What is Florida Residency?
Residency refers to whether you are an in-state Florida resident or an out-of-state resident. This classification is important since it determines your tuition rate. Students who are eligible for Florida residency for tuition purposes pay a much lower tuition rate. See the current rates.
All students will be admitted as non-Florida residents until each student provides the required Florida Residency form and supporting documentation needed to prove Florida residency. For students who do not submit the required documentation and still register for classes, tuition will be charged at the out-of-state rate.
To qualify for in-state tuition, you, your parent(s), or your legal guardian must have established legal Florida residency for tuition purposes for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of the term.
To be considered for Florida residency for tuition purposes, a student must also be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the United States. Non-U.S. citizens who are lawfully present may include:
- A permanent resident alien, parolee, asylee, Cuban–Haitian entrant, or other legal alien granted an indefinite stay in the United States.
- A foreign national in a nonimmigrant visa classification that permits the individual to establish and maintain a bona fide domicile in the United States, as defined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Florida residency for tuition purposes is different from establishing general Florida residency. Living in Florida or attending school in the state does not automatically establish residency for tuition purposes. In addition, students who depend on out-of-state parents for financial support are generally presumed to be legal residents of the same state as their parent(s).
Note: Students who do not meet the 12-month residency requirement or who are unable to provide the required documentation may still qualify for in-state tuition through certain statutory exceptions or may be eligible for an out-of-state tuition waiver, depending on their circumstances.
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All students who are admitted to a public College or University in Florida must complete an affidavit and provide proof of residency for tuition purposes in accordance with state law in order to pay “in-state” tuition.
The Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes policy is based upon state statute, rules of the two higher education governing boards in Florida, and statewide guidelines developed by college and university administrators in conjunction with the Statewide Residency Committee and the Florida Department of Education.
Cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate of expenses you might encounter while attending Valencia College. Your COA includes more than just tuition and fees.