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CalKIDS

The First Steps Toward College

The State of California is proud to announce the launch of the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS). CalKIDS gives children in California a jump start on saving for college or career training. To be eligible for CalKIDS, participants must be:

  1. Born in California on or after July 1, 2022; or

  2. An eligible low-income public school student in grades 1-12* in California.

All participants receive a seed deposit in a CalKIDS account to help pay for future education after high school.

“Education is the gateway to opportunity for all California kids. Once a mind is stretched, it can never go back.”

—Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

*Please note that eligibility for low-income public school participants is defined by the Local Control Funding Formula.

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Newborns

Receive up to $175 in college savings for your child’s future!

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Students

Receive up to $1,500 in college savings for your child’s future!

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CalKIDS Webinars

CalKIDS, Live online webinar September 21st

Join the CalKIDS team for a free, live online webinar Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (PST). RSVP is required, and instructions will be sent to you via email.

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CalKIDS, Live online webinar October 19

Join the CalKIDS team for a free, live online webinar Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (PST). RSVP is required, and instructions will be sent to you via email.

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CalKIDS, Live online webinar November 14

Join the CalKIDS team for a free, live online webinar Tuesday, November 14, 2023, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (PST). RSVP is required, and instructions will be sent to you via email.

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CalKIDS, Live online webinar December 12

Join the CalKIDS team for a free, live online webinar Tuesday, December 12, 2023, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (PST). RSVP is required, and instructions will be sent to you via email.

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Did you know?

Research shows that children with $500 or less designated for college savings are 3 times more likely to enroll in college and nearly 4 times more likely to graduate than children with no savings.1

CalKIDS aims to:

  • Promote a college-going mindset in all California children
  • Provide families an initial seed deposit to jump start personal savings
  • Help families establish a positive pattern of saving while their children are young
  • Support families in relying less on student loan debt when they’re ready to send their kids to college

1. Source: (Elliott, W., Song, H-a, & Nam, I. (2013). Small-dollar children’s saving accounts and children’s college outcomes by income level. Children and Youth Services Review, 35 (3), p. 560-571).

CalKIDS Donors & Partners