San Bernardino County students can claim up to $1,500 for college expenses

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – ScholarShare Investment Board invites high school seniors and college students to claim up to $1,500 to go towards college expenses.

California launched the CalKIDS program in 2022 to help families save for college. The program provides children with scholarship funds in special savings accounts.

“Studies show that students with just $500 or less set aside for college are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate,” said CalKids executive director Cassandra DiBenedetto.

Essay not required

In San Bernardino County, more than $166 million in CalKIDS Scholarships has been made available to public school students over the last three years for their higher education.

All children born in California on or after July 1, 2022 are eligible for funding.

The scholarship does not require students to submit essays, meet a minimum GPA, or provide recommendation letters.

Once it is claimed, eligible students can use the scholarship for tuition and fees, books and supplies, and computer equipment.

7 out of 10 are eligible for a scholarship

California State University, San Bernardino student Johanny said the CalKIDS scholarship offered much-needed financial relief.

“I had to work 2 jobs to pay for parking and books…I felt so relieved that I could finally pay for bills at university,” said Johanny.

According to Vizard Marketing & PR, roughly 7 out of 10 of San Bernardino County public school students are eligible for the scholarship.

For more information about the CalKids program visit https://calkids.org/