Governor Ron DeSantis announces more than 13,000 Florida families benefit from new VPK and Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans partnership
Kissimmee, Florida – More than 13,000 Florida families are already taking advantage of a new education-focused partnership that connects early childhood learning with long-term college savings, Governor Ron DeSantis announced this week, marking what state leaders describe as a major step in making higher education planning more accessible from the very beginning of a child’s academic journey.
The initiative links Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program with Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans, allowing families to apply for VPK and open a Florida Investment 529 Plan account in one streamlined process. As part of the launch, participating families also receive a $100 contribution to begin saving for future college expenses through Florida Prepaid.
According to state officials, the response has been strong in the first four months since the partnership began. The shared enrollment process is designed to reduce barriers and encourage parents to start planning early, even before their children enter kindergarten.
“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,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “More than 13,000 families have already taken the opportunity to create college savings accounts while applying for VPK in the four months since this partnership launched.”
Education leaders say the program reflects a broader effort to connect early learning with future opportunity in a more direct and practical way. By combining school readiness programs with financial planning tools, officials hope to create a smoother path from preschool to college.
“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,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Higher education opens doors to new opportunities, and this partnership empowers parents to take an important first step toward saving, helping ensure more Florida students are prepared for lifelong success.”
The Florida Prepaid College Board also emphasized the importance of early action when it comes to saving for education. For many families, financial planning can feel overwhelming, especially during the early years of parenting when priorities are focused on daily needs. The new system aims to simplify that process by integrating savings options directly into the VPK application experience.
“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,” said Kevin Thompson, Executive Director of the Florida Prepaid College Board. “By connecting VPK enrollment with Florida Prepaid, we’re helping families take action early and plan for the future from the beginning. It’s a simple but powerful idea: when families start early, more opportunities are within reach later.”
Florida’s VPK program has long been a central part of the state’s early education system. Established in the 2005–2006 school year, it offers free, voluntary prekindergarten for all 4-year-olds. Since its launch, the program has served more than 3.1 million children, with the goal of giving young learners a strong foundation before entering elementary school.
Over the years, state leaders have expanded and refined the program to improve outcomes and support early development. Recent enhancements include a strengthened provider accountability system aimed at ensuring high-quality instruction across VPK classrooms. Officials say this helps ensure that children receive consistent early education that prepares them for kindergarten and beyond.
Another major update is the VPK–Grade 10 coordinated screening and progress monitoring system. This tool is designed to identify early challenges in literacy and math skills, allowing educators to provide targeted instruction and support where needed.
Teachers in VPK programs are also required to complete 15 hours of emergent literacy training, a step intended to better equip educators with the skills needed to support early reading development. In addition, a summer bridge program has been introduced for children identified with potential literacy gaps, offering extra instruction before kindergarten begins.
Together, these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to strengthen Florida’s early education system while also connecting it to long-term academic planning. By linking preschool enrollment with college savings tools, state leaders hope to create a mindset shift—one where planning for higher education begins earlier than ever before.
Families interested in learning more about Florida’s VPK program can find additional information through the Florida Department of Education’s official resources, which outline enrollment details, program requirements, and support services available statewide.
