NYC Kids RISE Save for College links city public schools, families, and a community organization through an education-savings program. It opens a 529 scholarship account for eligible students when they begin kindergarten and allows families to add their own savings if they choose. The starting balance and institutional account are not a scholarship that pays an entire college bill today.
For the 2026–27 school year, students in kindergarten through fifth grade at participating public schools may have an NYC Kids RISE scholarship account; the organization says the school account does not require an income or immigration-status test. For new kindergarten families, program information says accounts can be accessed starting in January 2027. Confirm your child’s school and date through the program lookup.
The scholarship account is invested in a 529 account managed by the program, while a family may open or link a personal ScholarShare 529 account to contribute. It is not a bank account from which a student can freely withdraw cash. Funds are intended for qualified postsecondary expenses under 529 rules; ask the organization about eligible institutions, tax treatment, and what happens if the student does not continue education.
To start, find the participating school and follow the activation steps using the student’s school identifier; the organization provides online options and family assistance. Do not share sensitive details through unofficial links. The program does not replace FAFSA, TAP, or direct scholarships for a high-school graduate, but it can be part of a longer-term plan. If your child is near graduation, ask a college-access office about direct awards and do not count an unverified balance as available tuition payment.
Do not compare programs by the phrase “free tuition” alone. Ask the college for a written budget separating tuition, mandatory fees, books, transportation, housing, and meals, and ask which other grants are deducted before this award is calculated. A last-dollar scholarship may cover only eligible charges left after Pell and institutional aid.
Keep confirmation for every application and check your student portal: FAFSA/CADAA, residency verification, a transcript, education plan, or data-release consent may still be missing. If the current cycle deadline has passed, ask whether an appeal or late list exists, but prepare for the next cycle without assuming late documents will be accepted. Use the linked profiles to identify the administrator and official channel.
Aid can affect other awards and renewals. Before dropping credits, changing campuses, taking a break, or accepting a loan, ask in writing how your award would be recalculated and what academic progress is required. A published maximum is not an individual offer: the final amount depends on funding, eligible charges, other aid, and your file.
NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program — NYC Public Schools.
Get Started — NYC Kids RISE.
Family Questions and Answers — NYC Kids RISE.
Information checked on October 12, 2026 against official sources. Past deadlines are identified as such; eligibility does not guarantee an award. Before enrolling, confirm the current cycle, available funding, and covered charges with the program and your college financial-aid office.
NYC Kids RISE helps seed savings in elementary school; graduates still need to seek direct grants and scholarships separately.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
NYC Kids RISE Save for College
Scholarship accounts seeded in participating school grades; not unrestricted cash.
Community 529 savings program for postsecondary education
NYC Public Schools College and Career Planning
Provides school-participation, college-planning, and partner-resource information.
New York City public-school and college-planning system
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
NYC Public Schools · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
NYC Kids RISE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
NYC Kids RISE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
NYC Kids RISE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of NYC Kids RISE Save for College ↗
Primary source
NYC Public Schools · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
NYC Public Schools · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of NYC Public Schools College and Career Planning ↗
Primary source
NYC Kids RISE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.