Opportunity L.A.

ATTENTION 1ST GRADE FAMILIES!

Opportunity L.A. is a free college savings program for all first-grade students in LAUSD. Accounts are automatically created unless parents choose to opt out. To ensure your child receives an account, please update your mailing address with their school. Accounts will be set up in the Spring, and more details will be shared then. 

If you prefer to opt out, please download the opt-out form under "Forms And Documents." Complete and email it to instruction@lausd.net or return it to your student's school by Friday, October 25, 2024.

For questions, check the FAQ below or email us at cifd.opportunityla@lacity.org.

Accessing Your Account

1. To begin, visit https://mysavingsaccount.com/account/ola. 
2. Select the option to register on the right side of the screen. You will need to input your student's OLA information:  
   • Account number
   • Date of Birth 
     • Note : Format for date of birth should be MM/DD/YY
     • Ex: A student born July 1, 2021, would have a date of Click at the bottom birth format as 07/01/2021
   • Zip code
     •  Note: The zip code is the one you use to register your student in a LAUSD school 
   • Then click "Next"
3. A pop up window will appear on screen with the Program Rules. Read through the program rules, scroll down to the bottom, and click "Accept". 
4. Create a password and username. Please follow the rules below
   • Username: input your email and create a username following these rules: 
     • Must be 8 to 38 characters
     • Must include at least 1 number
     • No special characters allowed: !@#$ %^()-+^& ) (;:?.
     • Cannot have a space
     • Username should be alphanumeric
   • Password: Create a password following these rules:
     • Must be different from your username
     • Must have between 6-32 characters
     • Must include 2 letters, 2 numbers, 1 upper case, and 1 lowercase
     • Must include 1 special character from approved list:  !@#$ %^( )-+^& ) (.
     • Cannot have a space
5. Choose and answer the security questions listed and then click "Next". These questions are important to remember in case you forget your password or username. You will need to answer your security questions in order to reset your username and/or password in the future. 
6. After you create security questions, a message will be promoted congratulating you for registering online. Click "Login" to access your students OLA account using the new username and password you created to view the balance online. 
7. You can now view your student’s total funds, including your deposits, contributions and Opportunity L.A. savings rewards earned.

Register or log in to your OLA Account

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Program

How do I enroll my student?

During the Spring semester, LAUSD first graders enrolled in participating elementary schools will have an account automatically opened for them, unless their parent/guardian opted out. If you would like for your student to receive an Opportunity L.A. account, there is no action needed. If you have any questions about accessing your student's account please send us an email at cifd.opportunityla@lacity.org.

What is the cost to participate in Opportunity L.A. (OLA)?

There is no cost to a student or a family to participate in Opportunity L.A. 

What is needed to register a student's account?

When an Opportunity L.A. (OLA) account has been opened in the student’s name, students and parents will have access to an online banking platform. To register the account online, use this link https://mysavingsaccount.com/account/ola.

You will need to provide the following information:

• Student account number found in the welcome letter (mailed to you)
• Student’s Date of Birth
• Your Email address

If you have questions regarding the account number please contact us at cifd.opportunityla@lacity.org.

What can you use these savings for?

Program funds may be used for pre-college education expenses and post-secondary education. Qualified account uses will be determined by the Program and include, but are not limited to:

• Pre-college expenses such as college application fees, ACT/SAT testing fees or preparatory classes
• Pre-enrollment enrichment services such as “summer bridge” programs, deposits for on-campus room and board
• Post-secondary expenses such as tuition, mandatory fees, books, supplies (including computer equipment)
• Post-secondary education includes: colleges; universities; vocational schools; and any two or four-year degree programs from accredited institutions.

 

To be eligible for a qualified account use, the participant must either be currently enrolled in or have graduated from an LAUSD high school. Certain restrictions apply. 

How do I opt my student out of the program?

Parents who choose other ways to save or do not want to participate in the program may opt out. 

For first grade families, at the beginning of the school year look for the Information Release Form in your Parent/Student Handbook. You can indicate there that you do not wish to participate, and no account will be created. The form must be submitted to your school.

Later in the school year: You will also receive an Opt-out letter to complete and submit to your school. The opt-out letter will NOT go to the program, please share it with your student’s school.

Once a Student Account is Open

How can I make a deposit to increase my savings?

Did you know that you and your loved ones can make deposits into an Opportunity L.A. (OLA) account? All you need is the student’s name and account number. This can be done in a variety of ways

Option 1: 

In-person at a local Los Angeles Citibank branch: 

1. Visit: https://online.citi.com/US/ag/citibank-location-finder
2. Enter your address
3. Select “Filter”
4. Select “Branches” and then “Apply Filter”

At the Citibank branch parents will be asked to present a valid government-issued photo ID and they will be asked to provide a Social Security Number. Sharing a SSN is completely OPTIONAL. Parents do not need to provide a SSN to make a deposit, they are allowed to decline. The question is part of banking regulations, but a response is not required.

While depositing in person, parents can provide cash, check, or money order. Parents will need to have the student’s Opportunity L.A. account number, which they received in their welcome packet, and the student’s full name. If parents do not have their student’s account number, they may fill out this online form to request one.                                              

Option 2:

By Mail

Make a check or money order payable to the student's name, include their account number in the memo section of the check, and mail to: 

Citi Children’s Savings Accounts 
P.O. Box 790020 
St. Louis, MO 63179-9966 

Option 3:

Bill Pay 

Step 1 : Log into your bank's online portal and proceed to the "Bill Pay" section. 

