Homeschool benefits through Florida State College at Jacksonville homeschool
Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) provides the textbooks for your homeschooled student's dual-enrollment classes through the FSCJ Bookstore, books the college tells other students to budget at about $60 per credit hour. Students registered as homeschoolers with the Duval or Nassau County school district qualify, and they sign a rental agreement to return the books on the last day of the term.
Who qualifies
Registered with your district
Your student must be registered as a homeschool student with the Duval or Nassau County school district office, and the district's documentation must reach FSCJ by the deadline.
Attends the information session
The Homeschool Information Session is mandatory for homeschool dual-enrollment students.
Has a test score
Send ACT or SAT scores, or take a placement test: Duval homeschool students test with Duval County Public Schools Assessment and Nassau students test with FSCJ.
Signs the textbook agreement
The Textbook Agreement is one of the five required forms, and every homeschool dual-enrollment student signs a rental agreement at the bookstore.
What the textbook loan is worth
FSCJ's tuition page tells students to figure about $60 of books per credit hour, and the homeschool page sets the rental terms.
- Books for one 3-credit class
- About $180
- Books for two 3-credit classes
- About $360
- Application fee (others pay $25)
- $0
- Book return deadline
- Last day of term
- Late or missing books
- Fine
The homeschool page does not state tuition, so ask the coordinator whether your student will be billed anything beyond the books FSCJ provides.
From applying to returning the books
- Before you apply
Register and attend the session
Confirm your district homeschool registration, then sign up for the mandatory Homeschool Information Session.
- Application
Apply and send forms
Apply at apply.fscj.edu, print the consent form for a parent to sign on both signature lines, and email the five required forms to homeschooldualenrollment@fscj.edu.
- By the deadline
Coordinator registers your student
Dual-enrollment students do not register themselves, and no registration happens after the assigned deadline.
- Before classes start
Pick up books
Bring a printed copy of your student's schedule to the closest FSCJ Bookstore and sign the rental agreement.
- Last day of the term
Return every book
Books not returned bring a fine and can get your student removed from the next term's classes.
What it includes
Included
- Required textbooks for dual-enrollment classes
- The college application fee
Not included
- Keeping the books after the term
- Registration after the deadline
The books are rented, not given: FSCJ issues them through the bookstore and expects them back on the last day of the term.
Who to contact about homeschool dual enrollment
Labrena Bowman, FSCJ's Dual Enrollment Coordinator for homeschool students, collects the required forms and registers students for classes.
homeschooldualenrollment@fscj.edu 904-646-2300 Homeschool dual-enrollment page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Florida
You must file the initial written notice with the county superintendent within 30 days of starting. You must file a termination notice and the annual evaluation within 30 days of ending the program.
Florida sets these rules:
- Subjects: Parent-directed instruction; Florida law does not prescribe a specific curriculum for a home education program.
- Testing: Provide an annual educational evaluation using one statutory method; a portfolio review is one option, and an alternate method requires agreement with the district superintendent.
- Records: Keep a portfolio with an activities log made as instruction occurs, reading-material titles, and work samples. Preserve it for two years and make it available for inspection on 15 days’ written notice.
- Teachers: Florida does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Florida also has two education savings accounts that home-educated students can use.
- The Personalized Education Program funds a Florida K-12 student's approved education costs through a scholarship organization, with income and priority rules. It is separate from registering a home education program with your district.
- The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities funds approved education and disability costs for a student with a qualifying disability, including one in a registered home education program. The award depends on the disability and its services.
Read the Florida homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Florida
Questions parents ask
- Does a homeschooled student get free textbooks at FSCJ?
- Yes, as a rental. Your student must be registered with the Duval or Nassau County district and return the books by the last day of the term.
- Where do we pick up FSCJ dual enrollment books?
- At the closest FSCJ Bookstore, not the Dual Enrollment Office. Bring a printed copy of your student's class schedule.
- What happens if a book is not returned?
- Your student is fined and may be removed from classes in the following term.
- Who do we contact to register with the district?
- Duval County families email HomeEducation_Schoolchoice@duvalschools.org. Nassau County families contact Ms. Purvis at purviska@nassau.k12.fl.us.
- Which forms does FSCJ need from us?
- The Homeschool Articulation Agreement, Textbook Agreement, Homeschool District Verification, Registration Form, and Parent Contract, all emailed to the homeschool coordinator.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
College classes can cover part of high school. We teach the subjects your child needs alongside them, starting at the right level in each subject.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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