Did you know your child could already have hundreds of dollars set aside for their future? And all you have to do is claim it!
Through California’s CalKIDS program, thousands of children in Santa Clara County have free college savings accounts waiting for them. But most families haven’t claimed their money yet.
In fact, only 16% of CalKIDS accounts in Santa Clara County have been claimed.
That means more than $60.8 million in college savings remains unclaimed by local families.
Here’s what the numbers look like in Santa Clara County:
$73.2 million dedicated to children’s college savings.
213,721 accounts established for local children, including 87,163 newborn accounts and 126,558 school-aged accounts.
33,870 accounts claimed — just 16% of the total.
$60.8 million still waiting to be claimed.
At FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, we’re on a mission to change that. We want every eligible family to know about the free money available to their children and how easy it is to claim it.
And CalKIDS isn’t the only opportunity! A new federal savings program could provide even more money for your child’s future.
CalKIDS is a California program that gives eligible children money to help pay for college, career training, and other qualified education expenses. The state has already established accounts for eligible children. Families simply need to claim them.
All babies born in California on or after July 1, 2022, qualify, regardless of family income. Depending on their birth date, children may receive:
$25–$100 automatically deposited by the state.
An additional $25 when families claim their scholarship online.
An additional $50 for eligible newborn accounts when families link a ScholarShare 529 college savings account.
No family deposit or Social Security number is required to claim a CalKIDS scholarship. You will need their birth date and
Eligible California public school students can receive:
$500 in college savings.
An additional $500 for students in foster care.
An additional $500 for students experiencing homelessness.
CalKIDS began establishing accounts for eligible students in grades 1–12 in 2022, and new eligible first graders are added each year.
Have an older child? Check anyway! Middle school students, high school students, and even some young adults may have an account waiting for them.
It’s free and only takes a few minutes.
Visit CalKIDS.org.
Click “Claim Scholarship.”
Enter your child’s information to find and claim their account.
For school-aged children, you’ll typically need their date of birth, Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), and the county where they attended school during their eligibility year. Your child’s school can help you find their SSID.
For newborns, you’ll need identifying information such as their birth date and county of birth, along with the unique code provided on their birth certificate is required.
Remember: This is money already set aside for eligible children for their future education. You don’t need to contribute your own savings to claim it.
Families may also qualify for a new federal savings opportunity called 530A Accounts, also known as Trump Accounts.
These investment accounts are designed to help children build savings for adulthood.
Children who are U.S. citizens and have Social Security numbers may be eligible to open an account.
Children born between 2025 and 2028 may qualify for a one-time $1,000 federal contribution.
Other eligible children under 18 can have accounts established, although they don’t automatically receive the $1,000 federal contribution.
Some children ages 2–10 may qualify for an additional $250 contribution through a separate philanthropic initiative, depending on eligibility.
Families can learn more and find instructions for establishing an account on their website here.
Unlike CalKIDS, 530A Accounts are long-term investment accounts with different rules about contributions, withdrawals, and taxes.
Yes! These are separate programs, and eligible children may qualify for both.
For example, a California baby born in 2026 could potentially receive:
Up to $175 through CalKIDS.
$1,000 through the federal 530A Account program.
That’s up to $1,175 in initial savings contributions and incentives, without requiring the family to contribute its own money.
These programs can help families begin planning for their children’s futures, even when setting aside extra money isn’t possible.
In Santa Clara County, more than $60 million in CalKIDS savings is still unclaimed. That’s money intended to help local children pursue their dreams, whether that means going to college, learning a trade, or preparing for a career.
At FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, we believe every child deserves opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Helping families access resources already available to them is one way we can support brighter futures.
Our goal is simple: We want every eligible family to claim the money waiting for their child.
Here’s how you can help:
Check: Visit CalKIDS.org to see if your child has an account.
Claim: Follow the simple steps to access your child’s scholarship.
Share: Tell another parent, grandparent, caregiver, or friend. You could help them discover hundreds of dollars waiting for their child!
Explore: Visit TrumpAccounts.gov to learn about additional federal savings opportunities.
Don’t let your child’s free money go unclaimed. Take a few minutes today to invest in their future!
Program amounts and eligibility requirements are subject to change. CalKIDS funds are reserved for qualified education expenses. Federal 530A Accounts have separate investment and withdrawal rules. Check official program websites for current details.
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