KEYSTONE CONNECTIONS

October 2025

Even the smallest acorn can grow into the mightiest oak

Fall is a season of change – a time to pause, take stock, and look ahead. Just as nature prepares for what’s next, it’s a great moment to think about the future we’re building for Pennsylvania’s children. With Keystone Scholars, every child starts with a $100 scholarship account for education, growing opportunity from day one.

Keystone Scholars by the Numbers

Data as of Sept. 30, 2025

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November Incentives: More Reasons to Claim and Save

This November, families across Pennsylvania have two exciting opportunities to boost their children’s education savings through Keystone Scholars – and we need your help to spread the word!

- Statewide Incentive*

Families who claim their child’s Keystone Scholars account and open and link it to a PA 529 account between November 1 and November 30, 2025, will receive a $50 bonus on top of the $100 scholarship already provided by Keystone Scholars. That’s a $150 total to jumpstart their child’s future.

- Lycoming County Community Bonus*

Thanks to the generosity of Miele Manufacturing, and in partnership with the River Valley Regional YMCA, families in Lycoming County may also receive an additional $50 community bonus. The first 95 eligible families who claim their child’s Keystone Scholars account in November and link it to a PA 529 account will receive up to $200 in total education savings.

We encourage you to share this opportunity widely with the families you serve. Whether through newsletters, social media, or direct outreach, your voice helps ensure families don’t miss out on these exciting limited-time incentives.

*To receive a $50 Incentive Bonus, child must have been born to a Pennsylvania resident between January 1, 2019, and June 30, 2025, and be eligible for Keystone Scholars as described above. The Keystone Scholars account must be claimed between November 1, 2025, and November 30, 2025, and linked to a PA 529 account opened between November 1, 2025, and November 30, 2025. An additional $50 Keystone Scholars Community Bonus contribution is also available to the first 95 Keystone Scholars accounts claimed with an eligible address in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, and is subject to funds availability and residency verification. The Incentive Bonus and Community Bonus contributions can only be received once per account.

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Partner Spotlight

Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

In August 2025, Treasurer Stacy Garrity was featured in the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics “Let’s Talk” webinar series, a continuing education platform for pediatric professionals. The session focused on the intersection of pediatric health and financial empowerment through Children’s Savings Accounts (CSAs), with a spotlight on the Keystone Scholars program.

Treasurer Garrity emphasized the importance of early financial investment in children’s futures and the role of trusted messengers, like pediatricians, in helping families understand and access these opportunities. Dr. Frank Maffei, Chair of Pediatrics at Geisinger, shared insights from his clinical experience, highlighting how financial stress affects family health and how pediatricians can play a role in connecting families to resources like Keystone Scholars. Dr. George Dalembert, Director of the Medical Financial Partnership at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), discussed how his team is embedding financial conversations into pediatric visits. He emphasized the value of CSAs in promoting long-term health equity and shared early feedback from families who have benefited from learning about Keystone Scholars during well-child visits.

The webinar reinforced the growing recognition among pediatric leaders that financial well-being is a key social determinant of health, and that Keystone Scholars is a powerful tool in advancing both health and economic outcomes for Pennsylvania’s children.

Pennsylvania State Police – Faith & Blue

Keystone Scholars and the Pennsylvania Treasury recently partnered with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) to sponsor “Kickball with Cops,” a kickball tournament that is part of the national Faith & Blue Initiative. Faith & Blue aims to foster stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve through collaboration with faith-based organizations. It’s a movement that encourages community engagement, builds trust, and promotes safer neighborhoods by connecting law enforcement with diverse faith communities.

Held at Firetree Place in Williamsport, the kickball derby brought together local youth and law enforcement officers for a day of teamwork, sportsmanship and fun.

Adagio Health

Treasury continues to administer targeted deposits to children born in 2021 to mothers participating in WIC served by Adagio Health, a WIC agency serving five counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. The WIC-Keystone Scholars Milestone Program, initiated by Adagio Health, and supported by the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, partnered with Treasury to provide additional deposits to eligible each child who remains enrolled in WIC until their fifth birthday. Of the 494 children who received the initial milestone deposit, 178 children remain enrolled in WIC as of their third birthday, and their Keystone Scholars accounts have a value of $325, plus earnings.

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CSAs in the News

CalKIDS and School Districts’ New Role

Beginning this school year in California, school districts must provide information about the CalKIDS program. This new requirement to inform students and families about the interest-bearing accounts was enacted in the state budget. This policy shift underscores the critical role that schools and trusted messengers play in ensuring families access the resources available for them. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when systems work together to support children’s futures. To read more, click here.

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Outreach Events

Treasury has outreach staff throughout the Commonwealth to support community fairs, educational events, civic meetings and more. By raising awareness about Keystone Scholars’ $100 scholarship and emphasizing the importance of saving for education, we aim to create brighter futures. Through collaboration with community members, our goal is to make education savings more accessible and achievable for all families.

To schedule a visit with our outreach team or request event materials, please contact Karen McDermott, Manager of Children's Savings Accounts, at kmcdermott@patreasury.gov.