Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment: Helping Families During These Challenging Times

This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board, through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own. 

Vibe check! (Of if you’re over the age of 15, How are you?)

It’s day eleventy billion of social distancing, and today my plans include cleaning the refrigerator and introducing my children to an important piece of television history: Season One of America’s Next Top Model (don’t judge!). My husband has mostly been working from home for the last few weeks, and the kids are in week 3 of online school. So far, virtual learning has gone more smoothly than I expected. My kids are in middle school, so they’re relatively independent and tech savvy. For the most part, they’re able to log on to their classes and manage their assignments on their own. They usually only need our help with technical stuff (like scanning and submitting assignments) and the normal stuff we’d help with anyway, like proofreading and algebra homework. I’m guessing we have it pretty easy compared to families with younger kids.

Even so, “lockdown life” as a whole is difficult for us, as I’m sure it is for you. One thing that’s helping to keep me grounded is listing out (in my own head and to my family) some of the positive experiences that have resulted from the current situation:

• Vic and I started taking walks together again, something we used to love but stopped doing at some point over the years.
• The 4 of us spend more time together at home – watching movies, cooking, doing crafts & projects, etc.
• The kids are getting along better (I have no idea why but let’s not jinx it).
• We’re reading more.
• I have more time for big house cleaning projects (like cleaning the refrigerator).
• I do less laundry because we change our clothes less often.
• We’re making healthier and more conscious food choices because we’re cooking at home more and making fewer trips to the grocery store.
• We’re saving money by not eating out or grabbing Starbucks or stopping at Target whenever we feel like it.

What are some of the positives you’ve experienced?

Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment Is Now – How They Are Helping Families

I know that many Florida families are struggling right now and that saving for college is probably not the top thing on your mind. But if you ARE in the position to put aside the money you’d ordinarily be spending on coffee or dinners out, I hope you’ll consider putting some of that extra money toward your children’s college savings. Believe it or not, it’s actually a really great time to invest in a Florida Prepaid College Plan right now. Hear me out:

1. The Florida Prepaid College Board announced that payment due dates for current and new Prepaid Plan customers will be deferred because of COVID-19. New customers will not have to make their first payment until July 20, 2020. (Current customers will have their next payment due date moved to July 20, 2020.)

2. Florida Prepaid is also waiving the application fee through the rest of Open Enrollment. Use promo code RUNSIT20 to have your $50 enrollment fee waived.

3. As I mentioned at the beginning of the Open Enrollment period, Florida Prepaid Plan prices for the 2020 Open Enrollment period are the lowest they’ve been in five years! Plans start at start at $44/month for newborns.

4. Plans are guaranteed by the state of Florida, which means that you can never lose the money you put into your Florida Prepaid Plan. This is especially important during this time of economic uncertainty.

Florida Prepaid remains committed to their mission of making college savings attainable for Florida families, even during this challenging time. The Board’s hope is that by deferring payment due dates for current and new Prepaid Plan customers, they will provide some financial relief for families impacted by COVID-19.

Open Enrollment continues through April 30. You can learn more by visiting myfloridaprepaid.com, and you can use promo code RUNSIT20 to have your $50 enrollment fee waived.

Stay healthy and be safe!