California Early Wealth Account Resource Library

Access outreach, enrollment, and educational materials from child savings accounts and early wealth-building programs across California, all in one place.

State Programs

CalKIDS

CalABLE

ScolarShare 529

HOPE – Trust Account

Federal Programs

530A Trump Accounts

Local California CSA Programs

California is home to 13 locally operated Child Savings Account programs. As of February 2025, these programs collectively provide 180,000 children and youth with over $26 million invested for their college futures. Each program is unique in its design, eligibility requirements, and benefits; many offer seed deposits, financial coaching, and incentives for families who engage with the program.

State Programs

CalKIDS (California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program)

Website: www.calkids.org

CalKIDS is California’s statewide children’s savings account program, administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board. It is the nation’s largest state-run CSA program, automatically opening scholarship accounts for eligible California children with an initial seed deposit.

Who Is Eligible?

Confirm your eligibility here! There are two groups of children eligible for CalKIDS:

  • Newborns: All children born in California on or after July 1, 2022 are eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship Account. Please wait up to 90 days after your child’s birth for the account to be created.
  • Public school students: Students who were enrolled in grades 1–12 during the 2021–2022 school year, or students enrolled in 1st grade during the 2022–2023 school year and each year thereafter. To qualify, the child must have been enrolled on Fall Census Day (October) and identified as an English Learner or low-income by the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), with data reported to the California Department of Education.

How Are Funds Used?

CalKIDS money can be used at eligible higher education institutions across the country, including community colleges, universities, vocational schools, and professional schools. Funds cannot be added directly into a CalKIDS account — to grow the fund, families are encouraged to also open a ScholarShare 529 account and link it to CalKIDS.

What You Need to Claim CalKIDS – School age

  • Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) or CalKIDS Code from a letter received from the California Office of the Treasurer
  • Child’s date of birth
  • County where the child goes to school

What You Need to Claim CalKIDS – Newborn

  • Birth Certificate Local Registration Number (LRN) or CalKIDS Code from a letter received from the California Office of the Treasurer
  • Child’s date of birth
  • County where the child was born

Key Resources:

ScholarShare 529 – California’s College Savings Plan

Website: www.scholarshare529.com

ScholarShare 529 is California’s official 529 college savings plan, administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board — the same state agency that runs CalKIDS. It is the recommended way for families to grow their child’s college savings over time, and it can be directly linked to a CalKIDS account so all funds are visible in one place.

Eligibility: A ScholarShare 529 account falls into two categories: Account Owners and Beneficiaries. The requirements are highly flexible and open to almost anyone.

  • Account Owner: Any U.S. citizen or resident alien who is at least 18 years old and has a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) can open an account. Parents, grandparents, other family members, friends, and even certain trusts or estates can be account owners.
  • Beneficiary: The person named to receive the funds can be anyone with a valid SSN or TIN. This can be your child, grandchild, friend, a relative, or even yourself. There are no income restrictions or state residency requirements to be a beneficiary.
    • Funds can be used at any accredited college, university, vocational school, or apprenticeship program nationwide (and some abroad).

How to Get Started:

Opening a ScholarShare 529 account takes about 15 minutes online. Free consultations are available in English or Spanish with a ScholarShare 529 college savings specialist. Open an account here: scholarshare529.com

Key Resources:

HOPE Trust Accounts

Website: https://hopeaccount.ca.gov
State Treasurer info: www.treasurer.ca.gov/hope

The HOPE Program was created to address the wealth gap and disrupt cycles of intergenerational poverty by establishing trust accounts for some of California’s most vulnerable children. The program provides a $3,000 trust account to eligible youth, funded by the State of California.

Who Is Eligible?

Foster youth:

  • You were a California resident and in foster care on or after September 27, 2022.
  • You were placed in California or tribal foster care for more than 18 months (18 months don’t have to be consecutive) and are no longer receiving Family Reunification Services, or you were placed in foster care after age 16 and Family Reunification Services have been terminated.
    • Youth must be 13 years or older to self-apply. If youth are under 13, a legal adult must complete the application.
      • Note: Eligibility for Foster youth is determined by the Department of Social Services (CDSS). All foster youth who believe they qualify are encouraged to apply.

