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Virtual Instruction Program & Online Course Provider Resources

Please note that private virtual schools and Virtual Instruction Program (VIP) providers are not the same. Private virtual schools may not receive scholarship funding through the various school choice programs. Students who participate in the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities Program or the Florida Tax Credit - Personalized Education Program can use their scholarship funding toward tuition and fees associated with a virtual program offered by a department-approved Virtual Instruction Program provider that has met the specifications in s. 1002.45(2)(a), Florida Statutes. A private school does not qualify under this section. If you wish to operate a virtual private school in Florida, please follow the instructions found on the Opening a Private School page (Virtual and In-Person private schools follow the same guidelines).

Virtual Instruction Program (VIP) Provider

What is a VIP? Virtual Instruction Program Providers are providers of online only educational content that has been aligned to Florida educational standards. They must provide full-time instruction but may offer part-time instruction as well for those grades that they serve. They must contract with Florida school districts or with virtual charter schools to provide complete virtual school programs and their teachers must be Florida certified. All applications are submitted online during the month of September at: https://flvprovider.smapply.org/

  1. Application for new providers: VSP-02 Form for VIP Provider Approval (PDF) Updated 8-24
  2. Application for renewing providers: VSP-02R Form for VIP Provider Renewal (PDF) Updated 8-24

VIP Application Walkthrough (PDF)

Online Course Provider

What is an Online Course Provider? Online Course Providers offer individual online courses aligned to Florida educational standards. They must contract with Florida school districts or with virtual charter schools to provide their approved courses. These providers should have Florida certified teachers available to instruct their approved courses. This approval process is not for curriculum or content providers. All applications are submitted online during the month of September at: https://flvprovider.smapply.org/

  1. Application for new providers: VSP-03 Form for Online Course Provider Approval (New) (PDF)
  2. Application for currently approved providers, adding courses: VSP-04 Form for Current Online Course Provider adding new courses (Current) (PDF)
  3. Application for renewing providers: VSP-05 Form for Online Course Provider Renewal Approval (Renewal) (PDF)

Online Course Provider Application Walkthrough (PDF)

The Provider Approval Process

For all applications the approval process is cyclical, beginning in September and concluding in March. Any approval that is granted will begin the following school year. All applications are submitted online at: https://flvprovider.smapply.org/

Timeline

  • August 15th: Registration opens
  • September 1-30: Online application submission window is open
  • September 30: Window closes at midnight, no further submissions will be accepted for this cycle after this time
  • October 1-31: Review of applications
  • November: Applicants are notified of any deficiencies found by reviewers and then have 30 days to resubmit corrections
  • December: Final submissions with corrections are received and a final review phase is conducted
  • January: Final review results are determined
  • February-March: Applicants are notified of the final results of their application

Additional Resources

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