Financial Literacy Initiative

Financial literacy can be the great equalizer in our society by creating the next generation of students who can live within their means and gain the knowledge to become financially prosperous. A goal is to help students avoid making poor decisions based on insufficient information, while learning how to make smart money choices work for them—including access to funds that remove barriers leading to post-secondary opportunities.

NEW STATE DASHBOARD MODELED AFTER RIVERSIDE COUNTY SCORECARD REVEALS STRATEGIC FOCUS ON ELIMINATING FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

More Riverside County Students Claim CalKIDS Funds for College Than Any Other County in California

“Since launching the CalKIDS dashboard in 2024, educators in Riverside County have been actively eliminating future barriers to college for thousands of families. We are thrilled to see that all California students will now benefit from this innovative approach of putting information at the fingertips of our schools to advance college and career readiness,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. 


CalKidsRCOE is proud to be working with the State of California in promoting the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS). CalKIDS gives children in California a jump start on saving for college or career training by providing free student savings accounts.

 

The Financial Literacy team will continue to focus on signing up students and families since Riverside County has at least 274,664 eligible students which represents a potential of $137,332,000 in savings accounts.


To be eligible for CalKIDS, participants must be:

  1. Born in California on or after July 1, 2022; or

  2. An eligible low-income public school student in grades 1-12* in California.

All participants receive a seed deposit in a CalKIDS account to help pay for future education after high school.

Please view the CalKIDS Webinar Powerpoint for more information.


100% CalKIDS Scholarship Claim Rate

Several schools across Riverside County have reached a powerful milestone; 100% of eligible students have claimed their CalKIDS Scholarships.

Through leadership and coordination from the Riverside County Office of Education, schools like Lasselle Elementary, West Riverside Elementary, Myra Lynn Elementary, Good Hope Elementary, and San Jacinto Leadership Academy are helping every eligible student access funds already set aside for their future.

These events highlight what’s possible when financial literacy is paired with direct outreach to students and families, turning awareness into action and ensuring no opportunity is left unclaimed.

Across Riverside County:

  • Over $178 million designated for students

  • More than 340,000 students eligible

  • More than $60 million already claimed

Read the full press release.


Riverside County CalKIDS By the Numbers

(As of 09/18/2026 per Scholarshare Investment Board and enrollment based on September 2026-2027 school year student enrollment)

Riverside County CalKIDS Scorecards

See Elementary Students Learn Financial Literacy with CalKIDS!