COVID-bereaved youth:

  • You lost a parent, legal guardian, or Indian custodian to COVID-19 contracted during the federally declared public health emergency (January 31, 2020 to May 11, 2023), and
  • You were under 18 and a resident of California when they passed, and
  • Your family’s income was below the Medical for Children limit

How Does It Work?

HOPE staff work with the California Department of Social Services and the Franchise Tax Board verify eligibility. Once eligibility is confirmed, HOPE enrolls the youth, creates a HOPE trust account, and makes a one-time $3,000 deposit. Funds have no use restrictions and can support their transition into adulthood. Participants also have access to free financial education and planning services.

Key Resources:

CalABLE – California ABLE Program

Website: https://calable.ca.gov/

CalABLE is California’s tax-advantaged savings and investment plan for people with disabilities. CalABLE allows beneficiaries to save up to $20,000 a year in eight professionally managed portfolios, and investment earnings spent on qualified expenses are tax-free. Additionally, beneficiaries who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can save up to $100,000 while maintaining SSI benefits. Accounts can be opened and managed by the person with the disability or by their representative. With a CalABLE account, you can save for the future and prepare for a lifetime of financial independence.

Who Is Eligible? – To be eligible for a CalABLE account, the beneficiary must:

  • Have a disability or qualifying medical condition that began before age 46 (expanded from age 26 as of January 1, 2026, under the ABLE Age Adjustment Act)
  • Have a valid Social Security number or tax identification number
  • Have a U.S. permanent address that is not a P.O. Box
  • Meet one of the following: be eligible for SSI or SSDI because of a disability, have a condition on the Social Security Administration’s List of Impairments or Compassionate Allowances, or provide self-certification of a qualifying disability

Key Resources:

Federal Programs

530A Trump Accounts

Official IRS Website: irs.gov/trumpaccounts
Account Portal: trumpaccounts.gov

530A Trump Accounts (also called Section 530A Accounts) are a new type of federal, tax-advantaged investment account for children. They are structured as a special type of Individual Retirement Account (IRA) owned by the child but managed by an authorized adult while the child is a minor.

Who Is Eligible?

  • Any child under the age of 18 who has a valid Social Security number is eligible for a 530A account.
  • $1,000 Pilot Program (Baby Bonus): Children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, who are U.S. citizens with Social Security numbers qualify for a one-time $1,000 federal seed deposit from the U.S. Treasury.

The Basics

  • Get $1,000 for every American child born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028.
  • The account is fully in your child’s name, and you are the sole custodian until they turn 18.
  • Let it grow on its own, or add up to $5,000 per year to maximize growth.

How to Open an Account:

  • Confirm your child is under 18 and has a valid Social Security number.
  • Complete IRS Form 4547 (Trump Account Election(s)). This form can be filed with your 2025 federal income tax return or submitted separately.
  • Alternatively, use the online portal at trumpaccounts.gov

Key Resources:

Local California CSA Programs

Advancing Modoc Youth – Child Savings Account Program

Website: https://advancingmodoc.org/grow
Location: Modoc County, California

A locally operated CSA program supporting children and youth in Modoc County. The Modoc Child Savings Account program makes post- secondary education possible for ALL Modoc graduates! If your Kindergartener attends SV Elementary or Alturas Elementary, do nothing- your child will receive a $500 account that will grow until they graduate from high school!

Aspire Boys & Girls Club of San Jose

Website: https://bgclub.org/aspires/
Location: San Jose, California

A CSA program affiliated with the Boys & Girls Club network, supporting youth in the San Jose area with college savings accounts. Aspires is an invitation-based program for students at Overfelt and San Jose High School. Students in the program will receive financial awards as they complete different tasks connected to college and career readiness.

Through the program, students may earn up to $5,000 to support their post-secondary educational goals. At its core, Aspires aims to change students’ attitudes and behaviors related to graduating high school and succeeding in post-secondary education and the Silicon Valley workforce.

