Beneficiary Eligibility

Q: May a prepaid contract be purchased for any child?

A: Yes, as long as the child has been a resident or full-time resident alien of Florida for the 12 months before the date of contract purchase. The year-long residency requirement does not apply to children younger than one year of age who are born in Florida. Also, children who are non-residents of Florida, but whose divorced parent is a resident of Florida, are eligible to have their Florida parent purchase a contract for them.

The child for whom the contract is purchased is called the beneficiary. The beneficiary must be under 21 years of age, and must not currently be enrolled in school beyond the 11th grade. The plan is not available to high school seniors. 

Q: What if a child is not yet a resident of the State of Florida?

A: Since legal residency is established through 12 continuous months of residence, children who are not eligible this year, but who continue to reside in Florida, will be eligible during the next enrollment year. Infants under one year of age who were born in Florida are considered residents.

Q: Must the beneficiary be named when a contract is purchased?

A: Yes. The contract must have a named beneficiary.

Q: What documents are acceptable as proof of residency for the beneficiary?

A: Photocopies of the following documents will be acceptable proof of residency:

Children's Residency Documentation

For beneficiaries less than one year of age at the time of application:
• If the beneficiary is less than 1 year old, a copy of his/her Florida birth certificate
• Documentation of the parent's residency as listed below

For students enrolled in school (K-11) or day care centers:
• A report card, progress report, or certificate of attendance showing enrollment in a Florida public or private school or day-care center 12 months prior to the application date.

Parent/Guardian Residency Documentation

To open a Prepaid Plan, the beneficiary or the parent/guardian of the beneficiary must have been a Florida resident for the last 12 consecutive months. You MUST attach proof of Florida residency to your application.

A COPY of any ONE of the following documents will be accepted:
• Florida driver’s license, for the parent listed below, issued at least one year ago. Copy of front and back.
• Proof of full-time Florida employment, for the parent listed below, for the last 12 consecutive months.
• Military leave and earnings statement listing Florida as home of record, Florida voter registration card, Florida vehicle registration or Florida homestead exemption certificate, for the parent listed below, from at least one year ago.

NOTE: Divorced parents who are Florida residents applying for their non-resident child must also submit a copy of their divorce decree or the beneficiary’s birth certificate.

Q: Will a social security number be required of both the beneficiary (child) and the account owner?

A: A social security or tax ID number of the account owner and the beneficiary will be required at the time of application. Tuition cannot be paid without a valid social security number.

Q: If a Florida resident is attending an out-of-state boarding school, is the child eligible for the Florida Prepaid College Plan?

A: Yes. Children who are Florida residents attending an out-of-state school are eligible as long as they are under 21 years of age and enrolled in or below the eleventh grade. The account owner may supply, in lieu of a report card, residency documentation of a parent or legal guardian, such as a driver's license or voter registration card, or other documentation indicated above.

Q: Do children of families who maintain two domiciles, one in Florida and one outside of Florida, qualify for the Florida Prepaid College Plan?

A: Children of families who maintain a residence in another state will be considered Florida residents if a parent or legal guardian supplies residency documentation which indicates that he or she has maintained a Florida residence for at least the last 12 months. A Florida driver's license issued at least one year ago is the best evidence of Florida residency.

Q: If a grandparent or other prospective account owner has trouble obtaining a report card for a beneficiary, what residency documentation may he or she submit?

A: A prospective account owner may request a "certificate of attendance" from the school. Most schools will provide this certificate readily. The certificate should indicate attendance during the previous school year. The account owner may also submit residency documentation of the parent or guardian such as a Florida driver's license or voter's registration card.

Q: What if a beneficiary moves away from Florida prior to enrollment in a state university or community college?

A: A beneficiary's change in residency, once the contract is purchased, does not affect the contract. The beneficiary will still be eligible to attend Florida state universities and community colleges as a resident for tuition purposes. The Florida Prepaid College Plan will pay tuition, local fees and dormitory fees. No out-of-state fees will be charged to the prepaid beneficiary by the state university or community college.

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