The funds come from the State of California, administered by the California State Treasurer’s Office through the CalKIDS program.

This is public education funding created to help students build savings for college or career training.

No.

You never have to pay this money back. It does not affect your taxes, benefits, or financial aid eligibility.

No.
Core 6 will never ask for your Social Security number.

To claim the scholarship, families submit their student's 10 digit state issued ID # (SSID) on the official CalKIDS website, where identity verification is handled securely by the state.

Core 6 only helps guide families through the process.

No. This is a legitimate California state program.

Many families have not heard about CalKIDS because:

• It launched quietly

• Schools were responsible for outreach

• Many families moved or changed contact info

• Notices were sent by mail or email and missed

Core 6 partners with community organizations to make sure families do not miss out on money already set aside for their children.

You are not alone. Thousands of families are just discovering CalKIDS.

Outreach has been inconsistent statewide, and many eligible families were never directly contacted. That is why Core 6 provides workshops, one-on-one support, and community events to help families claim their funds.

Eligibility is determined by the State of California based on:

• Enrollment in a California public school

• Participation in certain assistance programs

• Foster youth or homeless status

• Grade level and year of enrollment

There are three eligible groups:

• All California babies born on or after July 1, 2022, regardless of family income, are eligible for a CalKIDS college savings account.
• Low-income public school students in grades 1-12 during 2021-2022 academic year
• Low-income public school students enrolled in the 1st grade during 2022-2023 academic year and every year thereafter

Core 6 does not decide eligibility. We help families check eligibility and complete the claiming process.

You may still be eligible.

If your child attended a California public school during the eligible years, the scholarship may still belong to them even if you have moved out of state.

CalKIDS funds can be used for:

• College tuition

• Trade and vocational programs

• Apprenticeships

• Certain job training programs

• Education-related expenses

The funds are designed to support education and career pathways, not everyday spending.

Core 6 does not hold or distribute CalKIDS money.

We provide:

• Step-by-step guidance

• Workshops and live support

• Help locating SSIDs

• Education on how to invest and grow the funds

• Ongoing financial literacy resources

Our goal is to make sure families claim, protect, and use the funds wisely.

To claim the scholarship, you will need:

• Your child’s full legal name

• Date of birth

• California Statewide Student ID (SSID), if available

If you do not have the SSID, Core 6 can help you locate it.

Once the CalKIDS account is claimed and activated, funds can be used as soon as they are available in the account.

For many families, this means the money is accessible immediately or within a short processing period, depending on whether the account is newly claimed or being transferred into a ScholarShare 529 account.

There is no waiting period tied to age, graduation, or enrollment once the account is properly set up.

CalKIDS funds are not paid directly to families.

Instead, the money is held in a state-managed education savings account and is distributed in one of the following ways:

• Paid directly to an eligible college, trade school, or training provider

• Used for approved education-related expenses through the account

• Transferred into a ScholarShare 529 account to grow over time

This structure protects the funds and ensures they are used for education and career advancement.

Yes.
Families have the option to move CalKIDS funds into a ScholarShare 529 account, where the money can be invested and potentially grow tax-advantaged over time.

Core 6 provides education and guidance so families understand this option before making decisions.

No.
The funds do not expire immediately. Families can choose to:

• Use the money when the student is ready for school or training

• Let the funds sit

• Move the funds into a ScholarShare 529 to grow

Core 6 helps families understand timelines and make informed choices.

There is no age limit to claim the scholarship. Funds can be used once the student is enrolled in an eligible post-secondary education or training program.