Workshop: Saving for Education

Wednesday, 4/29/2026
1:00 - 2:00

Learn how to make the most of your savings for future education and training expenses using programs available to San Francisco families, including Kindergarten to College (K2C), ScholarShare 529 and CalKIDS.

In this workshop, experts from the K2C and ScholarShare teams will walk you through your options and provide step-by-step guidance. Participants will learn how the programs work together and get practical tips to make informed decisions about saving for education and how to take advantage of available benefits.

You’ll also get answers to all your questions about:

  • Saving with K2C, ScholarShare 529 and CalKIDS
  • How to open a 529 and transfer K2C funds
  • How to check and claim eligibility for CalKIDS

This program is ideal for families looking to better understand and coordinate their education and college savings options.

 

About K2C, ScholarShare 529 and CalKIDS:

San Francisco’s Kindergarten to College program (K2C) is the first universal, automatic Child Savings Account program in the country. Founded in 2011 by Mayor Gavin Newsom (now Governor) and Treasurer José Cisneros, K2C automatically opens a savings account seeded with $50 in public funds for every child entering kindergarten in SF’s public schools, putting students on a path to college from their first day of school.  Learn more at www.K2CSF.org.

A 529 plan is an investment account that allows earnings to possibly grow free from federal income tax and be withdrawn tax free when funds are used for qualified educational expenses including books, fees, supplies and tuition at universities, community colleges or trade schools. ScholarShare 529 is California’s official college savings plan, administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, which is chaired by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA. Learn more at www.scholarshare529.com and www.scholarshare-espanol.com.

CalKIDS Scholarship Accounts gives children in California financial support for college or career training. To be eligible for CalKIDS, there is a newborn (born in California on or after July 1, 2022) and school-age component (e.g. Low-income California public school student in grades 1-12 as of the 2021-2022 school year or in grade 2 in a subsequent school year). Enrollment in CalKIDS is automatic. Eligible beneficiaries are identified by the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Education. No action or financial commitment is required of families to participate.  Learn more at www.CalKIDS.org.

 

About the presenters:

Mohan Kanungo champions 529 ScholarShare and CalKIDS alongside San Francisco's Kindergarten to College (K2C). Previously, he led innovation and community engagement at Children's Council of SF and Mission Asset Fund (MAF), addressing financial and social inclusion for veterans, immigrants, survivors of domestic violence, and low-income families. A UC San Diego graduate in International and Ethnic Studies, Mohan recently completed his certificate in personal financial planning through UC Berkeley Extension.

Dana Salas is an Outreach Specialist with the ScholarShare Investment Board, where she focuses on educating communities about ScholarShare 529 and CalKIDS.  Her work involves outreach with families, students, community organizations, public agencies, and key stakeholders to increase awareness and access to college savings opportunities. She regularly incorporates Spanish-language outreach to better serve diverse communities across California.


Get expert help in managing your finances and learn how to make well-informed financial decisions about spending, saving, taxes, investing, retirement, estate planning and more.

Programs for parents and caregivers spotlighting early literacy and child development.

Presentations on a wide menu of topics, ranging from the basics on saving, financial planning and cash flow management, to investing, retirement planning, property tax and insurance sub-limits throughout the month of April.


This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.


Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.


Public Notice and Disclaimer

This program uses a third-party website link. By clicking on the third-party website link, you will leave SFPL's website and enter a website not operated by SFPL. This service may collect personally identifying information about you, such as name, username, email address, and password. This service will treat the information it collects about you pursuant to its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of each third-party website or service that you visit or use, including those third parties with whom you interact through our Library services. For more information about these third-party links, please see the section of SFPL’s Privacy Policy describing Links to Other Sites.

The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.