Celebrate 529 Day to Save for Postsecondary Programs

Nationwide, May 29 is 529 Day to remind families and friends that it has never been easier to help save for a child’s future. By contributing to a 529 savings plan, you help prepare a child for whatever path they choose. Whether your child is interested in an apprenticeship, a certification, an Associate's degree, a Bachelor's degree, or a graduate degree, your family can leverage local and state programs to cover the costs.

“Having as little as $500 in a college savings account makes [children] significantly more likely to attend college and graduate," said Libby Schaaf, President & CEO of the Bay Area Council and former Mayor of Oakland in her report "Advancing CalKIDS: Findings & recommendations for the nation's largest college savings account program. "Additionally, research shows that having these accounts creates higher levels of hope, educational expectations, a child’s college-bound identity, social-emotional development, early math and reading scores, better school attendance, and improved parental well-being.”

Mark your calendar for May 29 and take advantage of child savings accounts programs available to Californians!

Having as little as $500 in a college savings account makes [children] significantly more likely to attend college and graduate.
~ Libby Schaaf, President & CEO of the Bay Area Council and former Mayor of Oakland

ScholarShare 529

California’s college savings plan is called ScholarShare 529. From May 20 through May 31, 2026, college savers will receive a $50 bonus when they open a ScholarShare 529 account for a new beneficiary using promo code 529Day26, make an initial deposit of at least $50 and set up recurring contributions of $50 per month for six consecutive months. More information, including complete terms and conditions, can be found at ScholarShare529.com/529Day2026.

CalKIDS

If you have a newborn born in CA on or after July 1, 2022, or a low-income* public school student enrolled in grades 1-12 during the 2021-2022 academic year and every school year thereafter, you may be eligible for the state’s free child savings account, CalKIDS. You can also link your CalKIDS account with a new or existing ScholarShare 529 account to watch your college savings grow in one place. Check your eligibility and claim your account at CalKIDS.org.

*Eligibility determined by Local Control Funding Formula

HOPE

The HOPE for Children Trust Account Program provides $3,000 for California youth who spent 18+ months in the foster system or lost a parent or primary caregiver due to COVID. Check your eligibility and claim your account at hopeaccount.ca.gov.

Across California, there are locally-managed child savings account programs available to complement the above state programs! Collectively, 15 community-based CSA programs have disbursed over $30 Million to 200,000 children.

Check out the California Child Savings Account (CSA) Coalition which facilitates collaboration and builds capacity among organizations that connect kids to their CalKIDS, HOPE and local Child Savings Accounts. 

Make a commitment to share at least ONE (1) of the above programs/resources with your families and networks on May 29!