Opinion: Giving every California newborn a head start on college

When I talk with parents of newborns, I often hear about the joy and exhaustion of welcoming a baby into the world: assembling the crib, stocking up on diapers, and, inevitably, preparing for sleepless nights. Those early months are filled with hope, excitement and worry, in equal measure. Yet amid all the planning and emotions that come with having a newborn, there’s one thing many parents aren’t thinking about — how to start saving for their child’s education. 

That is why I am proud California is changing that story. Through the CalKIDS Program, every baby born in our state on or after July 1, 2022, is automatically awarded their very first scholarship, up to $175, in a CalKIDS Scholarship Account. These funds are invested in California’s ScholarShare 529 plan, the state’s official college savings program. It’s the first step of a new kind of public investment, one that begins not in high school or college, but right from birth and helps families prepare for future educational or training opportunities.

As California’s state treasurer, I’ve seen firsthand how public investments strengthen families and expand opportunities. CalKIDS is one of those transformative investments because it reflects my core belief: When we provide families with a financial first step like a scholarship for their newborn, we don’t just change their balance sheets, we change their belief in what’s possible. 

Since the program’s launch in 2022, more than 1 million newborns have been enrolled, representing an $89 million public investment in California’s commitment to cradle-to-career success. And claiming your baby’s scholarship is simple. All you need is a few minutes online at CalKIDS.org.

Claiming the account is just the first step; what follows is opportunity. Over time, the funds may grow and later be used for a range of qualified higher education expenses, including tuition, books and supplies at eligible colleges and career training programs across the country. 

Postsecondary education may feel like a distant milestone, but this first step can make a lasting difference for families. One father, Joshua Tan, shared with me: “I appreciate the forward thinking of CalKIDS by investing in the education of our next generation. Starting to save for college early will pay dividends in the long run.”

And while debates continue over the value of a degree, the evidence remains clear: Higher education continues to be one of the most reliable pathways to economic mobility. As the cost of higher education rises, programs like CalKIDS play a crucial role in helping families — especially those who may not have seen college as a viable path — build a college-bound mindset and plan for the future. 

Decades of research backs this up. Studies show that children with even modest savings are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate. Washington University in St. Louis’s long-running SEED OK study found that a small investment at birth can change family behavior and expectations for years to come, especially for marginalized households and communities of color. These small investments help close long-standing gaps in educational equity and send a powerful message to children: The future is yours.

That’s why CalKIDS is not just a scholarship, it’s a spark. Parents across California are joining the state in saving for their children’s future by opening personal ScholarShare 529 Accounts linked directly to their child’s CalKIDS Account. 

The results are remarkable: Over 50,000 new ScholarShare 529 Accounts were opened in a single year, a record high. For babies under age one, new ScholarShare 529 Account openings jumped 92% compared to the year before CalKIDS launched. Families saving through ScholarShare 529 are more diverse and more representative of California now more than ever before. 

As state treasurer and chair of the ScholarShare Investment Board, which administers both CalKIDS and ScholarShare 529, I am proud of what CalKIDS stands for: the belief that every child, no matter their background, deserves a future filled with opportunity. 

So while you’re adjusting to life with a newborn — crib built, diapers stocked, sleep sacrificed — take one more small, but powerful step. Visit CalKIDS.org and claim your baby’s first scholarship. 

Ma is the California state treasurer.