13,000 Families Benefit from VPK & Florida Prepaid College Partnership

Florida’s Early Education Initiative Connects Families with College Savings

Kissimmee, Fla. – In a significant stride towards supporting higher education savings, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that over 13,000 families have joined a groundbreaking initiative that links Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program with the Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans. This innovative partnership, launched just four months ago, simplifies the application process by allowing families to simultaneously enroll in VPK and open a Florida Investment 529 Plan account, with an initial $100 contribution to kickstart their college savings.

Governor DeSantis emphasized, “We’ve kept our world-class public colleges and universities affordable for Florida residents, and our new partnership between the VPK program and Florida Prepaid is already helping thousands of families save for higher education.” This sentiment reflects the state’s commitment to making education accessible and affordable from an early age.

Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas added, “By connecting Florida’s VPK program with Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans, we’re making it easier than ever for families to start planning for their child’s future.” The collaboration aims to empower parents to take proactive steps in securing their children’s educational futures, thereby enhancing the potential for lifelong success.

The Executive Director of the Florida Prepaid College Board, Kevin Thompson, highlighted the importance of early action, stating, “For many families, the hardest part of saving for college is simply getting started. This partnership meets parents right where they are—at the very start of their child’s education—and makes that first step easier.” By integrating VPK enrollment with college savings plans, this initiative encourages families to initiate long-term educational planning from the outset.

Florida’s VPK program, one of the first in the nation to provide free, voluntary prekindergarten to all 4-year-olds, has been a cornerstone of early education since its inception in the 2005-2006 school year. More than 3.1 million children have benefited from this program, designed to offer a robust start in both education and life.

Governor DeSantis has further enhanced the VPK program through several key measures:

Implementing a new accountability system for VPK providers, ensuring high-quality early education for young learners.

Introducing a coordinated screening and progress monitoring system from VPK through Grade 10 to address literacy and math skill gaps with tailored support.