Florida Governor Crist Declares September As College Savings Month In Florida

August 31, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today declared September as College Savings Month in Florida, recognizing that saving for a child’s college education is one of the most important things a family can do.

“The opportunity to send a child to college is a wonderful part of the American dream,” Governor Crist said. “I am reminding Florida families of the importance of saving for college, so their children and grandchildren have the greatest chance of success in life. The time to begin saving for college is today. By planning ahead, college is affordable. Even small amounts of savings, done regularly, add up over time.”

The Florida Prepaid College Board offers two affordable, tax-free options to save for college. The popular Florida Prepaid College Plan and the Florida College Investment Plan give families the choice and flexibility they need to reach their college savings goals.

Florida Prepaid College Plan

The Florida Prepaid College Plan, the nation’s largest plan of its kind, locks in the cost of college tuition, local fees and dormitory housing at today’s prices. The plan covers the actual costs at any of Florida’s 11 public universities and 28 community colleges. The value of the plan can also be transferred to most private colleges in Florida, select technical schools and most out-of-state colleges. More than 1.2 million Florida Prepaid plans have been purchased statewide since the first plan was sold 19 years ago. For more information on the Florida Prepaid College Plan, please visit http://www.florida529plans.com/prepaid/index.html

The Florida College Investment Plan
The Florida College Investment Plan allows families to save for college tuition, fees and housing, and for other college expenses not covered by the Florida Prepaid College Plan including books and graduate school. Accounts can be opened with one-time contribution of $250 or by starting a monthly automatic withdrawal from a checking/savings account with a minimum of $25.

For more information on the Florida College Investment Plan, please visit http://www.florida529plans.com/savings/index.html

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, college students graduating with a bachelor’s degree will earn on average at least $1 million more over a lifetime than someone with a high school diploma.

Leroy Cordero Floyd III of Fort Pierce earned a bachelor’s degree at Florida State University before being accepted at FSU College of Medicine.

“I believe my son was between seven and nine years old,” recalled his mother Bernadette of purchasing a Florida Prepaid College Plan. “Having the Florida Prepaid Plan has enabled me to enter medical school virtually debt free from student loans,” Floyd said.

“There is no better or wiser time than now to start saving for your child’s college education. It’s the best investment you can make in your child’s future,” said Chairman Ted Hoepner of the Florida Prepaid College Board.

Source: Florida Governor