Customer Service Updates:

Annual Statement: If the beneficiary on your account is expected to enroll in college in Fall 2008 or later, and your account is active, you should have received by now a Prepaid College Plan Annual Statement, which contains a financial summary of your account as of December 31, 2007.

1099 Tax Form: In preparation for the upcoming tax season, a 1099 tax form will be mailed in late January to beneficiaries who have used their plan benefits during the 2007 calendar year. The form will also be mailed to account owners who have received a scholarship refund or reimbursement during the calendar year. Please contact your tax advisor for assistance in completing this form.

First Time in College Letter and ID Card: In early February, Prepaid College Plan beneficiaries who are scheduled to start college in Fall 2008 will receive a Prepaid College Plan identification card and a letter explaining what to expect as they begin the college enrollment process.

Usage Statement: In mid February, Prepaid College Plan account owners will receive a Usage Statement reflecting an updated status of all benefits paid out, as well as the remaining balances of each account, effective December 31, 2007.

Families Can Jump Start College Savings
By Using Income Tax Refunds, Economic Stimulus Checks
To Open a Florida College Investment Plan

Tax season is here again. As parents and grandparents roll up their sleeves to review their family’s finances, what better time to think about planning ahead and saving for college? Families can financially prepare for their children’s and grandchildren’s college education by using this year’s income tax return or economic stimulus check to enroll in the tax-free Florida College Investment Plan* . The Florida College Investment Plan is a 529 college savings plan that allows families to save tax-free for their children’s and grandchildren’s future college education. It is managed by the Florida Prepaid College Board, a state agency, and was established in 2002. Justine Kellner McGeehan enrolled her grandchildren, 6-year-old Genevieve and 8-year-old Marcus, in the Florida College Investment Plan by giving them each $250 to open an account. The children’s parents, Holly and Mark Greuling of Tallahassee, contribute monthly to the College Investment Plans and also purchased Florida Prepaid College Plans for Genevieve and Marcus. “Every grandparent would like to see their grandchildren get a college education,” McGeehan said. “You want the best for them and one of the best things you can give them is a head start towards a college education.” “We know how important a college education is to increase a person’s earning potential, and we also know that since our kids are so close in age, they both will probably be in college at the same time,” Holly Greuling said. With the Florida College Investment Plan, families can save at a pace that fits their budget. They can begin with either a $250 contribution or a $25 a month automatic bank withdrawal. They decide how much they can afford to increase their college savings. The plan can be used for qualified higher education expenses at accredited public and private universities, colleges and technical schools throughout the U.S. Families may receive information and enroll online at www.florida529plans.com or by calling 1-800-552-GRAD. “With the Florida College Investment Plan, families choose how much to save and their investment options, based on their needs and what they can afford,” said Chairman Ted Hoepner of the Florida Prepaid College Board. “The Florida College Investment Plan can be used on its own or combined with a Florida Prepaid College Plan to cover additional college expenses.” By The Numbers 27,366 participants $5,579 average account balance $147.9 million, market value of investments   How It Works Initial deposit: $250 or $25 a month automatic bank withdrawal Investment options: Fixed Income; U.S. Equity; Balanced Investment; Age-Based/Years to Enrollment; Money Market Tax benefits: Withdrawals are tax-free if spent on qualified college expenses such as tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies and equipment required by a college or graduate school Fees: $50 application fee; annual administration fee of ¾ of 1 percent Residency: Florida residency is not required for account owner or beneficiary (student) More information: Go to www.florida529plans.com or call 1-800-552-GRAD (4723) * The Florida College Investment Plan is not a prepaid plan. Investments in the plan are not insured or guaranteed, and you could lose all or a portion of your investment. Participation in the plan will be sold only by means of a Disclosure Statement and Participation Agreement. A copy of each will be sent to you upon request; you should read them before investing. Nothing in this message should be construed as financial, investment, legal or tax advice. Consult your own advisors before investing. Enroll Online Today! The Florida Prepaid College Board 2006-2007 Annual Report contains information, statistics, the Chairman’s Message, the financial statements and the actuarial report on the Florida Prepaid College Plan and Florida College Investment Plan.    Susanne Grieve, shown here swimming with sharks in the Bahamas, discovered her calling in life while studying underwater archeology and anthropology at the University of West Florida. She was able to afford going to college because her widowed mother scrimped and saved to pay for Susanne’s Florida Prepaid College Plan. Now Grieve is shivering in Antarctica on the adventure of a lifetime … Read more in the new College Bound           Customer Stories  “My father started the program for me when I was in middle school (probably somewhere around the same time the program began) … My father says to this day that he could not have afforded to pay for all of my college expenses at one time had he not taken advantage of the Florida Prepaid program. We enrolled our son, Jackson, this past enrollment period as an infant in the Florida Prepaid program  ... We celebrated Jackson's first birthday on 9/20/07, and we (parents & grandparents) are thrilled to give him the same gift my parents gave me,” Erin Jenkins Pagan of Orlando      Read More     Top 10 Reasons to Save for College 1. Putting a son or daughter through college may seem costly, but over a lifetime a college graduate generally earns at least $1 million more than someone with a high-school diploma. A Florida Prepaid College Plan offers the simplicity and security of buying something today for a child’s college education that will be worth more tomorrow. 2. Student debt is on the rise, with two-thirds of college students graduating with loan debt as of 2003-2004, compared to half of all graduates in debt in 1992-93, according to U.S. Department of Education’s latest data. Average debt during that time climbed from $9,297 to $19,202, with one-fourth of college graduates accumulating loans of $25,000 or higher. Read More   Hear Governor Crist talk about affordable ways for Florida families to save for college Governor Crist Marks Conclusion of Black History Month at Mansion Event  Governor Charlie Crist this evening will host a group of more than 200 community leaders, educators and students at the Governor’s Mansion to mark the conclusion of Black History Month. He will also honor Points of Light winners, educators, essay-contest winners, and James Gibson, one of the original Florida Highwaymen artists, who will present an original painting to the State of Florida. Read more

Child’s Back-to-School Check List: Don’t Forget Pencils and Paper Parents’ Back-to-School Check List: Don’t Forget Prepaid College Plan   The boy stuffing pencils and paper into his backpack and the girl waiting for the bright yellow bus are concentrating on going back to school. Their parents may want to look further ahead into their children’s future. As the school year begins, it’s a smart time to consider that college is one year closer. Parents should consider purchasing a Florida Prepaid College Plan for their children. The purchase of a Florida Prepaid College Plan allows the buyer to pre-pay tuition, fees and dormitory housing at today’s plan prices for tomorrow’s college education. Read More Jennifer Bryant, a special education teacher from St. Petersburg, Fla., and her family are all smiles thanks to the purchase of a Florida Prepaid College Plan for each of her children.

New Tuition Fee Becomes Law with Prepaid Families Exempt The promise made when you purchased a Florida Prepaid College Plan that you locked in today’s tuition plan prices for tomorrow’s college education was kept by Governor Charlie Crist and the 2007 Legislature. Governor Crist on June 27 signed into law a tuition differential fee approved by the Legislature, but the law exempts families that currently have either a Prepaid University Tuition Plan or a University plus Community College Tuition Plan contract from paying the fee now or in the future. Read More

^§ The State of Florida’s Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program is financially guaranteed by the State of Florida. Section 1009.98(7), Florida Statutes