Residency for tuition purposes is governed by
the section 1009.21, Florida Statutes and Rules
6A-10.044, Florid Administrative Code. The
student, who is classified as an out of state and
wants to request classification to in-state status,
must complete a residency statement and provide
all necessary supportive documentation
Documentary Evidence
The evidentiary requirement for reclassification
goes beyond that for an initial classification,
because these individuals have previously been
determined to be out-of-state residents. An individual
who is initially classified as a nonresident for
tuition purposes may become eligible for reclassification
as a resident for tuition purposes only if that
individual, or his or her parent if that individual
is a dependent child, supports permanent residency
in this state for 12 consecutive months. The individual,
or his or her parent if that individual is a dependent
child, must present documentation that substantiates
residency in this state for the purpose of maintaining
a bona fide domicile, rather than for the purpose
of maintaining a mere temporary residence or abode
incident to enrollment in an institution of higher
education.
Therefore, the burden of proof is on the student
to show: (1) residency in Florida for the requisite
12-month period; and (2) residency in the state
was not merely temporary or incident to enrolling
in a college or university located in Florida.
Documentation for meeting the first requirement
of reclassification is the same as for initial
classification. Additional evidence or documentation
may be required for meeting the second requirement
of reclassification. Examples of evidence that
may substantiate residency in this state for the
purpose of maintaining a bona fide domicile may
include:
Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent)
is not enrolled full time in a Florida higher
education institution during the previous 12
months.
Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent)
has maintained a full-time permanent job in Florida
during the previous 12 months. Full-time employment
is considered one or more permanent jobs for
a minimum of 30 hours a week.
Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent)
was transferred to a full-time permanent job
in Florida prior to initial enrollment as confirmed
on corporate or organizational letterhead.
Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent)
has an immediate relative (i.e., parent or child)
who is currently living in Florida and who has
resided in this state for the previous 12 months.
Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent)
has purchased a home in Florida as primary residence
(evidenced by a homestead exemption) prior to
initial enrollment.
Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent)
has received a military discharge and established
residency in Florida prior to initial enrollment.
Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent)
received social service benefits (e.g., disability)
from the State of Florida during the previous
12 months.
Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent)
lost their house or other domicile in another
state due to severe natural disaster or crisis
resulting in a state of emergency (e.g., hurricane
or earthquake) that occurred prior to initial
enrollment.
Additional information regarding reclassification
criteria may be found in the Guidelines
of Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes. The Residency
Change Request Worksheet along with
the Residency
Reclassification Financial Statement form,
if you are claiming independent, must be completed
and submitted to the Registrar’s office with
copies of the supportive documentation. We
recommend that you do this as soon as you feel
you are eligible to be considered in state and
strongly encourage that you submit along with your
form supportive documentation. Not submitting
the supportive documentation will delay this review.
