Kindergarten to College
Oakland Promise Kindergarten to College (K2C) helps each elementary and middle school student in Oakland think of themselves as a college-bound individual. We provide an Oakland Promise Scholarship, offer incentives to open a family-owned College Savings Account (CSA) and implement college & career programming.
Start Saving for College Now!
All families with K-5th grade students: Activate your account now!
Starting in the fall of 2016 and onward, every Oakland public school Kindergartner has $100 set aside in their Oakland Promise Scholarship account. You also have the option to open and/or connect a family-owned college savings account.
Activate & View Scholarship
View your Oakland Promise Scholarship account
Open
Earn another $75 through a family-owned college savings account
Make a Deposit
Into your personal college savings account
The first $100 earned in Kindergarten stays with the family even if they move out of Oakland. Students earn additional scholarship amounts at 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th & 12 grade if they gradate from an Oakland public high school and enroll into post-secondary.
Kindergarten to College (K2C) is the elementary and middle school component of Oakland Promise.
Our goal is for each elementary and middle school student in Oakland to think of themselves as a college-bound individual. Here are the aspects of our program that help make that happen:
College Savings Account Options - Earn $75 for free!
K2C will support your family to open up a savings account for college and earn a one-time $75 when you open the account. K2C partners with two organizations: my529 & Self-Help Federal Credit Union. Your family can choose which option best fits your family's needs.
my529 College Savings Account
Choose this option if:
- You and your child have a SSN or ITIN.
- You are currently banked and/or can make contributions by direct deposit, money order, bank transfers, or check. Cash deposits not available.
- You wish to open an interest-bearing account (investments that grow over time).
Self-Help Federal Credit Union Student Savings Account
Choose this option if:
- You do not have a SSN or ITIN.
- You wish to visit a physical bank to make cash or check deposits (SHFCU is located in West Oakland)
- You wish to open a non-interest bearing account. Interest bearing accounts are available when a tax ID is provided.
Our Impact by the Numbers
60 Schools
Implementing K2C
25,000 students
Awarded an early college scholarship since the 2016-2017 school year
611 Savings Accounts for College
Opened by families with the help of K2C
800+ Families
Attended financial literacy and academic workshops
56% of K2C Kids
With savings accounts for college would be first in their families to graduate college.
55% of Schools
Participating in K2C rated “Excellent” in building College-Going culture.
Kindergarten to College Partners
K2C partners with different community based organizations to offer students and families financial, academic, and general well-being resources
Interested in Becoming a Partner?
K2C In The News
www.norc.org
Prospective Evaluation of the Oakland Promise Kindergarten to College (K2C) Program
Kindergarten to College (K2C) initiative is a component of Oakland Promise’s cradle to career approach. K2C aims to lay the foundations...
www.norc.org
Retrospective Evaluations and Prospective Evaluation Planning of Oakland Promise “Cradle to Career” Programs
NORC is collaborating with the Oakland Promise to better understand impacts of programs the Promise is implementing to promote access into and completion of college for Oakland students. Oakland Promise is taking a “cradle-to-career” approach to providing Oakland’s children with the skills, resources, and aspirations to graduate from high school, complete college and be successful in a career of their choice. Oakland Promise programs include Brilliant Baby, the Kindergarten to College initiative (K2C), the Future Centers program (for middle school [FC-MS] and high school [FC-HS]) and the College Scholarship & College Completion (CSC) program.
www.norc.org
News from NORC
News from NORC
Meet the K2C Team
Christie Chu
Program Associate, Kindergarten to College (K2C)
Donte Rodgers
Program Associate, Kindergarten to College (K2C)
Luis Galvan
Program Associate, Kindergarten to College (K2C)
Rene Galvez
Middle School Manager, Kindergarten to College (K2C)
Sophie Netter
Coordinator, Kindergarten to College (K2C)
Stephenique Allen
Manager, Kindergarten to College (K2C)
Veena Pawloski
Director, Kindergarten to College (K2C)
Vinh Trinh
Future Center/OUSD Liaison
Resources
View all resourcesScholarships and Mental Health Resources for Students
FindHelp.org: Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs
K2C FAQ's: A detailed list of K2C's frequently asked questions and responses.
Signing up for a SHFCU Savings Account: Unique Self Help Federal Credit Union savings account enrollment form.
Signing up for a my529 CSA: Description of an interest growing 529 college savings account and questionnaire enrollment form.
Verifying your child's ECSF: This online tool allows you to verify whether your child has received their Early College Scholarship Fund
What is the K2C Early College Scholarship Fund - ECSF? (Video): Explainer video for the K2C Early College Scholarship Fund and eligibility.
K2C & Partner Schools: Official 2019-2020 K2C program brochure detailing activities and partner schools.
Healthy Food Resources in Alameda County
OUSD Family Central Website: OUSD Website for families. It includes resources for distance learning, technology, food, health, and legal assistance.
The Oakland Reach (The City-Wide Virtual Hub): Here families will receive the help they need to survive this moment intact, housed, and physically and mentally healthy — including individual guidance through a Family Liaison, seminars, and connections to services.
What is DACA?
Stay Informed
Learn the latest news on Oakland Promise and in the field of education and community in Oakland.
Testimonials
“During distance learning caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, the partnership with K2C was invaluable. K2C partnered with us by creating incentives to improve academic engagement for our 5th graders and Kindergarteners. The presence of K2C was felt throughout our school community through the Innovation Grant and school supplies.”
Principal
from Lincoln Elementary
“I’m going to be honest, I think you guys did an excellent job. Everyone had to move everything to distance learning. Especially the college week, I loved the ceremony. I logged onto the 6:30 one and there was one boy super into it ... I thought you guys did an excellent job and it was well thought out. You gave the families many opportunities to join in different events this year as well.”
Tina Linarez
at Carl Munck
“The K2C program and early college scholarships do so much to help build a strong college and career culture at our school! Not only does the program provide workshops for students and families but the city-funded early college scholarships have allowed families to begin having conversations at home around college and bring our students one step closer to achieving their future goals.”
Community Schools Manager
at Bella Vista
Video Testimonial
Reach out to the K2C Team
Do you have any questions about K2C? Please fill out this form and a member of our team will be in touch.
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