Baby captured at Oakland Summer Strolls street festival
Author: Mary Chestang November 09, 2026
With over 4,000 babies enrolled in College Savings Accounts, thousands of Promise Scholarships activated, and nearly 8,000 Oakland public and charter high school graduates supported through college scholarships, we understand how financial opportunities can make the pathway to college more attainable.
At Oakland Promise, we believe investing in a child's future should begin early. Whether it's providing a $500 College Savings Account at birth or helping graduating high school seniors secure thousands of dollars in scholarships, our goal is to ensure Oakland students and families have the resources they need to pursue their educational dreams.
This National Scholarship Month, we're highlighting the financial opportunities available through our programs and how families can get started.
Early Learning: Building College Savings from Birth
Did you know eligible Oakland children ages 0–5 can receive a College Savings Account (CSA) seeded with $500?
Through our Brilliant Baby program, we help income-eligible Oakland families give their youngest learners a head start on saving for college. Since our inception in 2016, our team has enrolled over 4,000 babies in College Savings Accounts, helping families begin investing in their children's futures long before they enter a classroom.
Families must reside in Alameda County and meet eligibility requirements, including Medi-Cal eligibility, to enroll.
Want to learn more? Visit our Early Learning page to explore program benefits and check your child's eligibility. Select the "I Want to Enroll Now" button to begin the enrollment process.
K12 Students engaging in class presentation
K12: Growing College Savings and Building College Bound Identity
Our financial investments don't stop there!
Oakland public and charter school students can receive up to $500 in Promise Scholarships throughout their K–12 journey. Through these early investments, we hope to encourage students and families to think about their postsecondary education long before high school graduation.
Students can receive $100 at designated grade levels, beginning in Kindergarten, to help build their college savings.
We also offer scholarship opportunities for Oakland's graduating high school seniors through our 12th Grade Scholarship program.
Eligible seniors with a minimum 2.0 unweighted GPA can apply for our general scholarship, while students with a 3.5 unweighted GPA or higher may qualify to apply for our Great Expectations Scholarships, ranging from $8,000 to $16,000. Additional eligibility requirements apply, including demonstrated financial need.
Are you a parent or student attending an Oakland public or charter school? Visit our K–12 page to activate your Promise Scholarship and explore available financial resources.
Our 2027 12th Grade Scholarship application opens November 9, 2026! Visit our scholarship application portal to learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Mentors speaking at “Beyond the Degree” event for OP Scholars
College & Career: Supporting Scholars Beyond High School
Our commitment to Oakland students doesn't end once students receive their scholarships.
Through our College & Career program, Oakland Promise scholars continue receiving wraparound support throughout their college journeys, including mentorship, one-on-one advising, peer support, workforce development opportunities like internships, and more.
We understand that getting to college is only part of the journey. Having the resources and community to stay on track, graduate, and pursue a meaningful career is just as important.
Are you a current Oakland Promise scholar looking for ways to stay connected or access additional resources?Visit our College & Career page to learn more. Are you interested in mentoring? Please reach out to us here!
This National Scholarship Month, we want to remind Oakland families that opportunities to invest in their children's futures are available at every stage. Whether you're just getting started or preparing for graduation, Oakland Promise is here to help you take that next step.