The California Cradle-to-Career Data System reports that as students return to campus, the system is helping connect more than 40,000 community college students with over $20 million in available scholarships from the California Kids Investment and Development Savings — CalKIDS — program, administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board.
Since the program launched in 2022, 1,282 families across Plumas County have claimed their CalKIDS “baby bond” account. However, C2C says many students may not know this money is waiting for them.
For students and families in Plumas County, these funds can provide additional support as they navigate the costs of pursuing higher education. Local students who are eligible may already have scholarship funds waiting to be claimed and used toward qualified college expenses.
The timing is especially important for first-generation students who may be navigating college costs and financial aid for the first time. Up to $1,500 can help pay for tuition, books, computer equipment and supplies needed to begin the semester and stay enrolled, said C2C. California consumer prices were 3.4% higher in June than a year earlier, making back-to-school expenses even harder for many families.
C2C’s Student Pathways Dashboard follows the trajectories of graduating high school students from the class of 2014-15 over time. From Plumas Unified School District, 52% first enrolled in a two-year college, while 13% first enrolled in a four-year college. Of the students who graduated from PUSD, 52% received an associate’s degree, and 20% received a community college certificate in 2023-24. Fifty-six percent of Plumas Unified students who attended a two-year college worked while they were enrolled in school, with a median wage of $20,046.
C2C emphasizes that this scholarship money is already available to eligible students. It is not a loan, and it does not have to be repaid. Eligible students may have up to $1,500 available. Eligibility and award amounts vary. The 40,000 students identified through this effort are enrolled at California community colleges.
The funds can help pay for qualified higher-education expenses, including tuition, books, computer equipment and supplies.
Students and families can quickly check eligibility and claim an account at CalKIDS.org or by going to their community college financial aid office. Funds must be used before age 26.
