provides eligible California public school students with CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500, helping them take the next step toward college or career training by easing financial barriers to higher education.
In Sacramento County, more than $81 million in CalKIDS Scholarships has been made available to public school students over the last three years, providing critical financial support for their higher education. A CalKIDS Scholarship does not require students to submit essays, meet a minimum grade point average (GPA), or provide recommendation letters.
“CalKIDS is an incredible resource for families,” said State Treasurer Fiona Ma, chair of the ScholarShare Investment Board. “Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is the easiest step students can take on their path to higher education, and we want every eligible student to claim their scholarship account and take full advantage of this opportunity.”
ScholarShare Investment Board staff promote CalKIDS at community college conference. Photo courtesy of CalKIDS
Eligible students can use their CalKIDS Scholarship accounts for tuition and fees, books and supplies, and computer equipment. Since 2022, approximately $1 billion in CalKIDS Scholarships have been made available to more than 2 million of California’s public high school students.
For students like Estuardo from San Francisco State University, the CalKIDS Scholarship was a game-changer.
“I was absolutely surprised…I didn’t know I could have money for school just like that. I used my funds for tuition…it took a big load off my back. Now I can finally focus on my education,” said Estuardo.
Sacramento County has made efforts to ensure students and families are aware of and claim their CalKIDS accounts. The ScholarShare Investment Board has worked diligently to establish strong partnerships with local high schools, school districts, community-based organizations and financial aid directors at community colleges and universities. Partners like Sacramento California Student Opportunity and Access Program Consortium (Cal-SOAP) play a vital role in spreading awareness and helping students access the funds available to them.
Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is quick and easy. Families simply need the student’s Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), a ten-digit number which can be obtained by contacting their school directly. Once they have the Statewide Student Identifier, parents or students can visit CalKIDS.org to check eligibility and claim a scholarship account in just minutes.
The funds can be used at accredited colleges, universities, trade schools and career programs across the country. Once enrolled in a higher education program, students can log into their CalKIDS account to request a distribution directly to their school to cover qualifying educational expenses.
ScholarShare Investment Board staff speak to students in Sacramento about CalKIDS. Photo courtesy of CalKIDS
“Studies show that students with just $500 or less set aside for college are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate,” said Executive Director Cassandra DiBenedetto. “CalKIDS Accounts are more than financial assistance, they’re an investment in students’ futures, and we want to give every one of these students a reason to believe in their path to higher education.”
With roughly one in two Sacramento County public school students eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship and key college decisions and financial aid deadlines approaching, now is the time for students and families to check their eligibility and claim their scholarship account.
For more information on eligibility, scholarship amounts and how to claim a CalKIDS Scholarship account, visit CalKIDS.org.
The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships for higher education. To learn more, visit CalKIDS.org.
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