More than 100 Los Angeles Unified School District students have claimed CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500 each through a new financial literacy program that launched in March, with phase two set to begin this fall.
The financial literacy curriculum covers money management skills including evaluating higher education costs, navigating financial aid and understanding borrowing. Teachers integrate these lessons with CalKIDS program information.
The partnership between CalKIDS and digital education company EVERFI brought financial literacy curriculum to 52 LAUSD middle and high schools during the spring semester. Students learned budgeting, financial goal-setting and college financing while discovering their scholarship eligibility.
Students need only their 10-digit Statewide Student Identifier, available from their school, to check eligibility and claim accounts at CalKIDS.org. The process takes minutes to complete.
CalKIDS is a state-funded program that provides eligible California public school students with scholarships for college or career training. The program is administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board and chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
LAUSD teacher Juan Carlos Ochoa said the program prompted students who previously showed no interest in higher education to complete federal financial aid applications.
“Students who did not previously show an interest in pursuing higher education, expressed excitement in completing their FAFSA and claiming their CalKIDS Scholarship,” Ochoa said.
Research shows students with college savings are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate, according to program organizers. The CalKIDS initiative provides direct funding for higher education expenses.
“CalKIDS is more than a scholarship—it’s a signal to students that we believe in their future,” said Cassandra DiBenedetto, executive director of the ScholarShare Investment Board.
The partnership offers additional scholarship opportunities through an essay competition. Students can submit essays about financial education to compete for four $500 scholarships, providing support for those not eligible for CalKIDS funding.
EVERFI CEO Ray Martinez said the program connects students to funding resources beyond classroom instruction.
“By equipping students with knowledge and confidence to make smart financial decisions—and connecting them to resources like CalKIDS—we’re creating real opportunities for students,” Martinez said.
The program’s first phase concluded with the academic year, with expansion planned for fall semester. EVERFI provides educational resources to K-12 schools at no cost through third-party funding partnerships.
Students from across LAUSD’s 52 participating schools have checked their scholarship eligibility since the program began. The initiative demonstrates how financial education can connect students directly to college funding opportunities.
Students and families can check CalKIDS eligibility by visiting CalKIDS.org with the student’s Statewide Student Identifier.
