Family members and school leaders gathered to celebrate P.S. 120Q’s kindergarten moving-up ceremony on Tuesday, June 18 in Flushing. The eager students performed songs and dances for the audience at their stepping-up ceremony, complete with matching t-shirts and animal headbands.
Almost all of the K-2nd grade students at P.S. 120Q participate in the NYC Scholarship Accounts program, which has provided over $44,000 in scholarship money set aside for the student’s college education and future career goals. The scholarship money is made available through the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program, which supports young students’ educational and career dreams.
The program provides nearly every kindergarten, first and second-grade student in NYC public schools with a free NYC Scholarship Account with a starting amount of $100 for college and career training. Over 200,000 elementary students city-wide currently have NYC Scholarship Accounts with more than $30 million invested for their future development. The accounts are invested in a 529 college savings account by NYC Kids Rise, and families can receive additional rewards by completing steps in the program and through Community Scholarships.
NYC Kids RISE is a nonprofit organization that manages the Save for College Program in partnership with NYC Public Schools and the City of New York. In 2017, the Save for College Program launched its pilot program in School District 30 in western Queens.
Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, and every year going forward, students in eligible grades enrolled in an NYC public elementary school and participating charter schools automatically receive an NYC Scholarship Account invested in a 529 account with an initial $100. Students also have the opportunity to earn more money through early rewards, unless their parents opt out of the program.