Aspires charts a college-going path by offering scholarship dollars for actions students take to align themselves with academic success. When they graduate, those dollars can help them overcome financial barriers to college. Guideposts present opportunities for students to aggregate “scholar dollars” by highlighting decisions and outcomes that will put them on a college-going path, such as strong academic performance, taking core A-G classes required for CSU admission, completing modules in an evidence-based curriculum, applying for financial assistance programs, and participating in extracurricular activities that bolster their college applications. Students can earn up to $5,000 in scholarships to defray the costs of tuition, textbooks, transportation, fees, and/or living expenses.

College In My Future – Excite Foundation

Website: excitefoundation.org/childrens-savings
Location: Silicon Valley / Santa Clara County, California

A college savings initiative through the Excite Foundation, designed to create a savings mindset and financial foundation for children in the community. College In My Future (CIMF) is designed to encourage hope, build savings, assist with career training or college expenses, and increase financial education. The program is managed by the Excite Foundation. Each first grader enrolled in the Franklin-McKinley School District during 2021 is automatically enrolled with an account. The account was opened with a $50 deposit from Excite Foundation and will earn a 5% annual savings bonus for at least the first two years on balances of up to $2,500. Parents or legal guardians are provided the opportunity to opt out of the program.

Step Up Savings – Excite Credit Union

Website: excitecu.org
Location: Silicon Valley / Santa Clara County, California

A child savings program operated by Excite Credit Union. Opens dedicated savings accounts for children to build financial habits and save for their future. Excite Credit Union’s Step Up Savings is a youth savings program designed to help families build education savings over time, though it is exclusively available to families affiliated with one of Excite CU’s Community Relations Partners

To get started, Excite CU deposits $50 to open the account — no opening deposit is required from the family — and the account earns a strong 5% APY on balances up to $2,500 with no minimum balance requirement

The credit union also contributes $25 milestone deposits on the child’s 5th, 10th, 15th, and 18th birthdays, plus an annual matching deposit of up to $25 as long as the family deposits at least $25 into the account that year

Glendale Unified School District – College Success Fund

Website: https://gusd.net
Location: Glendale, California

The College Success Fund is operated by the Glendale Unified School District and provides students with college savings accounts, giving every student a dedicated financial foundation for post-secondary education. All GUSD students who were enrolled in first grade during the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 school years are beneficiaries of this program and have already received an introductory contribution in their name.

Oakland Promise – Brilliant Baby

Website: https://www.oaklandpromise.org/early-learning
Location: Oakland, California Residents

Through the program, eligible Oakland children ages 0-5 receive a $500 college savings account, while their caregivers receive financial education, financial incentives, and community support to help grow these early investments into bright futures. This program is the first step on Oakland Promise’s cradle-to-career continuum, which promotes economic mobility through post-secondary access and completion. They provide services in English, Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Mam.

Eligibility Requirements to Enroll in the CSA Account:

  • Ages 0-5
  • Oakland Resident
  • Primary caregiver is Medi-Cal Eligible

Oakland Promise – Promise Scholarship

Website: www.oaklandpromise.org/our-initiatives-3-1
Location: Oakland, California

The Kindergarten to 12th Grade program provides early college savings accounts and scholarships to help students and families plan for the future—ensuring every child sees college as not only possible, but expected. Every K-10th grade Oakland public school student has a $500 Promise Scholarship waiting to be claimed. Students can earn additional funds in 12th grade with final awards upon graduating and enrolling in college. This scholarship can be used after high school toward a 2-year college, 4-year college, or eligible certificate program.

Opportunity L.A.

Website: OpportunityLA.com
Location: Los Angeles, California

Opportunity L.A. is providing every first-grade student in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) with a savings account to help their family begin building toward their college education and future. This free program was designed to reduce wealth gaps, promote a college-going culture, and support long-term financial empowerment for families across Los Angeles.

Subject to budget availability, as soon as you register your Opportunity L.A. account, the program will add $50 to your account to help you start saving.

