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Every incoming graduate student must establish status as a Florida resident or non-Florida
resident for tuition purposes. Once term registration has closed, changes to residency
status are not permitted.
Florida Residents
U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and certain non-U.S. citizens may be classified
as a Florida resident for tuition purposes provided legal residence has been established
in the state for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day
of classes of the term for which Florida residency is sought.
Residency documents are not required to complete an admissions application, but timely
submission of residency documents is encouraged so residency classification can be
updated accordingly.
All applicants are considered non-Florida residents until satisfactory proof of Florida
residency is received. Failure to provide all relevant information and required documentation could result
in a non-Florida resident classification for tuition purposes. All documentation must
be submitted prior to the last day of the drop/add period for the term in which resident
status is sought.
Students must supply two documents to support their claim of Florida residency. At
least one of the two documents submitted must be from the First Tier Residency Documents
List. The second document may be from the Second Tier List.
At least one residency document must be from this list. The second document may be
from this list or from the Second Tier Residency Document list.
Declaration of domicile in Florida (12 months from the date the document was sworn
and subscribed as noted by the Clerk of Circuit Court)
Florida voter registration
Florida vehicle registration
Florida driver's license (if known to be held in another state previously, must have
relinquished) OR a State of Florida identification card (if evidence of no ties to
another state)
Proof of purchase of a permanent home in Florida that is occupied as a primary residence
of the claimant
Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida (one or more jobs for at least
30 hours per week for a 12-month period)
Benefit histories from Florida agencies or public assistance programs
One document may be from this list as long as the other document is from the First
Tier Residency Document list.
Florida professional or occupational license
Florida incorporation
Documents evidencing family ties in Florida
Proof of membership in Florida-based charitable or professional organizations
Any other documentation that supports the student's request for resident status
Utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive months of payment
Lease agreement and proof of 12 consecutive months of payment
State or court documents evidencing legal ties to Florida
No contrary evidence establishing residence elsewhere
Documentation of dependent/independent status (copy of most recent IRS tax return).
Federal Income tax returns filed by resident(s) of a state other than Florida disqualify
the student for in-state tuition, unless:
The student's parents are divorced, separated or otherwise living apart and either
parent is a legal resident of Florida, or
The student becomes a legal resident and is married to a person who has been a legal
resident for the required 12 months period, or
The student is a member of the Armed Forces on active duty stationed in Florida, or
a spouse or dependent, or
The student is a member of the full-time instructional or administrative staff of
a state public school, community college or university in Florida, or a spouse or
dependent, or
The student is a dependent and has lived five years with an adult relative who has
established legal residence in Florida.
A student who meets any one of the following criteria shall be classified as an independent
student for the determination of residency for tuition purposes:
The student is 24 years of age or older by the first day of classes of the term for
which residency status is sought at a Florida institution
The student is married
The student has children who receive more than half of their support from the student
The student has other dependents who live with and receive more than half of their
support from the student
The student is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or is currently serving
on active duty in the United States Armed Forces for purposes other than training
Both of the student's parents are deceased or the student is or was (until age 18)
a ward/dependent of the court
The student is working on a master's or doctoral degree during the term for which
residency status is sought at a Florida institution
The student is classified as an independent by the financial aid office at the institution
Applicants claiming residency as a dependent must have a parent/other complete the
form and provide a copy of their most recent tax return, which must list the applicant
as a dependent. Residency must be verified using only one person's documents.
Note: Graduate and post-baccalaureate non-degree students can claim residency as an independent
even if they are a dependent on their parents' taxes if they can prove at least 12
months residency with their own two IDs.
International students do not qualify for in-state tuition.
USCIS Permanent Resident Cards or other documentation is required to prove legal US
residency, but this does not prove Florida residency.
Social Security cards, passports, property ownership, health insurance, vehicle insurance,
and school and university ID cards do not prove Florida residency.
