CalKIDS is California’s statewide child savings and scholarship program designed to help students and families save for higher education. Eligible California children and public-school students may have a free CalKIDS Scholarship Account with funds available for future college, university, trade school, or career training expenses.
The program provides scholarship funds to eligible students, including many low-income students, English learners, foster youth, and homeless youth. Funds can be used for qualified educational expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, and computer equipment.
At Cultiva Central Valley, we help families check their eligibility, locate student identification information, claim their CalKIDS accounts, and understand how to access and use their scholarship funds for future educational goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CalKids?
Children born in California
(After July 1, 2022)
1. Local registration number (LRN) on the child's birth certificate or CalKIDS code on the letter you received
2. Date of birth of the child
3. County where the child was born
Wait 90 days after your child's birth to claim your CalKIDS scholarship account.
Students
1. State student identifier (SSID) or CalKIDS code in the letter you received
2. Student's date of birth
3. County where the student was enrolled
SSID can usually be found in the Aeries or Student portal, State Testing copies/results, or by requesting it by calling or visiting your school administration.
All children born in California after July 1, 2022 have a CalKIDS scholarship waiting for them.
$25 for children born between July 2022 and June 2023.
$100 for children born on or after July 1, 2023.
$25 bonus when claiming your CalKIDS scholarship account
$50 bonus when linking your CalKIDS account with a ScholarShare 529 account.
All California children born on or after July 1, 2022 can access CalKIDS
There are two groups of California public school students who may be eligible for a CalKIDS scholarship:
Public school students enrolled in grades 1 to 12 during the 2021-2022 academic year
Public school students enrolled in 1st grade during the 2022-2023 academic year and each subsequent school year
Scholarship amounts:
$500 for low-income public school students or those who are learning English
$500 more for foster youth
$500 more for homeless youth
You will need the following information to claim a CalKIDS scholarship account:
HOW DO I FIND MY SSID?
(Statewide Student Identifier)
Step 1: Check Your School Portal
• Log into your Parent/Student Portal (For example: Aeries) and Look for Student Info on Profile tabs (Your TEN digit SSID is usually listed there).
Step 2: Check Your School Transcript or State Test
• Your SSID might appear on report cards, student schedules, or registration forms from the district
Step 3: Contact Your School Office
• Ask for your student's SSID directly (California schools are required to give access to your SSID)
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC) for their generous support of our community outreach efforts. Through this vital partnership, Cultiva Central Valley has empowered Merced residents, especially youth and immigrant farmworker families, with critical education on the dangers of extreme heat, water conservation, CalKids, and mental health awareness. OCPSC’s investment in trusted messengers and culturally responsive engagement has helped us reach tens of thousands of residents with life-saving information, building a healthier, more informed, and resilient Merced County.
