As summer approaches and college acceptance letters arrive in mailboxes across San Diego, San Diego Unified School District will host its third CalKIDS Money Festival of the school year on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Crawford High School (4191 Colts Way, San Diego).

This event continues the district’s ongoing initiative to help families and students access unclaimed college funds, building on the momentum of two successful Money Festivals held earlier this academic year. So far, over 300 students have received access to more than $150,000 in accounts opened through this program.

The third Money Festival in this series aims to help even more families access thousands of dollars in college funds. Organizers anticipate over 100 families will attend this event, where students can claim state-provided college savings funds already earmarked specifically for them.

“Our responsibility to our students doesn’t end at graduation,” said Dr. Fabi Bagula, San Diego Unified School District Superintendent (Interim). “This initiative ensures that even after students leave our district, we continue supporting their journey toward higher education. Helping them access these funds is a tangible expression of our belief in their potential and our commitment to their future success.”

“With college decisions being finalized and summer approaching, this is the perfect time for San Diego families to claim money that’s already been set aside for their educational future,” added Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, Trustee, San Diego Unified School District Board of Education. “Most of our students don’t realize they qualify for these funds, which require no essays, recommendation letters or minimum GPA requirements.”

The CalKIDS program, California’s automatic scholarship initiative and the nation’s largest child development account program, provides eligible California public school students with scholarships worth up to $1,500 to ease financial barriers to higher education. Students in second through 12th grades who meet specific criteria can access significant benefits, including $1,500 for foster youth and homeless students.

The event location at Crawford High School is particularly significant as it houses the district’s newcomer center designed to support refugee students, ensuring these vulnerable populations can also access available educational funding.

The Money Festival will also feature on-site assistance from district staff in providing Statewide Student Identifier Numbers (SSID); CalKIDS program representatives to answer questions; appearances by the San Diego Unified superintendent and board trustee; local representatives and community partner organizations; translation services; comprehensive family resources; car show, live music performances and family activities; and free refreshments while supplies last.

To claim the money, students need only their SSID from their school and can then claim their account on the CalKIDS website.

The entire process takes just minutes.