Step 2: Enter and save the Bill Pay merchant details as follows for all fields as applicable:  

• Merchant Name : Opportunity LA 
• Account # : [Your student's account number that starts with "3322209"]
• Merchant Address : P.O Box 790020, St Louis, MO 63179-9966

*** Please note that the initial Bill Pay set up takes approximately 4-6 weeks. 

Option 4: 

Direct Deposit 

Fill out this form and submit it to your employer or other fund originator.

How does the Program help me grow my savings?

The Program offers a number of opportunities - called “incentives” - to grow your savings. You can earn these incentives by meeting certain requirements or engaging with the program. Keep an eye out for future communications on these opportunities. 

How do I make a deposit using Bill Pay?

Look for the Merchant Name Opportunity L.A. (OLA) in your bank’s Bill Pay service. You can set up a one-time payment or recurring payments to the Participant’s account record using this service. * Please note that the Bill Pay takes approximately 4-6 weeks for the initial setup to process. 

Will participation in the Program impact the other benefits I already receive, such as CalFresh or WIC?

No, since these accounts are held by the City of Los Angeles on behalf of the student, these funds will not be counted as income for purposes of eligibility for other benefits.

What if I cannot find "OLA" as a merchant in my bank’s Bill Pay?

If you need to set up the OLA Program as a Bill Pay merchant at your financial institution, follow the steps below:

Log into your bank’s online portal and proceed to the Bill Pay section.

Enter and save the Bill Pay merchant details as follows for all fields as applicable:

Merchant Name — Enter Program Name (Opportunity LA)

Account # — Enter your student’s XX-digit account number (provided in the welcome letter starting with "3322209")

Merchant Address — Enter the address: P.O. Box 790020 St. Louis, MO 62179-9966

Merchant Phone Number — XXX-XXX-XXXX

Follow the prompts to add the merchant and set up a one-time or recurring payment. Once you have entered this merchant in your bank’s Bill Pay section, you will not have to enter the merchant’s information again and all payments will be sent electronically.

How it Works

Can funds be withdrawn from this Program account in the case of a financial emergency?

In the case of a family emergency, the student or parent/guardian may request an early withdrawal of some or all contributions in the student’s account. **Restrictions apply. Contact the program for more details. 

What happens to the Opportunity L.A. (OLA) Student account, if the Student transfers from one school to another?

If a student who has an Opportunity L.A. (OLA) account transfers to another LAUSD school, the student’s school information is updated and the OLA account continues as is. If the student leaves LAUSD, then the student’s OLA account will be closed. Online viewing access of a student’s OLA account will be terminated as of the date of account closure. If any Non-Program Contributions were made to the OLA account, a repayment will be made payable to the student’s name and will be mailed to the address on record within twenty (20) business days of the OLA account closure. All incentives and Program Contributions are returned to the Program. The parent or legal guardian of the student will be asked to destroy and discard the student’s account ID Card.

If the student who previously participated in the Program returns to an LAUSD school, a new OLA account may be established for the student and, depending on funding availability, the initial seed deposit will be credited to the new OLA account. Please contact the OLA program manager at cifd.opportunityla@lacity.org for additional inquiries.

How does Opportunity L.A. differ or work with ScholarShare 529 accounts?

Opportunity L.A. differs from ScholarShare 529 in that our program is an opt-out model, the accounts are accessible to anyone regardless of their legal status, the program will not affect a family’s public benefits, and is completely free for families. ScholarShare 529 models are typically opt-in, gain a higher interest but will likely be reportable for tax and benefit purposes. ScholarShare 529 accounts may also have penalties for early withdrawals.

Can the funds be transferred into a 529 account?

Contributions made by parents, family, friends or legal guardians may be transferred to a 529 account upon request by the participant. All program contributions including the initial deposit and any incentive that the student has earned from Opportunity L.A. while in the program cannot be transferred and will stay in the custodial account. The student account will remain open unless a parent or legal guardian requests to close the account at which point they must fill out a student account closure form.

ScholarShare 529

529 College Savings Plan

 A 529 plan is an investment account that allows earnings to grow free from federal income tax when funds are used for qualified educational expenses including books, fees, supplies and tuition at universities, community colleges or trade schools. Though there are many state 529 plans to choose from.

Check out planning and saving for college and comparison tools on California ScholarShare’s website as you weigh your options.

California ScholarShare

ScholarShare 529 is administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, which is chaired by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Since its launch in 1999, ScholarShare 529 has helped thousands of families save for a higher education and has grown its total plan assets to almost $10.5 billion as of September 2020.

CA 529 ScholarShare Brochure.

Things to Consider

• Learn more about the California 529 College Savings Plan, its investment objectives, tax benefits, risks, and costs, please see the Plan Description at www.ScholarShare529.com. Read it carefully.
• Check with your home state to learn if it offers tax or other benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds or protection from creditors for investing in its own 529 plan. Consult your legal or tax professional for tax advice.
• Investments in the Plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss.
• If the funds aren't used for qualified higher education expenses, a 10% penalty tax on earnings (as well as federal and state income taxes) may apply. Non-qualified withdrawals may also be subject to an additional 2.5% California tax on earnings.
• The treatment of investments in a 529 savings plan varies by school. Assets are typically treated as the account holder’s and not the student’s. (Student assets are generally assessed at 20% whereas parental assets are generally assessed at 5.6%.) Any investments, including those in 529 accounts, may affect the student's eligibility to get financial aid based on need. You should check with the schools you are considering regarding this issue.

Contact

For additional information about the program, contact us at: cifd.opportunityla@lacity.org (213) 820-4283