We know that planning for the future is a priority for California families, especially when it comes to their education. CalKIDS is a free savings program that provides California kids with up to $1,500 for college education and career training. It’s available to children who fit into either of the following groups:

• Children who were born in California on or after July 1, 2022.
• Low-income students in grades 1-12 at a California public school. 

You can confirm your child’s eligibility using the CalKIDS Eligibility Tool. The rules for income eligibility are set by California’s Local Control Funding Formula.

How it Works

All eligible children have a CalKIDS child savings account created in their name. Students and parents can add to these savings over time. Once the student turns 17, they can use the account to pay for qualified higher education expenses.

Start Saving for College

To help kids get started on the path to college savings, the State of California is depositing money into every CalKIDS account. All children born on or after July 1, 2022 will receive up to $175 dollars. Additional money is available for low-income, foster and unhoused youth.  

Children Born in California on or after July 1, 2022 – Up to $175

• Initial Deposit
  • Children born between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, receive an initial deposit of $25.
  • Children born on or after July 1, 2023 receive an initial deposit of $100.
• Claim Your Child’s Account
  • When parents claim their child’s CalKIDS account on the online parent portal, they will receive an additional one-time deposit of $25.
• Link to a ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan
  • By linking their child’s CalKIDS account to a college savings account from ScholarShare 529, the state of California’s official college savings plan, their CalKIDS account will receive an additional deposit of $50. (See below for information about ScholarShare 529.)

Low-income Students – Up to $1,500

• Initial Deposit
  • All low-income students in grades 1-12 who are enrolled in California public schools, beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year, will automatically be given CalKIDS accounts. The accounts will include an initial deposit of $500.
• Foster Youth
  • Eligible students who are identified as foster youth will receive an additional one-time deposit of $500.
• Unhoused Youth
  • Eligible students who are identified as unhoused will receive an additional one-time deposit of $500.

How to Claim Your Account

Eligible newborns and students are automatically enrolled in the program, but online registration is required to claim the funds in the CalKIDS account. You need the following information to claim an account:

Newborns

• California county where the child was born.
• Child’s date of birth.
• Local Registration Number found on the child’s birth certificate, OR CalKIDS code found on the notification letter mailed to the parent’s home.

Students

• The California county of the student’s school as of Fall Academic Census Day.
• Student’s date of birth.
• Statewide Student Identifier (which can be obtained by contacting the child’s school), OR CalKIDS code found on the notification letter mailed to the student’s home.

How to Withdraw From Your CalKIDS Account

• Withdrawals can be requested online at CalKIDS.org.
• CalKIDS account holders must be at least 17 years old to request a withdrawal of funds.
• Participants have until they reach the age of 26 to use the funds in their account.

Using Your CalKIDS Funds

Money in a CalKIDS account can be used to pay for qualified higher education and career training expenses, such as:

• Tuition and related fees
• Books and required supplies
• Computer equipment

Requested funds are sent directly to the institution named by the student and are treated as an award scholarship.

To learn more, visit CalKIDS.org.

ScholarShare 529 – California’s Official College Savings Plan

ScholarShare 529 is a free-to-create account that families can use to save for their child’s school, college or career training expenses. The money you save is invested and can grow over time. Money can be withdrawn tax-free when used to pay qualifying education expenses for the child. Families can link their child’s CalKIDS account to a new or existing 529 account. Learn more at ScholarShare529.com