Florida Residency Alternatives
Students are encouraged to explore Florida residency statutory exceptions and waivers options to determine if they qualify for any of these alternatives.
Florida residents qualify for in-state tuition. In most cases, residency is defined as having lived in Florida for at least 12 months prior to enrolling at Valencia College. However, exceptions to the residency requirement are made for students who fall into categories such as deployed military. If you haven’t been residing in Florida for the last year, you may qualify for one of the statutory exceptions listed below. Explore these exceptions and waivers options to determine if you can save on your tuition by claiming Florida residency.
Statutory Exceptions
If one of the statutory exceptions below describes you, you qualify as a resident for tuition purposes without having to prove physical residency in Florida for the last 12 months. It does not matter if you are dependent or independent if you are claiming a statutory exception. Please answer “Yes” on the Florida Residency form, mark the exception, and complete the form.
| Statutory Exceptions | Residency Affidavit | Required Documents |
|---|---|---|
| I am a qualified beneficiary under the terms of the Florida Pre-paid program. | Yes | Pre-paid Benefit Card |
| Another Florida public college or university has declared me as a resident for tuition purposes within the last 12 months. | Yes | Transcript indicating you were coded as RES and attendance at that institution within last 12 months. |
| I am married to a person who has maintained legal residence in Florida for at least 12 months. I have established legal residence and intend to make Florida my permanent home. | Yes (completed by spouse) | Marriage certificate (two documents from spouse, one document from student* (does not have to be 12 months). |
| I am a full-time employee of a Florida public school, community college or institution of higher education, or I am the employee's spouse or dependent child. | Yes (completed by student) | Letter from the school verifying employment of the employee. |
| I am a full-time employee of a state agency or political subdivision of the state whose student fees are paid by the state agency or political subdivision, for the purpose of job-related law enforcement or corrections training. | Yes | Letter from corrections agency verifying employment and that fees are to be paid for the employee. |
| I am a member of the armed services of the United States or National Guard stationed in Florida on active duty pursuant to military orders, or whose home of record is Florida, or I am a member's spouse or dependent child. | Yes | Active duty orders, Form #DD2058, showing home of record and document that proves relationship to student. |
Waivers
If you are a recent high school graduate or an honorably discharged veteran, you may
qualify for an out-of-state waiver.
Out-of-State Fee Waiver for Select High School Graduates
Valencia College is authorized by the state of Florida to provide an out-of-state fee waiver for students who meet all the following eligibility criteria:
- Attended a Florida high school for the last three consecutive years immediately before graduation from a Florida high school.
- Submitted an official high school transcript providing evidence of high school attendance as listed above.
- Submitted an admission application to a Florida College System or State University System institution within 24 months of high school graduation.
A waiver of out of state tuition is possible for undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students who graduate from a Florida high school.
Please note: Receipt of out-of-state tuition waivers does NOT constitute classification as a Florida resident for tuition purposes. Students who receive this waiver remain classified as non-Florida residents for tuition purposes and are NOT eligible for state financial aid, including Bright Futures. Residency for tuition purposes must be determined before this waiver is applied (if all criteria above is met). Students may enroll using the waiver for the number of credit hours that would equal 110 percent of the total number of required college credit or vocational credit hours of the students’ declared degree or certificate program.
To access the Out-of-State Fee Waiver Request form, log into your Atlas account, click on Students Tab > Student Forms > Admissions and Records > Out-of-State Fee Waiver Request form.
- Please sign in to complete the Out-of-State Waiver Request form.
GET ANSWERS.
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Friday: 9am – 10pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 9am – 5pm ET
During the closure, you can call between 9am - 5pm for general assistance any day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
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Thursday: Closed
Friday: 8 am – 5 pm ET
Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm ET
Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm ET
Veteran Tuition Waiver Program
Valencia College is authorized by the state of Florida to provide an out-of-state fee waiver for students who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Reserve Forces or the National Guard and provide their DD214 that shows honorably discharged status.
- Physically reside in Florida while enrolled at a Florida College System institution (such as Miami Dade College) and provide documentation, such as a valid Florida Driver’s license, Florida identification card, voter ID card or other legal documentation, which proves the veteran is physically residing in Florida during enrollment.
For more information visit our Office of Veteran Affairs.
Please note: Receipt of this out-of-state tuition waiver does NOT constitute classification as a Florida resident for tuition purposes. Students who receive this waiver remain classified as non-Florida residents for tuition purposes. Residency for tuition purposes must be determined before this waiver is applied (if all eligibility criteria are met). This waiver will cover the applicable portion of the out-of-state fees up to 110 percent of the required credit hours for the degree or certificate program in which the student is enrolled.
Waiver Legislation
Effective July 1, 2014 [applicable for Fall 2014 and thereafter], House Bill 851 and House Bill 7015 [amended section (s.) 1009.26, Florida Statutes (F.S.), fee waivers] authorized out-of-state waivers for students who meet specific criteria.
Appeals
In accordance with Florida Statutes, Valencia College has established a residency appeals committee to consider student appeals of residency determinations. In cases where the applicant expresses a desire to appeal the residency classification, the matter will be referred to the appeals committee.
The residency appeal officer or committee will convey to the applicant the final residency determination and the reasons for the determination within 20 business days. The final residency determination will be provided to the student in writing.
Students who wish to appeal the classification of Florida Residency for tuition purposes should submit the Florida Residency Appeal Checklist form citing the basis for the appeal. Copies of all documentation supporting the appeal for residency reclassification should be included with the request. Students may visit the Answer Center if they have questions or need guidance on completing the form. The request form and all supporting documentation can be submitted to admissionshelp@valenciacollege.edu.