Dual Enrollment for Florida Homeschool Students: How It Works

Yes, Florida home education students can take college courses through dual enrollment, with tuition and fees waived and required instructional materials provided free. The rules are in section 1007.271, Florida Statutes, and each college puts them into a home education articulation agreement that you and your child sign.

Here is how the program works for homeschoolers, using one college as an example. Details vary from one institution to the next, so check your local college's own rules.

What is dual enrollment?

Dual enrollment lets an eligible secondary student take a college course that also counts toward high school completion. Section 1002.41(6) gives home education students the right to take part, in accordance with ss. 1007.27(4) and 1007.271(13).

Who is eligible as a home education student?

Under s. 1007.271(13)(a), a home education student must:

Provide proof of enrollment in a home education program under s. 1002.41.
Be responsible for his or her own transportation, unless the articulation agreement says otherwise.
Sign a home education articulation agreement with the college.

Proof of enrollment usually means a letter from your district's home education office. Valencia College, for example, asks for a verification letter from the Orange or Osceola County home education office showing that the student is registered and in good standing.

Is there a GPA requirement for homeschoolers?

For most dual enrollment students, s. 1007.271(3) requires a 3.0 unweighted high school GPA to start college credit courses, plus test scores showing college-level communication and computation skills.

Home education students are treated differently at the start. Under s. 1007.271(13)(b), a high school GPA may not be required for home education students who demonstrate college-level communication and computation skills. To continue, the student must keep at least the college's minimum postsecondary GPA.

Colleges set their own continuing rules within the law. Valencia, for example, requires a Valencia GPA of 2.0 or higher to stay in good standing, and allows one course withdrawal during the program. A second withdrawal means dismissal from dual enrollment there.

What test scores are needed?

The statute requires a demonstrated level of college-level skills under s. 1008.30 but does not list scores. Colleges publish the scores they accept, usually on the PERT, SAT, ACT or CLT.

As one example, Valencia lists college-ready minimums including a PERT reading score of 106 and writing score of 103, and ACT reading 19 and English 17. Its math minimums depend on the math course. Valencia accepts any combination of eligible scores, only from tests taken within the past two years. Other colleges may accept different tests or scores.

What is the home education articulation agreement?

Every public postsecondary institution that offers dual enrollment must sign a home education articulation agreement with each home education student. The institution must submit its agreement to the Florida Department of Education by August 1 each year.

At a minimum, s. 1007.271(13)(b) says the agreement must include:

The courses and programs open to dually enrolled home education students.
Initial and continued eligibility requirements, which cannot be stricter than those for other dual enrollment students.
The student's responsibility for providing his or her own transportation.
A copy of the Department of Education's statement on transfer guarantees.

Many colleges require a new agreement every year. Valencia requires continuing home education students to submit a new articulation agreement and a new eligibility verification each academic year.

Who pays for tuition, fees and textbooks?

Tuition and fees. Under s. 1007.271(16), dual enrollment students are exempt from registration, tuition and laboratory fees.

Textbooks and instructional materials. Under s. 1007.271(17), instructional materials assigned for dual enrollment courses must be made available to dual enrollment students free of charge. Families do not buy required textbooks for these courses.

For public school students, the school district covers these costs during the fall and spring terms; summer courses are reimbursed by the state. For home education students, the state's Dual Enrollment Scholarship Program under s. 1009.30 reimburses the college for tuition and related instructional materials. That reimbursement depends on what the Legislature funds each year. Valencia's dual enrollment FAQ says home education students' courses are financed by the state, and that consumable items are not included in the free materials.

Colleges handle the logistics differently. Valencia, for example, adds funds to the student's account each semester for online bookstore orders and tells students not to choose the rental option.

Who handles transportation?

You do, in most cases. The statute makes the home education student responsible for his or her own transportation unless the articulation agreement provides otherwise. If your child will attend in person, plan for getting to campus and for any campus parking rules.

How do you get started?

Confirm your registration. Your notice of intent must be on file with your district's home education office. Ask that office how to request a verification letter.
Find your college's home education page. Look for its home education articulation agreement, eligibility rules and term deadlines. Some colleges serve only students from certain counties. Valencia, for example, accepts home education students who live in Orange or Osceola County.
Take a placement test. Check which tests and scores the college accepts and how scores must be sent.
Apply by the deadline. Submit the dual enrollment application, the signed articulation agreement and the verification letter.
Choose courses from the approved list. Order the free required materials through the college's process.

Many families combine college courses with tutors, co-ops or test prep. Browse Florida homeschool providers to find support near you.

FAQ

Do homeschoolers need a 3.0 GPA for dual enrollment in Florida?

Not to start, if they demonstrate college-level skills. Section 1007.271(13)(b) says a high school GPA may not be required for home education students who meet that standard. To continue, they must keep the college's minimum postsecondary GPA.

Do Florida homeschool students pay for dual enrollment textbooks?

No, not for required instructional materials. Section 1007.271(17) requires them to be provided free of charge to dual enrollment students. Colleges may exclude consumable items, as Valencia does.

Can a homeschool student dual enroll at any Florida college?

Not necessarily. Each institution sets the courses, eligibility details and service area in its own agreement. Some colleges, like Valencia, serve only students from specific counties.

Does the articulation agreement have to be renewed?

That depends on the college. Valencia requires a new agreement and eligibility verification every academic year.

What to do now

Read your local college's current home education articulation agreement in full.
Write down the college's application and test score deadlines for the term you want.
Ask your district home education office how long a verification letter takes.

Sources

Last checked: September 2026