First Steps Toward College

California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program

The State of California is committed to helping children thrive, particularly by increasing access to higher education.

With an estimated launch in summer 2022, the California Kids Investment and Development Savings program (CalKIDS) will provide each child born in California and eligible public school students, enrolled in first through 12th grade, with a seed deposit and possible financial incentives in a college savings account.

Sign up here for updates on the development and upcoming launch of CalKIDS, including important information about program eligibility, terms and conditions, and anticipated launch date.

CalKIDS Participants

newborn baby with mother

Newborns

Receive up to $100 in college savings for your newborn’s future!

The State of California will offer eligible newborn participants born on or after July 1, 2022 the following CalKIDS financial incentives to save for college, as applicable: *

  • $25 seed deposit in a CalKIDS account for every eligible newborn.
  • $25 deposit in your CalKIDS account if you register on the Program online parent portal.
  • $50 deposit in your CalKIDS account if you link your existing or new ScholarShare 529 college savings account—where you, your family and friends can contribute to your baby’s savings—to your CalKIDS account.

* Please note that eligibility final seed deposits and financial incentives require approval by the ScholarShare Investment Board and are subject to change. Newborn eligibility will be based on data received by the California Department of Public Health.

girl on a swing

Students

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

The State of California will offer eligible public school student participants the following CalKIDS awards to save for higher education, as applicable: *

  • $500 automatic deposit in a CalKIDS account for eligible low-income public school students enrolled in first through 12th grade.
  • $500 additional deposit in a CalKIDS account for eligible students identified as a foster youth
  • $500 additional deposit in a CalKIDS account for eligible students identified as homeless.

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

Stay tuned for further Program updates including launch date, eligibility, and additional participant incentives!

asian mom with two kids

Did you know?

Children with $500 or less designated for college savings are 3x more likely to enroll in college and nearly 4X more likely to graduate than children with no savings.

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 aims to:

  • help families establish a positive pattern of saving early;
  • provide families with the starting point to build assets;
  • use the potential growth of its investments over time to complement the savings made by family and friends in a ScholarShare 529 account or other savings vehicle;
  • support families in relying less on student loan debt when they’re ready to send their kids to college.

CalKIDS Donors and Partners