Guidelines & Procedures

Things you need to know about Residency Reclassification

• Residency Reclassification criteria are established by Florida law and Florida Department of Education regulations. The Records & Registration's Office cannot waive State/DOE criteria for any reason.
• A student who is classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes may become eligible for reclassification as a resident for tuition purposes by presenting a minimum of three (3) documents identified in sections 1009.21(3)(c)1. or 1009.21(3)(c)2., that convincingly demonstrate the establishment of permanent legal residence in Florida other than for the sole purpose of pursuing a postsecondary education. Documentation must demonstrate that the student or, if the student is a dependent, the student’s parent has maintained legal residence in Florida for at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes for the term for which residency reclassification is sought except as otherwise provided in section 1009.21(6).
• Living in Florida for a year or longer does not automatically qualify you for in-state tuition (Florida Resident).
• Under Florida law, there is a difference between being a "Florida Resident" and being a "Florida Resident for Tuition Purposes."
• To be considered a "Florida Resident for Tuition Purposes," you must prove through official and/or legal documents that you have moved to Florida permanently and not merely living in Florida temporarily while you attend FGCU.
• All supporting documents (for example; driver's license, vehicle registration, voter registration card) must be dated 12 calendar months prior to the first day of classes for the requested reclassification term. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
• The Department of Records & Registration cannot consider personal justifications for documents not meeting the 12-month requirement. For example, "I have a Florida driver's license now, but I did not get it when I moved here a year ago because . . .", is a personal justification that cannot be considered.
• Leases and employment verification show physical presence only. By themselves, they do not qualify you for Residency Reclassification.
• Ties to another state or country will disqualify you from Residency Reclassification.
• Evidence that you are the financial dependent of an out-of-state resident will disqualify you from Residency Reclassification.
• Financial hardship cannot be considered in Residency Reclassification.
• Despite the length of time you attend FGCU, you may not qualify for "Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes."

Policy for Reclassification of Current Students

The offices of Undergraduate Admissions (239-590-7915) and Graduate Admissions (239-590-7988) determine first term residency at FGCU for tuition purposes for all newly-admitted students.

Reclassification of residency for the purpose of tuition is not automatic. Enrolled students who are classified as non-Florida residents for tuition purposes and who believe they may qualify for in-state tuition effective with the next academic semester must submit the Request for Change in Residency for Tuition form to the Department of Records & Registration prior to the last day of the drop/add or late registration period for the term in which resident status is sought. Supporting documents (as noted in the Initial Classification section) must be attached to the form. If claiming independence status and under the age of 24, a copy of the most recent federal income tax filing for the student and parent are required. The claimant, under the age of 24, who has annual financial resources totaling half the cost of attendance or more, must provide their most recent tax return along with copies of their W2 forms; or with documents establishing other sources of income from within Florida.

The Department of Records & Registration reserves the right to require additional documentation in order to determine the resident status of a current student. Rent receipts, leases, employment records are not evidence in itself of legal Florida residence. If Florida residency status for the purpose of tuition is denied, the student may file an appeal to the Department of Records & Registration. The decision of the Residency Appeal Committee is final, as provided by law.

Approved residency reclassification will not be applied retroactively to previous terms.

NOTE: The provisions under both state laws will apply to initial and reclassification procedures as well as degree and non-degree seeking students at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Residency - The State Laws

View additional Residency Reclassification information at Florida Shines: Residency Guidelines and State University System of Florida: Residency Requirements. For any additional questions, contact the Enrollment Services Center at 239-590-7920 or email to orr@fgcu.edu.

Revised 09-2020

Cancellation for Non-Payment:

Students are liable for tuition and fees associated with all courses in which they are registered at the end of the drop/add period. The fee payment deadline is published in the Academic Calendar.  Any student who has not made any effort to pay their tuition and fees by the published deadline will have their courses cancelled.  All students who make an effort to pay by the published deadline will not be cancelled from their courses and are considered fee liable.

