Who is eligible for a CalKIDS account?
CalKIDS is a program that helps children in California get access to higher education, especially those from traditionally underserved communities. Enrollment in CalKIDS is automatic. Eligible beneficiaries are identified by the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Education. No action or financial commitment is required of families to participate. Eligible children include:
Newborns
Please note: CalKIDS receives information on newborns approximately 90 days after birth is registered with California Department of Public Health.
All California newborns born on or after July 1, 2022, regardless of parental income, are eligible for the program.
The initial deposit going to babies born after July 1, 2023 is now $100 thanks to increased funding from the state.
Babies born between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 have been or will be awarded $25 as an initial deposit.
The following financial incentives will be available for all newborn participants, as applicable*
- $25 deposit in your CalKIDS account when you register on the Program online portal.
Register to access your CalKIDS account - $50 deposit in your CalKIDS account when you link a new or your existing ScholarShare 529 college savings account to your CalKIDS account. With your ScholarShare 529 account, your family and friends can help contribute to your baby’s savings through gifting. Making a gift contribution to a child’s college education is easy and there are so many perfect opportunities to give: at birthdays, holidays, graduations, and other important occasions. Watch both your CalKIDS and ScholarShare529 accounts grow in one convenient location.
Link your accounts
Please allow up to 30 days for supplemental deposits to be applied to your account after registering or linking a new or existing ScholarShare 529 account.
Check to see if your child is eligible to participate:
The LRN is a 13-digit ID which appears on your newborn’s birth certificate.
See example below.
Enter the newborn’s Local Registration Number (LRN)**
Low-income Public School Students, 1st–12th Grade
California public school students identified as low-income under the Local Control Funding Formula will be given CalKIDS accounts, if they were enrolled in 1st through 12th grades during the 2021-2022 academic year. In addition, CalKIDS accounts will be given to first graders who were enrolled during the 2022-2023 academic year, as well as subsequent years, and are identified as low-income by the Local Control Funding Formula.
Eligible low-income public school students receive a:
- $500 automatic deposit in a CalKIDS account for eligible low-income public school students
- $500 additional deposit in a CalKIDS account for eligible students identified as foster youth
- $500 additional deposit in a CalKIDS account for eligible students identified as homeless
Register to access your CalKIDS account
Check to see if your child is eligible to participate:
Enter the student’s Statewide Student Identifier (SSID)**
The SSID is a 10-digit ID. Sometimes, SSID numbers appear on transcripts. If unsure, please contact your child’s school or school district for the number.
*Final seed deposits and financial incentives are subject to change and approval by the ScholarShare Investment Board.
For questions regarding newborn eligibility, please confirm with your local birth registrar that your child’s birth on or after July 1, 2022 has been registered with the California Department of Public Health.
For questions regarding student eligibility, please confirm with your school or school district that the student was enrolled on fall census day (October 6, 2021) in grades 1-12, is identified as low-income eligible by the Local Control Funding Formula, and that this information was reported to the California Department of Education.