California college savings accounts aren’t getting to all the kids who need them

If you or your child were enrolled in a California public school in first grade through high school in 2021-22, you might have money for college waiting for you.
More than a year and a half ago, California launched a big initiative to help children from low income families save money for college. It’s called the California Kids Investment and Development Savings program, or just CalKIDS.
The program has the potential to serve 3.6 million kids, but only a tiny fraction of those have signed up to activate their accounts.
Who’s eligible for CalKIDS? And what needs to happen to get the word out to more families?
Guests:

• Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas, Board trustee, Fresno Unified School District


• Lasherica Thornton, Reporter, EdSource

Read more from EdSource:

• What to know about free money waiting in state-funded savings accounts | Quick Guide (edsource.org/2...)


• Few low-income Californians claiming kids' free money in college savings accounts (edsource.org/2...)


• Find out if you or your child is eligible here (calkids.org/?f...)

Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.