Can I get my social security check if I do Florida Virtual School?

School Report on Long Life

One Response to “Can I get my social security check if I do Florida Virtual School?”

1. Augmented Real Reality says:

   April 2, 2007 at 12:50 am

   my virtual vacation

   Here is a ruling Social Security made about this school:

   PR 07905.011 Florida
   A. PR 09-096 Status of Florida Virtual Global School as an Educational Institution

   DATE: May 5, 2009
   1. SYLLABUS

   The Florida Virtual Global School (FLVGS), an Internet school located in Florida, provides secondary education in accordance with Florida law. The FLVGS is, therefore, an educational institution for SSA purposes.
   2. OPINION

   QUESTION PRESENTED

   You asked whether Florida Virtual Global School, an internet school located in Florida, can be classified as an educational institution for the purpose of determining entitlement to child’s insurance benefits.

   Opinion

   Based on the information provided, Florida Virtual Global School would be considered an educational institution under the Agency’s regulations.

   Background

   Katherine M. M~ (Claimant), a resident of Tennessee, currently receives child’s insurance benefits on the earnings record of her father Kenneth C. M~. Claimant seeks to continue these payments beyond the age of eighteen based on her full-time attendance with Florida Virtual Global School (FLVGS), an internet school located in Florida.

   FLVGS is located in Orlando, Florida, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation. See Florida Virtual Global School Website, (last visited on April 27, 2009). FLVGS’s website also notes that it is a public school funded by Florida state tax dollars. The website states FLVGS is an extension of Florida Virtual School. FLVGS does not issue high school diplomas. Instead, FLVGS will provide transcripts of all course work completed at FLVGS. The materials we received included a letter from the Tennessee Department of Education that stated Tennessee recognizes Florida Virtual School as an appropriate on-line program for educational choices.

   The courses offered by FLVGS include: 1) Core Courses such as math, science, social studies, and language arts; 2) Elective Courses such as art, business tech, computer science, foreign language, health, and study skills; 3) Honors Courses; and 4) Advance Placement (AP) Courses. See (last visited April 27, 2009).

   In her statement regarding school attendance, Claimant said she was scheduled to attend school twenty-five hours per week. Claimant expects to graduate from high school in July 2009. Claimant also indicated she is not being paid by an employer to attend school. Elaine M~, the principal at FLVGS, signed this document certifying Claimant’s statements. Ms. M~ further certified that Claimant’s course work lasted at least thirteen weeks.

   Discussion

   To be eligible for child’s benefits on the earnings record of an insured person who is entitled to old-age or disability benefits, a claimant eighteen years or older who is not disabled must be a full-time elementary or secondary school student. See Social Security Act (Act) § 202(d)(1)(B)(i); 42 U.S.C. § 402(d)(1)(B)(i); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.350(a)(5), 404.367 (2008). An individual can meet this requirement if he or she attends a school that provides elementary or secondary education as determined under the law of the state in which the school is located. See Act § 202(d)(7)(A), (C)(i); 20 C.F.R. § 404.367(a). Because FLVGS is located in Florida, we look to Florida law to determine whether FLVGS qualifies as an elementary and/or secondary school.

   Florida statutes recognize five types of educational entities: public schools, private schools, parochial, religious or denominational schools, home education programs, and private tutoring programs. See FLA. STAT. § 1003.01(13) (2008). Florida statutes further state parents of public school students may seek the public school choice option available to their child. See FLA. STAT. § 1002.20(6)(a) (2008). Public school choices include the Florida Virtual School. See id. Because FLVGS is an extension of the Florida Virtual School and Florida recognizes the Florida Virtual School as a public school choice, we conclude FLVGS is a school that provides secondary education under the Act and the Agency’s regulations. See Act § 202(d)(7)(C)(i); 20 C.F.R. § 404.367(b).

   Furthermore, because Claimant resides in Tennessee, we look to Tennessee law to determine if she qualifies as a full-time secondary student. 20 C.F.R. § 404.367(b). According to Tennessee law, a child between the ages of six (6) and seventeen (17) must attend public or non-public school. See TENN. CODE ANN. § 49-6-3001(c) (2008). The evidence provided demonstrates Tennessee recognizes FLVGS as an acceptable school option. Additionally, Claimant attends FLVGS classes twenty-five hours per week. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.367(c) (“To be considered in full-time attendance, your scheduled attendance must be at the rate of at least 20 hours per week”). Mo