The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) was launched in 2022 by the State of California with a clear mission: to help jumpstart college savings for children statewide by awarding scholarship accounts to youth across the state. All children born in California on or after July 1, 2022 have a CalKIDS Scholarship waiting for them. There are two groups of California public-school students who may be eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship (1) Public school students enrolled in grades 1-12 during the 2021-2022 academic year. (2) Public school students enrolled in the 1st grade during the 2022-2023 academic year and every school year thereafter. $500 may be awarded to low-income or English learner public school students; foster youth; or homeless youth. To be eligible, the student must have been enrolled on Fall Census Day and must also be identified as an English Learner or low-income by the Local Control Funding Formula. And, that information must be reported to the California Department of Education. CalKIDS money can be used at eligible higher education institutions across the country. This includes community colleges, universities, vocational schools, and professional schools. Students must first confirm their eligibility before they can claim the scholarship. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the California Department of Education for more information.