CalKIDS brings on-campus scholarship support to Fresno County districts

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — California’s CalKIDS program will help schools offer scholarship opportunities to students in grades 2-12 in Fresno County.

CalKIDS is partnering with county offices of education and school districts across California to bring scholarship claiming support directly to school communities, aiming to make it easier for eligible students to access their CalKIDS Scholarship Accounts.

In Fresno County, more than $74 million in CalKIDS Scholarships is available to eligible public-school students.

About 76% of public-school students in grades two through 12 are eligible for a scholarship worth up to $1,500.

“CalKIDS Scholarship Month is about meeting students where they are and making it easier for them to access resources that can help support their education after high school,” California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, said. “By bringing CalKIDS directly onto school campuses throughout California, we can help more students take this important step and claim their scholarship funds.”

Throughout September, participating school districts and campuses will host designated CalKIDS Scholarship claiming events where students and families can check eligibility and claim their scholarships on-site.

For students in grades nine through 12, schools also have access to CalKIDS Scholarship information through WebGrants for Institutions, the state’s financial aid platform, under a data-sharing agreement between CalKIDS and the California Student Aid Commission.

High school administrators can use the information to identify students with CalKIDS Scholarships and connect them with on-campus claiming opportunities during September and beyond.

Students and families can also check eligibility and claim a CalKIDS Scholarship online at any time at CalKIDS.org.

Once on the site, select “Confirm Eligibility.”Enter the student’s 10-digit Statewide Student Identifier, or SSID. The number may be available on a report card, transcript, school portal, or families can request it from the student’s school or counselor.If eligible, follow the prompts to claim the student’s CalKIDS Scholarship Account.

CalKIDS Scholarships can be used for qualified educational expenses, including tuition fees, books, supplies, computer equipment, and other eligible costs at accredited colleges, universities, career training programs, and vocational schools nationwide.

“As someone who is supporting themselves through school, any kind of financial contribution means the world to me,” said Nathalie Ramirez, a CalKIDS recipient and student from Fresno State University.

CalKIDS is supporting county offices of education and school districts with localized scholarship data, ready-to-use communications materials, outreach tools, and training resources to help expand claiming efforts during CalKIDS Scholarship Month and beyond.

Launched in 2022 and administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, CalKIDS has invested more than $2.4 billion in scholarships for more than 6 million California children and students to support college, career training, and other postsecondary education opportunities.