Opportunity L.A. Benefits:

  • No Effect on the FAFSA process or other public benefit programs
    • The custodial structure of our accounts also protects your student from any potential financial aid displacement when they apply for financial aid during the college applications process. It also prevents funds you save from counting as assets when determining your eligibility for other public benefit programs.
  • Growth with Interest
    • Money saved in your account earns an interest rate of 3%.
  • Open and Free to All
    • Opportunity L.A. accounts are available to all LAUSD students, regardless of their family’s income, background, or immigration status.
  • Easy Access
    • Families can make deposits conveniently via direct deposit, bill pay, mail, or in person at a local Rize Credit Union branch.

San Francisco Kindergarten to College (K2C)

Website: sfgov.org/k2c
Location: San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s Kindergarten to College program (K2C) automatically opens a savings account seeded with $50 in public funds for every K-12 student in SF’s public schools, putting students on a path to college from their first day of school. Students can grow their savings through family contributions as well as rewards earned by logging into their account, participating in contests, and joining program events.

K2C celebrated its inaugural graduating class in 2023. An independent evaluation shows the program increases college enrollment rates, particularly among underrepresented students.

San Joaquin A+

Website: https://csaplus.org/
Location: San Joaquin County, California

A locally operated CSA program serving children in the San Joaquin Valley. The California Student Aid Commission awarded San Joaquin County $4.6 million to pilot this brand-new program. The goal is to provide approximately 4,300 3- and 4-year-old students enrolled in a local county- or state-subsidized preschool program with a $400 deposit into a CSA. By the time your child turns 18 and graduates high school, their CSA will likely have grown to a minimum of $1,800!

Eligibility:

Any 3- and 4-year-old child currently enrolled in a state-subsidized preschool program in San Joaquin County (e.g., California State Preschool Program or Head Start) is eligible to participate in this program.

Santa Cruz Community Ventures – Semillitas

Website: https://www.semillitas.org/
Location: Santa Cruz County, California

A CSA program by Santa Cruz Community Ventures serving families in the Santa Cruz area. “Semillitas” means “little seeds” — a fitting name for a program dedicated to planting the seeds of educational opportunity for every child.

With the community’s support, you can make the most of your child’s account with milestone deposits. These deposits can be made to their accounts when you attend workshops, take your child to their doctor’s visits, get your child their shots and bring them to the dentist once a year. With the help of our community partners, your child could have $500 by the time they turn 5.

How does the program work? Semillitas is a free savings program for all babies born in Santa Cruz County. Your child can use this money for college or other training after high school.

  • Put in up to $50 to start with.
  • As your child reaches milestones, community partners will add more money.
  • By the time your child is 5 years old, there could be as much as $500 in the account. This will keep growing over the years.

Value Schools LA

Website: https://www.valueschools.com
Location: Los Angeles, California

A CSA program connected to Value Schools in the Los Angeles area, helping students at participating schools open and grow college savings accounts. Value Schools is committed to empowering our students and families. They’ve forged partnerships with generous donors from Capital Group’s Equity and Justice Program and the financial experts at Northwestern Mutual. Together, they are dedicated to supporting students and families as they embark on their journey to establish 529 Education Investment Accounts.

Requirements:

  • Your current kindergarten student must plan to return to Value Schools for 1st grade.
  • The 529 Education Account owner must be over the age of 18, but they don’t need to be a parent or guardian.
    • The Account Owner and Beneficiary (the student) must be U.S. citizens or residents with a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

West Sacramento Home Run — Ready! Set! Save!

Website: https://www.wshomerun.org/
Location: West Sacramento, California

The Ready! Set! Save! program is part of the West Sacramento Home Run initiative, which helps children and families in West Sacramento build college savings and develop financial literacy skills. The West Sacramento Home Run offers financial incentives to local families to encourage saving for college or other postsecondary training.

The West Sacramento Home Run’s Ready, Set, Save! program grants every West Sacramento resident under the age of 19 the opportunity to earn up to $1,000 from the City of West Sacramento for their college savings by completing positive academic, civic, and career readiness activities! You can even open your account before your child is born.

Eligibility Tool: https://www.wshomerun.org/eligibility-tool

Last updated: August 2026