FONTANA, CA – Fontana Unified School District brought CalKIDS Scholarship claiming support directly to students on Oct. 8, as Fontana High School (FOHI) hosted California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Ted Alejandre, and education partners for an event focused on helping students access financial resources for their future education and career goals.

The event brought together nearly 1,200 students, educators, community members, and elected officials and featured a hands-on claiming activity to help students take the next step toward accessing their CalKIDS accounts. Fontana Unified also welcomed students from Date Elementary School and Fontana Middle School, who were paired with FOHI seniors to help support the scholarship claiming process.

“To the students here today, California has already invested in your future,” Ma said. “Whether your next step is college, career training, a trade, or another educational pathway, your CalKIDS Scholarship is there to help you pursue it.”

CalKIDS provides eligible California public school students with scholarships of up to $1,500 to help cover qualified education expenses at community colleges, universities, career training programs, trade schools, vocational schools, and other eligible institutions. Eligible students have a minimum of $500 available in their accounts, with some accounts providing up to $1,500.

FOHI senior and Associated Student Body President Charrie Alvarez shared how the scholarship will support her own plans after graduation. A first-generation college student, Alvarez plans to attend California State University, San Bernardino to study psychology and become a school counselor.

“The $500 scholarship will help my first year at CSUSB be more affordable by covering expenses that I wouldn’t be able to cover alone,” Alvarez said. “I’m very happy and excited to know that this next generation of Steelers will have opportunities and support from people and organizations to get them through high school and into post-secondary options.”

The event also highlighted the role Fontana Unified schools play in connecting students and families with resources that support their goals after graduation. FOHI Principal Joseph Malatesta encouraged students to view CalKIDS as another resource as they prepare for college, career training, and other postsecondary opportunities.

“Today, we launch the CalKIDS claim process,” Malatesta said. “You have worked hard to prepare for what’s next, and CalKIDS is another resource to help make those next steps more attainable. This is California’s investment in you, your goals, and your future.”

The Fontana Unified event builds on CalKIDS Scholarship Month in September and ongoing outreach throughout the District and San Bernardino County.

Across the county, more than 348,000 eligible students have CalKIDS Scholarship Accounts available to them, representing nearly $162 million in available scholarships. Elementary and middle schools are communicating with families through school-based channels, while high schools are helping eligible students claim their accounts and understand how to use the funds for future education and career training.

“Our job is not simply to help you earn a diploma. Our responsibility is to prepare you to leave us with choices — with the knowledge, skills, experiences, resources, and confidence to decide what comes next,” Fontana Unified Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “You may not know exactly what you want to do yet, and that’s OK. Part of being ready for the day after graduation is making sure you have as many options available to you as possible.”

Fontana Unified students and families can check eligibility, claim a CalKIDS Scholarship Account, and learn more at CalKIDS.org.

PHOTO CAPTIONS: 

FUSD_CALKIDS1: Fontana Unified School District brought CalKIDS Scholarship claiming support directly to students on Oct. 8, bringing together nearly 1,200 students, educators, community members, and elected officials and featuring a hands-on claiming activity to help students take the next step toward accessing their CalKIDS accounts.

FUSD_CALKIDS2: Fontana High School (FOHI) hosted California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Ted Alejandre, and education partners for an event focused on helping students access financial resources for their future education and career goals.