The ScholarShare Investment Board (SIB) today announced a new initiative under its existing statewide partnership with the California Association of School Counselors (CASC) to expand awareness of the CalKIDS Program and help more students, particularly those in historically underserved communities, claim their share of $2.3 billion in scholarships already set aside for their futures.
Through this collaboration, CalKIDS will be more deeply integrated into the work of school counselors across California, positioning the program as a key resource within college, career and financial readiness efforts. With approximately 60% of California public school students eligible for CalKIDS Scholarships, school counselors, as trusted leaders on campus, play a critical role in ensuring students and families understand the opportunity and are empowered with the information needed to take action and claim their scholarships.
This new initiative will include communications, webinars and ongoing engagement to support counselors in integrating CalKIDS into their day-to-day work with students and families. Counselors already provide critical classroom guidance, individual planning, and family outreach. In addition, it will leverage CalKIDS both with existing financial aid, like FAFSA and the California Dream Act Application, as well as aligning CalKIDS with upcoming high school financial literacy requirements. School counselors are meeting the moment in maximizing these resources to ensure students are best prepared after high school.
Administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board under the California State Treasurer’s Office, CalKIDS has invested more than $2.3 billion to support more than 5.6 million California children with scholarships for college or career training. Eligible public school students can receive CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500, which can be used for tuition and fees, books and supplies, and other qualified educational expenses at accredited colleges, universities and career training programs.
“School counselors are among the most trusted and influential guides in a student’s journey to college and career,” said State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, Chair of the ScholarShare Investment Board. “This partnership strengthens our ability to support students directly through the people they already rely on every day. By equipping counselors with the right tools and information, we can help more students take action and claim the scholarships available to them.”
The announcement comes as CalKIDS advances a new campaign to engage County Offices of Education, districts and schools across California in activating local outreach efforts, sharing information and helping more students and families move from eligibility to claiming their future.
The partnership also builds on CalKIDS’ integration with WebGrants 4 Students, which gives high school counselors access to CalKIDS eligibility information so they can identify eligible 9-12 grade students and conduct targeted outreach as part of college, career and financial aid readiness efforts.
“We are proud to partner with CalKIDS to help school counselors connect more students and families to scholarship funds,” said Dr. Loretta Whitson, Executive Director of the California Association of School Counselors. “At every grade level, school counselors help students build confidence, explore future pathways and access resources that support long-term success. CalKIDS gives counselors another practical tool to help students turn those possibilities into action.”
Families are encouraged to check eligibility and claim their scholarship accounts by visiting CalKIDS.org.
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About CalKIDS: The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships for higher education. Administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, and Chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, the program is designed to promote the pursuit of higher education statewide by empowering families to build assets, nurture savings habits, and raise their educational aspirations. Eligible public school students can receive CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500 and every child born in California on or after July 1, 2022, is awarded a CalKIDS Scholarship worth up to $175, ensuring more families have the resources needed to support their children’s education. To learn more, visit CalKIDS.org.