KISSIMMEE, Fla. — More than 13,000 Florida families have enrolled in a new partnership linking the state’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program with college savings accounts in the first four months since its launch, according to an announcement Thursday by Ron DeSantis.
The initiative allows families to apply for VPK while simultaneously opening a Florida Investment 529 college savings account through the state’s prepaid program. As part of the effort, families receive an initial $100 contribution to begin saving for future higher education expenses.
State officials say the streamlined process is designed to encourage early financial planning by meeting parents at the entry point of their child’s education.
“We’ve kept our world-class public colleges and universities affordable for Florida residents, and this partnership is already helping thousands of families start saving,” DeSantis said in a statement, noting the early participation levels since the program’s rollout.
Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said the initiative is intended to remove barriers for families looking to prepare for long-term education costs. By combining VPK enrollment with college savings enrollment, the state is aiming to increase participation in both programs while promoting early planning.
Kevin Thompson, executive director of the Florida Prepaid College Board, said the partnership focuses on simplifying the first step in saving. “For many families, getting started is the biggest hurdle,” Thompson said. “This approach connects college savings to the very beginning of a child’s educational journey.”
Florida was among the first states to offer free, voluntary prekindergarten for all 4-year-olds. Since launching in the 2005–06 school year, the program has served more than 3.1 million children statewide.
In recent years, the DeSantis administration has made several changes to the VPK program, including implementing a provider accountability system, expanding progress monitoring for early literacy and math skills, and adding training requirements for educators. The state has also introduced a summer bridge program aimed at helping students identified with early learning gaps better prepare for kindergarten.
Officials say the new partnership builds on those efforts by extending support beyond early education and into long-term college planning.
