College Kids Helps St. Louis Children Achieve Their Dreams
College Kids Helps St. Louis Children Achieve Their Dreams
At the heart of the College Kids program, we believe every child deserves to improve college access and postsecondary success among youth, increase assets for low-to-moderate income families living in the city, and promote the use of safe and affordable mainstream financial services and products for students and their families.
We want to break generational cycles of poverty and increase economic mobility by increasing the number of households that are banked and financially literate.
In 2015, the City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office launched its most ambitious financial empowerment initiative yet: the College Kids Children’s Savings Account Program. College Kids is powered by residual parking revenue and generous community donations. Through this program, every kindergartener enrolled in a St. Louis Public or charter school receives a college savings account with an initial $50 deposit, provided by the Treasurer’s Office.
Families can watch the account continue to grow with:
- Matched savings
- Attendance-based bonuses
- Parent participation in financial education courses
Why it matters:
Research shows that children with even $500 or less saved for college are 3x more likely to enroll and 4x more likely to graduate than those without any savings at all.
The opportunity to dream big — and the tools to make those dreams a reality.
College Kids Mission and Vision
The City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office provides college savings accounts to all kindergarten students enrolled in public and charter schools in the City of St. Louis. Our mission is to improve college access and postsecondary success among youth, increase assets for low-to-moderate income families living in the city, and promote the use of safe and affordable mainstream financial services and products for students and their families. We want to break generational cycles of poverty and increase economic mobility by increasing the number of households that are banked and financially literate.
Celebrate 10 Years of Empowering St. Louis Youth
Thanks to generous supporters like you, the College Kids Children’s Savings Account Program has empowered thousands of St. Louis students and families to build brighter financial futures. Launched by the City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office in 2015, College Kids has grown into a transformative force for educational access and financial empowerment.
As we celebrate a Decade of Impact, we invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening of reflection, inspiration, and celebration. Be a part of the movement that’s changing lives—one student, one family, and one savings account at a time.
Location:
Saint Louis Science Center
5050 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
About the gala event, details, ticket purchase
Make a Difference – Become a Sponsor
Your Sponsorship supports College Kids to continue growing young minds and families through financial empowerment. Your tax-deductible donation directly supports College Kids accounts, financial literacy programs, and incentives for students and families. Sponsoring the Decade of Impact Gala offers exclusive benefits, including:
Event recognition & branding opportunities
VIP Networking Reception & premium seating
Direct impact on transforming lives in our community
Donate By Mail
If you would like to mail your College Kids donation, please make your check payable to “St. Louis College Kids via United Way of Greater St. Louis, Inc.” and send it to the following address:
United Way of Greater St. Louis
Attn: Complete Charitable Solutions
PO Box 954281
St. Louis, MO 63195-4281
If necessary, the EIN for United Way of Greater St. Louis, Inc. the 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, is 43-0714167.
College Kids Account Portal
Since 2015, College Kids has helped thousands of St. Louis families jumpstart their children’s futures through savings and financial education. Every kindergartener enrolled in a St. Louis City public, or charter school is automatically enrolled and receives a $50 seed deposit from the City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office.
Throughout the school year, students have opportunities to grow their accounts by earning incentives for good attendance, participating in financial education activities, and making matched savings deposits.
Here’s what families can expect in 2025
No fees
Deposit only account
- Variety of Incentives – returning the consent form, attendance incentive, completing the online banking quizzes, attending financial education courses at the Office of Financial Empowerment and attending Family Savings Night
- Ways to make deposits: direct deposit, online bill pay, in-branch, shared branches and by mail
- Families can check balances and view accounts online
- Funds can only be accessed when the child enters post-secondary school – two-year or four-year institutions, training programs, trade, technical or vocational school.
Incentives and match dollars can be earned only while a student is enrolled in an eligible St. Louis City public or charter school. All incentives and match funds are conditional on a student’s post-secondary educational attendance. Should a student’s College Kids savings account be closed, the seed deposit and any incentives or match dollars awarded, could be forfeited, and returned to the College Kids Program.
Enrollment Forms & Reports