The following is determined by the university as an effort to pay:

Any type of personal payment made towards the current term’s tuition (i.e. credit card, check, cash) and/or any type of Financial Aid & Scholarships, Grants, Tuition Waivers, Florida Bright Futures, Florida Pre-paid, and Third Party Contracts that are posted as Estimated Financial Aid on the Bill & Payment Center in Gulfline for the current term.

Reinstatement with Payment:

Requests for reinstatement of registration for classes cancelled for fiscal reasons must be submitted in writing to the Department of Records & Registration. Requests for reinstatement must meet one of the following conditions: 
    1) the student’s registration was cancelled through University error, or 
    2) the student was prevented from making timely payment due to extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control.

Reinstatement of registration must occur within 30 days after the date of cancellation. Notification of cancellation for non-payment is mailed to the student’s permanent address on file in the Department of Records & Registration. Additionally, email notifications are sent through the FGCU Eagle email system.

To request reinstatement, complete the Request for Reinstatement of Registration form and submit to the Department of Records & Registration by the published deadline date. Reinstatement will apply to the student’s entire schedule of classes and cannot be requested selectively for certain classes. All reinstated students will be assessed a late registration fee and a late payment fee. If reinstatement is granted, payment of all fees must be received by the Cashier’s Office prior to reinstatement.

You are only required to complete an Appeal for Withdrawal with Extenuating Circumstances if you meet the following criteria:

• You need to withdraw from some or all courses due to an extenuating circumstance AND
• You have missed the ADD/DROP date listed on the academic calendar (see academic calendar link below)

View academic calendar

• Medical Withdrawal
• Military Call to Active Duty (For additional options, please see section on this topic.
• Extended absence (usually more than two weeks) due to a death in the immediate family
• Financial Circumstances
• Other unusual or special cases, considered on a case-by-case basis.

Online Petition for an Appeal for Withdrawal with Extenuating Circumstances

An Application must be submitted within one term after the term for which the Appeal for Withdrawal with Extenuating Circumstances is being requested. (i.e. Fall courses must be petitioned no later than the last day of the following spring semester). If submitted outside of the timeframe, reasons for the delayed request must be specified.

An approved request will be indicated by a WE on the transcript.

 A WE grade does not affect your GPA.  You will not earn credit for the course for which you received a WE.

Approved Applications for an Appeal for Withdrawal with Extenuating Circumstances may be forwarded to the University Fee Appeal committee to be considered for a refund of tuition and fees. An approved Withdrawal does not dismiss the student from their entire financial obligation to the University. The student will still be responsible for any housing costs as per the Terms and Conditions of the student’s housing agreement and any repayment of financial aid and scholarships in accordance with federal student aid, state, and institutional guidelines. Students are encouraged to speak to officials within Housing and Residence Life as well as Financial Aid to determine their financial obligation. Additionally, students will still be responsible for any meal plan costs as per the Terms and Conditions of their meal plan agreement.  

You’ll have the option to forward your documents to these departments for further review.

Completed appeals are typically reviewed within two weeks of receipt.

You will receive an email via your Eagle Email.

Lower Level: courses numbered 1000-2999

Upper Level: courses numbered 3000-4999

Every FGCU Student may withdraw from a maximum of three lower level and two upper level undergraduate courses without academic penalty.  This includes, but is not limited to:

• Degree Seeking Students
• Dual Degree
• Double Major
• Second Bachelor’s Degree
• Transfer Student
• Transient Student
• Non-Degree Seeking Student

No, the separation between the number of allowed lower-level course withdrawals and the number of allowed upper-level course withdrawals is firm.  That is, a student who has only two (not three) lower-level course withdrawals still has only two upper-level course withdrawals remaining.

Similarly, students may not “borrow” against the upper level course withdrawal total (two) to excuse additional lower level course withdrawals beyond the three that are allowed.

W grades will be assigned in the chronological order in which a student withdraws from the course. For example, should a student wish to withdraw without academic penalty from 4 lower level courses, a W will be assigned to the first three courses listed on the Course Withdrawal or Term Withdrawal form.  The remaining course(s) over the allowed 3/2 Rule will receive a WF grade.