Florida sweepstakes to award $1,000 scholarships & prizes to students this month: Here's how you can enter

Cover photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

Been meaning to open a savings plan to send the kids to college but just never got around to it? Wanting a little extra cash to jumpstart the fund? Offered by Florida State Parks in partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Saving Program, a giveaway this month may just be the place to turn.

The partnership between The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Florida State Parks and the Florida Prepaid College Savings Program, is encouraging families to explore and enjoy all that Florida has to offer children now and in the future by way of the "Exploring Education Scholarship" sweepstakes.

Ten Florida children will be awarded grand prizes of a $1,000 scholarship in a Florida 529 Savings Plan and a Florida State Parks Junior Ranger Bag, which includes a hammock, as well as an inflatable standup paddle board.

According to the release, parents and guardians of children from newborn to eighth grade can enter the sweepstakes here for a chance to win. Entries are open now and will run until June 30, 2023. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by July 20, 2023.

Additionally, during this sweepstakes period, Florida Prepaid will invest $50 toward every newly created Florida 529 Savings Plan account.

“A Florida 529 Savings Plan is a great option for families,” said John Rood, Chairman of the Florida Prepaid College Board. “It offers an affordable, flexible way for Floridians to save. We will contribute $50 into newly opened accounts to support Florida families as they make the important decision to save toward a child’s postsecondary education.”

The partnership not only invites families to discover educational opportunities through a Florida Prepaid college savings plan, but also welcomes families to enjoy the instructive aspects of the Florida State Parks Junior Ranger Program — where young people can learn about, serve, and share in Florida's natural and cultural resources.

“We encourage children to become Junior Rangers and explore the 90 state parks offering the program,” said DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “This provides unique ways for children to discover the natural world and how to protect and conserve Florida's unique environment.”

Florida’s 175 award-winning state parks provide boundless recreational and educational opportunities. Park rangers provide year-round programming to tell the stories of Florida’s state parks, while museums, visitor centers, and interpretive displays provide opportunities for self-paced learning.

Junior Rangers will pledge to learn about Florida's state parks and share what they have learned with others as they explore the real Florida. Through education and service, Junior Rangers help support the mission of Florida State Parks to preserve and restore Florida's natural and cultural resources.

If you're unable to visit a park, they can also explore as a Virtual Junior Ranger from anywhere.
​
To learn more about the Junior Ranger Program, the partnership with Florida Prepaid, and to submit an entry for the scholarship program, visit FloridaStateParks.org/FloridaPrepaid.
Article by Rachael Volpe