May 29, 2025
Students from low-income families and English learners are automatically awarded $500 for college or career training through a California program. Foster youth and homeless students get another $500 on top of that. But students, or their parents or guardians, have to claim the money. And many families are unaware of this program.
How do you find out if you have money waiting for you? What is California doing to try to get more students to claim their accounts?
Guests:
- Stephanie Martinez Anaya, College success coach, Riverside County
- Lasherica Thornton, Reporter, EdSource
Read more from EdSource:
- More, but not enough, Californians accessing free money for college, career
- Getting California’s students to access free money relies on community partnerships
Click here to find out if you or your student has college money
Education Beat is a weekly podcast, hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.
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