FLVS Flex is completely free for Florida residents. The Florida Department of Education confirms that all FLVS Flex courses are offered at no cost to Florida students and are taught by certified teachers. There is no tuition, and course materials are provided through the online platform. However, a few situations do carry a per-course fee, so it’s worth understanding who qualifies for free access and who doesn’t.
Who Qualifies for Free Courses
To take FLVS Flex courses at no cost, you need to be a Florida resident and fall into one of four categories:
- Continuously enrolled in a Florida public high school or middle school (meaning you haven’t already graduated or received a diploma)
- Continuously enrolled in an affiliated private high school or middle school
- Registered as a homeschool student through a Florida public school district
- Enrolled in a hospital or homebound program
If you fit one of those descriptions, you can enroll in FLVS Flex courses from kindergarten through 12th grade without paying anything. The courses are self-paced, so you work through the material on your own schedule with support from an FLVS instructor.
When FLVS Flex Is Not Free
The main exception involves students who receive a school choice scholarship to attend a private school or receive other educational services. If you’re using a scholarship like the Family Empowerment Scholarship or a similar program, FLVS charges $375 per half-credit segment. A standard course is two segments (one full credit), which means a single course costs $750 out of pocket or through scholarship funds.
State guidelines add another wrinkle: scholarship money must first cover private school tuition and fees. Only leftover funds can be applied to FLVS courses. If your scholarship doesn’t have enough remaining after paying for your private school, your family is responsible for the balance. FLVS accepts credit cards, checks, money orders, ACH transfers, and wire transfers. Payment plans are also available, with monthly charges automatically applied to a card on file.
If you enroll as a scholarship or private-pay student and change your mind, FLVS offers a full refund within 14 days of the teacher activating the course. After that window closes, or once you complete 20% of the coursework, no refund is issued.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
FLVS Flex delivers everything through its online platform, so you won’t need to buy textbooks for most courses. You will need a reliable computer or tablet and an internet connection. Some courses, particularly in subjects like art or certain science labs, may call for basic household supplies, but FLVS does not charge separately for specialized software or digital materials.
Because FLVS Flex is self-paced rather than following a set class schedule, you can start courses at multiple points throughout the year. Each course has a completion window, and your assigned teacher will check in regularly to help you stay on track. Grades and credits transfer to your home school, whether that’s a public school, private school, or homeschool program.
How FLVS Flex Stays Free
FLVS is a public school district established by the state of Florida, funded through the same per-student funding model that supports brick-and-mortar public schools. When a Florida student enrolls in an FLVS Flex course, the state allocates funding to FLVS on that student’s behalf. That’s why there’s no tuition bill for eligible residents. The cost is covered by Florida’s education budget, not by families.