CalKIDS Scholarship

What Is CalKIDS?

CalKIDS is a children's development account program administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, an agency of the State of California. The program helps California families begin building financial resources for a child's future education.

California has invested more than $2 billion in CalKIDS Scholarships for more than 5 million children across the state.

CalKIDS funds may later be used for qualified higher education expenses at eligible institutions, including colleges, universities, trade schools, technical schools and vocational programs.

Two Groups May Qualify

Newborns and Young Children
Children born in California on or after July 1, 2022, are eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship.

Eligible Public School Students
Eligible California public school students may have a CalKIDS Scholarship Account already established in their name.

There is no traditional scholarship application process. Eligibility is determined through the CalKIDS program.

Visit the Official CalKIDS Website

Newborns and Young Children

All children born in California on or after July 1, 2022, can claim a CalKIDS Scholarship.

Children may receive up to $175 in CalKIDS scholarship funds.

The award may include:

• An initial CalKIDS Scholarship based on the child's date of birth
• An additional $25 contribution when the child's CalKIDS Scholarship is claimed
• An additional $50 contribution when the CalKIDS Account is linked with a ScholarShare 529 Account

Children born on or after July 1, 2023, have a $100 initial CalKIDS Scholarship. Children born between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, have a $25 initial scholarship.

Eligible Public School Students

Eligible California public school students may receive a $500 CalKIDS Scholarship.

Additional contributions may be available for eligible students:

• $500 additional contribution for eligible students identified as foster youth
• $500 additional contribution for eligible students identified as experiencing homelessness

Eligible students may therefore receive up to $1,500 in CalKIDS Scholarship funds.

Eligibility is determined by the CalKIDS program based on state program criteria.

For Public School Students

Families can check whether their student has a CalKIDS Scholarship using the student's Statewide Student Identifier, or SSID.

Before beginning, have the following information available:

• Student's Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)
• Student's date of birth
• County where the student attended school when they became eligible

How to Check

1. Obtain your student's SSID.
2. Visit CalKIDS.org.
3. Select Confirm Eligibility.
4. Enter the requested student information.
5. Follow the instructions to claim the scholarship and create an account.

Need Your Student's SSID?

A student's SSID is a unique number assigned to California public school students. Families who need assistance locating their student's SSID may contact their school.

For Newborns and Young Children

Parents or guardians will need:

• The county where the child was born
• Child's date of birth
• Local Registration Number (LRN) from the child's birth certificate

How to Claim

1. Locate your child's birth certificate and Local Registration Number.
2. Visit CalKIDS.org.
3. Select Claim Scholarship.
4. Enter the requested information.
5. Create your CalKIDS user profile.

What Can the Money Be Used For?

CalKIDS Scholarship funds are intended to support qualified higher education expenses.

Eligible expenses may include:

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

CalKIDS funds can support students attending an eligible college or other institution of higher education, including eligible career and technical education programs.

Requesting Funds

When a student is ready to use their CalKIDS Scholarship:

• The student must be at least 17 years old.
• The student must be enrolled at the institution receiving the funds.
• A distribution request can be submitted through CalKIDS.org.
• Funds are sent directly to the eligible institution of higher education.
• Students have until age 26 to use the funds in their CalKIDS Account.