by Xochitl T. Canela
Latino families across California are being encouraged to take advantage of the state’s CalKIDS program, which offers financial assistance for higher education and technical training to eligible students.
The information was shared during a virtual forum organized by the OCPSC, where speakers also discussed the importance of protecting personal information through California’s DROP program.
During the presentation, Cecilia Arteaga, a representative of CalKIDS, explained that children born in California on or after June 1, 2022 automatically qualify for a state-funded scholarship ranging from $175 to $1,500.
The funds may be used for universities, community colleges and technical education programs, and remain available until students reach age 26.
Arteaga emphasized that parents’ immigration status does not affect a student’s eligibility for the program.
“The main requirement is having the student’s SSID,” she explained, referring to the state student identification number available through schools or report cards.
Families can verify eligibility and obtain additional information through the official CalKIDS website, which also offers resources in Spanish.
In Merced County, Isai Garnica Palma, assistant director of Valley Onward, said his organization has worked closely with school counselors to help students and families activate CalKIDS accounts.
“We have spoken with nearly 5,000 students in Merced County and activated more than 2,000 accounts, equivalent to nearly one million dollars in educational assistance,” Garnica Palma said.
He noted that one of the most successful outreach efforts took place in the Los Baños school district, where school assemblies informed students directly about the program and guided them through the activation process.
During one event, 161 students activated their accounts in only 37 minutes.
Lilia Ocampo, an activist with Centro CHA in Long Beach and Catalina Island, said community health fairs and local events have played an important role in connecting Latino families with the program.
Ocampo stressed that families with irregular immigration status face no risk in applying and said organizations are offering virtual assistance to help parents and students complete the process successfully and access educational funds available for their children’s future academic goals.
The forum also addressed privacy concerns and California’s DROP program, which beginning Aug. 1 will allow residents to request removal of personal information from commercial databases under the DELETE Act introduced by Josh Becker.
