In general, a 529 Plan should not affect eligibility for merit–based scholarships. Having a 529 Plan will not prevent you from receiving a Bright Futures Scholarship in Florida. In fact, if your child receives a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and you also have a Prepaid Plan, excess funds can be used to pay for other Qualified Higher Education Expenses such as textbooks, supplies and housing.
For more information about Florida Bright Futures Scholarships, please visit the website.
Plus, explore our new website designed to make saving for college easier than ever.
Troy Miller is the Deputy Chief Data Officer for the Florida Board of Governors and provides stakeholders with data and analytics concerning the State University System of Florida. Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Miller served as Associate Director for Research and Policy at the Florida College Access Network and is a doctoral candidate at the University of South Florida’s College of Education. He is a recipient of the University of South Florida Outstanding Staff Award and National College Access Network’s Dr. David B. Swedlow Memorial College Access Practitioner Award of Excellence. Mr. Miller received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Central Michigan University.
Mr. Lovett is managing director and co-founding partner of Lovett Miller & Co., a Florida-based venture capital and private equity firm that invests in privately held companies primarily in the Southeastern United States. Mr. Lovett has also served as founder, chairman and chief executive officer of two successful growth companies, TowerCom Development, LP, and TowerCom Limited. In addition, Mr. Lovett formerly served as a member of the board of trustees for the University of North Florida and also served as president of the foundation board and co-chairman of the University of North Florida’s Capital Campaign. He is also a former chairman of the Youth Crisis Center and the Jacksonville Jaguars Honor Rows program. Mr. Lovett graduated from Harvard College and lives in Atlantic Beach, Florida.
Chancellor Kathy Hebda has committed more than 30 years to improving education for students in Florida across all educational sectors. As Chancellor of the Florida College System’s 28 institutions, she continues to advocate for open access for all Floridians to high-quality, affordable postsecondary education. Chancellor Hebda began her educational career in Florida’s and Georgia’s public school system as a middle school chorus teacher. She came to the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) in 1992 first serving as a program specialist, policy coordinator, and administrator of the District Certification Partnership Training Program in the Bureau of Educator Certification. Hebda also held positions as FDOE’s Deputy Public School Chancellor for Educator Quality, as well as Chief of the Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development, and Retention. Before becoming Chancellor of the Florida College System, Hebda served as Chief of Staff to Florida’s former Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. Chancellor Hebda earned her master’s degree in Music Education from Florida State University and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Newberry College in South Carolina.
Slater Bayliss was appointed to the Florida Prepaid College Board by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2021. Slater is a co-founder of The Advocacy Partners and has worked in public affairs for over two decades. He advises large and small companies specializing in areas of financial services, insurance, and risk management. Previously, Slater served in Governor Jeb Bush’s administration where his portfolio included business recruitment and economic development. Following his time in the Governor’s office he managed the only citizen’s initiative campaign in Florida history to successfully repeal a provision from the state constitution. In this role he managed all financial and accounting functions for the campaign in addition to directing political strategy. Slater served in numerous volunteer roles including as Chair of the Florida Sports Charitable Foundation where he oversaw investment management as well as the foundation’s grant process. Additionally, he has served as Chair of the Board of Directors for Tree House of Tallahassee and was responsible for the financial solvency and strategy of the organization. Slater earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree from Florida State University.
Mark Agustin currently serves as an executive with Blue Ridge Associates, a leading provider of technology enabled compliance consulting and administrative processing services within the US retirement industry.
Prior to joining Blue Ridge Associates, Mark served as Chief Operating Officer of Today’s Dental Network, a leading dental services organization. Previously, Mr. Agustin served as President of Aspire Financial Services, a leading provider of technology enabled financial processing services within the U.S. retirement industry. Mark has also served in various executive leadership roles with Carrier Enterprise, PMSI/AmerisourceBergen, Zavata, Watsco, IMR Global, and HealthPlan Services.
Mr. Agustin received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Accounting from Widener University.
Vice Chairman
Adria D. Starkey was appointed to the Florida Prepaid College Board by Governor Rick Scott in December 2015. Ms. Starkey serves as the Collier County President for FineMark National Bank & Trust. Ms. Starkey has three decades of experience in financial services. Prior to joining FineMark, Ms. Starkey was Chief Operating Officer of The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company and President of The Naples Trust Company. She is currently on the Foundation Board for Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida, the Board of Directors for Gulfshore Playhouse and the Friends of Baker Park Board of Directors. She is currently a trustee of the Naples Children and Education Foundation. Ms. Starkey holds a degree in finance from the University of Florida and has done postgraduate work at Florida International University, University of Miami and the University of North Carolina.
Chairman
Ambassador John D. Rood was appointed to the Florida Prepaid College Board by Governor Rick Scott in 2016 and is the current Chairman of the Board. Mr. Rood is the founder and chairman of The Vestcor Companies. He served as United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas from 2004 until 2007. Mr. Rood previously served as a member of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Board of Governors of the State University System. He is on the Board of Trustees of Flagler College and previously served as a board member for Episcopal High School and Teach for America. Mr. Rood received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana.