Prepaid has announced that open enrollment for its 2019 plans will start on Feb. 1 and run through April 30 _ a shift from past years when enrollment would begin in October.
The Florida Prepaid College Board said the change in dates would allow families to recover from holiday expenses, start the year with a financial plan, and consult with financial experts during tax season.
"Open enrollment has typically coincided with the holiday season � a time that can be chaotic and expensive for families. We wanted to give parents time to recover from that season and focus on college savings when they are traditionally turning their attention to financial goals at the beginning of the year," said Shannon Colavecchio, Florida Prepaid spokesperson. "Spring is also a time of tax returns, bonuses and pay raises. That money can be used toward a prepaid plan, making it that much easier to get started."
Plan prices are expected to remain the same as last year, ranging from $47 to $187 a month for newborns, depending on the plan selected.
The plans allow families to lock in college plan prices and prepay, using monthly or lump-sum options, the future cost of college tuition and expenses.
For families that open a prepaid plan before March 2, the $50 enrollment fee will be waived, according to the press release.
A plan may be started by anyone over 18 years old with a valid Social Security number.
The Florida Prepaid College program began in 1987 and was created with the intentions to provide Florida families with an affordable means to save for their children's future college education.
To date, the program says its sold more than 1.8 million prepaid plans.
For more information, visit myfloridaprepaid.com.
