There are two groups of California public-school students who may be eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship:

• Public school students enrolled in grades 1-12 during the 2021-2022 academic year
• Public school students enrolled in the 1st grade during the 2022-2023 academic year and every school year thereafter

Scholarship Award Amounts:

• $500 for low-income or English learner public school students
• $500 more for foster youth
• $500 more for homeless youth

To be eligible, your child must have been enrolled on Fall Census Day** and must also be identified as English Learner or low-income by the Local Control Funding Formula. And, that information must be reported to the California Department of Education.

Confirm Eligibility

*Eligibility determined by Local Control Funding Formula
**Fall Census Day is the first Wednesday in October of the academic year

You will need the following information to claim a CalKIDS Scholarship Account:

Children Born in California
(after July 1, 2022)

1. Local Registration Number (LRN) on child’s birth certificate or CalKIDS Code on the letter you received

2. Child’s date of birth

3. County where child was born

Please wait 90 days after your child’s birth to claim your CalKIDS Scholarship Account.

Students

1. Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) or CalKIDS Code on the letter you received

2. Student’s date of birth

3. County where student was enrolled

The following video provides more detailed information on claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship Account.

Watch Video: Claiming Your CalKIDS Account 

Claim a CalKIDS Scholarship Account

CalKIDS money can be used at eligible higher education institutions across the country. This includes community colleges, universities, vocational schools, and professional schools. To check if your school qualifies use the Federal School Code Search Tool.

CalKIDS funds can be used to cover education expenses such as…

• Tuition and fees
• Books and supplies
• Room and board
• Computer equipment

To use your money for a qualified education expense, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Log in to your CalKIDS account
Step 2: Click “Request Distribution” and follow the directions

Note: For more detailed info, refer to the Program Guide