SAN DIEGO — More than $8 million is up for grabs for new parents in San Diego County — part of a $2 billion investment statewide.

Every newborn now automatically receives a scholarship to eventually go toward higher education.

The money comes from the state through the CalKids program, which aims to give every child a head start on paying for college tuition — even books and supplies.

“It’s the fastest and easiest scholarship anyone can receive in California,” said Humphrey Manacsa, Outreach Data Specialist for CalKids.

It might seem early, but long before applications and essays, every baby born in San Diego County already has a scholarship waiting in their name — worth up to $175.

“Just thinking that someone believes in them — in this case, the state of California believes in them by giving them a scholarship right off the bat,” Manacsa said.

The state is giving newborns and children born on or after July 2022 up to $175 to let grow over the next 18 years.

“The funds in these scholarships are automatically invested by the State of California, so they have the potential to grow over time,” Manacsa added.

You don’t even have to apply — just log on to calkids.org and accept the money. The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program believes education is empowerment — and that money makes it more attainable for the next generation to succeed.

“Even if kids start with a minimal amount of savings, they’re three times more likely to go to college and four times more likely to graduate,” Manacsa said.

The invested money can be used at colleges, universities, trade schools, and apprenticeships. Since the program launched, 700,000 families have already turned possibility into action.

“They grow over time — think of 18 years. It can grow a lot,” he added.

CalKids says education is one of the most powerful tools to break the cycle of poverty, noting that a college degree can nearly double lifetime earnings.

“We’re trying to get these conversations about financial literacy started as early as we can and make an impact in all of these students’ lives,” Manacsa said.

Over the years, families will be able to log in and check the account’s growth, but the money can’t be accessed until the child is at least 17. If it’s not used by age 26, the funds go right back into the program.