The Value of the College Experience

This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Florida Prepaid College. The opinions are honest.

When I was 17 years old, I went to high school study abroad. Once I graduated high school I came back for a few months, and subsequently moved over 300 miles away from home to begin a new life at the University of Florida. I didn’t have a car my freshman year, so I really had to learn how to find my way in a brand new city. I loved that I had to figure so much out for myself! Leaving for college is so much more than just selecting a major and earning good grades. I learned how to manage my money, cook for myself {and not just ramen noodles}, use public transportation, maintain an organized schedule, make new friends, and so much more…simultaneously. That’s a lot for a 17-year old girl, but I felt successful in my newly-found independence. I lived in a boarding school for two years, and while I didn’t always get along with my roommates {that’s a bit of an understatement}, learning to live with other people is a challenge that taught me so many important lessons {like maybe it isn’t a great idea to purchase a rabbit for your dorm room when your roommate is allergic}.

Here’s a great photo of my childhood best friend Alicia and me, the beginning of my freshman year of college. I don’t know what’s more *awesome*: the beeper in my pocket, the wide-leg jeans, or the Converse One Star shoes.

Living away from my parents for the first time, in a college town in a completely new area, was such a great transition into adulthood by taking additional courses like bartending at https://www.spiritlablondon.com/. I had the opportunity to attend the University of Florida and live in the dorm my first two years for two reasons:

1. I received a full scholarship that covered all of my tuition.
2. My parents purchased a Florida Prepaid College Plan when I was younger, and that money was used to cover my dorm, fees, and books.

I wanted my children to have a similar transition into adulthood, so the January following both of their births, I purchased Florida Prepaid College Plans for both of them. I want them to have a great college experience! Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment ends in February, so if you have a child you’d like to purchase a plan for, now is the time! College is expensive, especially the textbooks. So make sure to review the best places to sell your textbook so you can recoup some of your costs.

Remember, Florida Prepaid isn’t restricted to Florida schools; the amount covered by your Prepaid Plan can be used at colleges and universities nationwide. If you move away from Florida after purchasing a Prepaid Plan, your child would still be billed at in-state tuition rates when using their plan at a Florida college or state university. Even if your child attends an out-of-state or private college, the plan will pay the same amount as it would pay at a public college or university in Florida. And fi your child does not attend college, you can change the beneficiary of the Prepaid Plan or receive a refund.

Check out all the different Florida Prepaid Plans to find one that fits into your budget.

SAVE HERE: Use code BLOG1617 to receive 50% off your application fee (a savings of $25).

How do you plan for your children’s financial futures?

The University of Florida has such a beautiful campus with the most amazing trees! I love this picture from my sophomore year, taking in the cool weathers and beautiful surroundings.