Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes

For the purpose of assessing tuition cost in the State’s public colleges and universities, students are classified as Florida residents or non-Florida residents in accordance with criteria set forth in Florida Statute (FS) 1009.21, State Board of Education Rules 6A-10.044 and 6A-20.003. A student’s residency classification determines whether the student’s tuition fees will be at the College’s established in-state or out-of-state rate.

U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and legal aliens lawfully present in the U.S. who are in an eligible visa category may be classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes if the independent student or the dependent student’s parent/legal guardian has established and maintained legal residence in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the term for which Florida residency is requested. Students who are non-U.S. citizens must also submit appropriate valid documentation from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to the College prior to the start of the academic period. Any student who was previously classified as a non-U.S. citizen and is now returning as a U.S. citizen must submit proper USCIS documentation. For more information, visit www.FloridaShines.org. F-1 visa students cannot be considered for in-state residency.

Note: Residency requirements are subject to change based on the decisions of the Florida Legislature.

Initial Residency Classification

The initial classification for Florida residency for tuition purposes is determined upon submission of the Florida Residency Declaration Questionnaire located in the Workday inbox of new and returning (degree- or non-degree-seeking) students who indicate they wish to claim Florida residency on their admission application. Students seeking an in-state resident classification are required to complete the Florida Residency Declaration for Tuition Purposes Questionnaire and provide information that pertains to the claimant (person claiming to be the Florida resident). For independent students, the claimant is the student and the student provides his/her own information. For dependent students, the claimant is a parent or legal guardian and the parent’s or legal guardian’s information must be provided. For specific definitions of a dependent and an independent student, please refer to the Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes Guidelines.

When completing the Florida Residency Declaration for Tuition Purposes Questionnaire, information may be provided for at least two of the following three documents: Florida voter’s registration card, Florida driver’s license or identification card and/or Florida vehicle registration. Other acceptable documents that may be used for residency purposes are listed in the Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes Guidelines. All documents supporting the establishment of Florida residency must have been dated, issued or filed 12 months or more prior to the first day of classes of the academic period for which Florida residency is requested.

After the College reviews and verifies the residency information, a residency classification will be sent to each student's Workday inbox informing them of their residency status and, if appropriate, will outline if additional information or documentation is required. Failure to provide all requested information or documentation before the first scheduled class day of the academic period or session in which the student enrolls will result in a non-Florida classification and the student will be charged out-of-state tuition rates.

Note: The residency classification for Transient students who attend a Florida public college or university will be the same residency classification determined by their home institution.

Reclassification

A student who is initially classified as an out-of-state resident may become eligible for reclassification to in-state status. To be considered for reclassification, the student must submit a completed Request for Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes Questionnaire along with supporting documentation to any campus Registrar’s Office prior to the first day of the academic period for which reclassification is requested. A minimum of three documents that support clear and convincing evidence of Florida legal residence for at least the last 12 consecutive months is required. Reclassification requests are submitted via Workday.

Students who become eligible for the in-state status during a term shall have their record adjusted to reflect the changed status effective for the next academic period of enrollment.

Appeal

Students denied Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes may appeal to the Residency Appeal Committee by submitting a completed Appeal of Florida Residency Classification Questionnaire in Workday.