Orange County public high school students may have access to additional scholarship funds, with nearly half of them eligible for a CalKIDS scholarship—a state-established account created when they were younger. The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) announced it has over $123 million available to award, urging students and their families to check their eligibility.
As of May 29, only about 19.8% of eligible Orange County high schoolers had claimed their scholarship, according to the CalKIDS high school dashboard.
Students—or their parents or guardians—can verify their eligibility and claim the scholarship by visiting calkids.org using their Statewide Student Identifier. Children born in California after June 30, 2022, are eligible for scholarships worth up to $175.
Additional funds can be added based on family income, foster care status, or homelessness, said Vanessa Vizard, a spokesperson for the state program. These scholarships, which can reach up to $1,500, are funded through general fund dollars in the state’s 529 savings plan and can be used both in-state and out-of-state, according to DiBenedetto.
Unclaimed funds are reallocated to other students, Vizard explained. The scholarships are intended for public school students to cover college or career training expenses at accredited institutions, including colleges, universities, community colleges, trade schools, and vocational programs.
Qualified expenses include tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, and computer equipment, CalKIDS stated in a news release.
CalKIDS is partnering with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to provide counselors with data to identify eligible ninth through 12th grade students and support direct outreach. “This innovative partnership is transforming how millions of California students access the resources that make college possible,” said Daisy Gonzales, CSAC executive director.
“We’re removing barriers at the exact moment that students are making decisions about their future, which can influence whether a student enrolls, persists, and ultimately graduates while addressing basic needs.”
“These scholarships send a powerful message to families across our state: We believe in our young people, we are investing in their future, and we want every student to know that college or career training is within reach,” added Ma.