Students Graduating
Residency for Tuition Purposes
 

What is Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes?

Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes refers to whether you are a permanent in-state (Florida) resident or an out-of-state resident. This classification determines your tuition cost as defined by Florida state statute 1009.21 and the State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.044. A Florida resident for tuition purposes is defined as an individual who has resided in the state for 12 consecutive months prior to the start of enrollment in classes, and who has established legal ties in Florida according to Florida Statute 1009.21. This must be shown by producing the documents requested in the declaration.

Each time a student applies to the University, the student must have his or her residency verified. The student must complete the residency declaration and submit the appropriate documentation through FAU's secure residency portal prior to the end of his or her first semester under the active application. If a student fails to finalize the reclassification process by the communicated deadlines in your requested semester, the student will continue to be responsible for out-of-state tuition and fees charged. Florida Legislature recently updated Florida Statute 1009.21. For updated information, please review here. Please see the definitions for clarity.

** It is the student’s responsibility to check their residency classification when they are admitted to Florida Atlantic University. **

Do I have to prove that I'm a Florida resident if I graduated from a Florida High School?
Yes. Just graduating from a Florida high school is not sufficient proof of Florida residency for tuition purposes. You must submit the appropriate documentation to prove your bona fide domicile in the state of Florida for at least 12 months preceding the first day of classes of the term for which Florida residency is sought
I previously attended FAU as an undergraduate student, can you use my previous residency documents from my undergraduate degree for my graduate admission process?
No. Each time a student applies to the University, the student must have his or her residency verified. The student must complete the residency declaration and submit the appropriate documentation through FAU's secure residency portal prior to the end of his or her first semester under the active application. If a student fails to produce any requested documents prior to the end of his or her first semester, that student will be responsible for any out-of-state tuition charged
What is the difference between Initial Residency Classification and Reclassification?
Once classified as a Florida Resident, do I have to reapply every semester?
No. Once you are classified as a Florida resident, you will keep that status unless you become inactive.
Where and when can I submit my residency reclassification request?
If you have completed one semester of enrollment as a non-Florida resident for tuition purposes and would like to request reclassification of your Florida residency status, please complete the residency reclassification request form. The form and all related documents must be uploaded to our secure portal at https://owlfiles.fau.edu/files/reg.
What documents do I submit with my residency reclassification request?
  • Required documents (all supporting documents must reflect 12 consecutive months prior to the start of the requested term)
  1. Residency Reclassification Request form
  2. Documents showing legal ties to Florida must include at least two of the following:
    • A Florida voter’s registration card.
    • A Florida driver's license or State identification card
    • A State of Florida identification card
    • A Florida vehicle registration
    • A Florida professional or occupational license.
    • Florida incorporation
  3. Documents showing physical presence in Florida must include at least one of the following (more documents may be requested):
    • Proof of purchase of a permanent home in Florida for which there is a Homestead exemption
    • A declaration of domicile in Florida filed with the County Clerk at least 12 months prior to the semester.
    • Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida for at least 30 hours per week for a 12-month period
    • Any other documentation that supports the student’s request for resident status, including, but not limited to, utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments; or an official state, federal, or court document evidencing legal ties to Florida.
    • Most current Tax Return or W2  
  • Additional documentation, other than what is prescribed, may be requested in some cases. All documentation provided is subject to verification. Evidence of ties to another state may result in the denial of Florida residency for tuition purposes.
If my Family owns a house/condominium in Florida, can I be considered a resident for tuition purposes?
Homeownership does not automatically qualify you for Florida residency for tuition purposes. Residence in Florida must be as a bona fide domicile rather than for the purpose of maintaining a residence incident to enrollment at an institution of higher education. Owning property in Florida, while residing in another state, will not of its own merit meet residency requirements.
What if I lived in or attended a school in Florida in the past?
To be considered a "Florida Resident for Tuition Purposes" you must prove through official and/or legal documents that you or the claimant have established bona fide domicile in the state of Florida for at least 12 months preceding the first day of classes of the semester for which Florida residency is sought. You do not receive credit for any time that you spent in the state in prior years.
I recently graduated from a Florida HS but I and/or my parents are undocumented, how do I prove residency?
If you are a Florida high school graduate unable to produce the documentation required for standard residency review because you are an undocumented student, a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) student, or a student who is a US citizen with undocumented parents, you may be eligible for an out-of-state tuition fee waiver or Florida residency by providing different documentation. For more information, please email ugresidency@fau.edu or call 561-297-3040.
I’m a College of Medicine student, what are my deadlines for residency reclassification?
 

Medical Year 1

Medical Year 2 Medical Year 3 Medical Year 4
Semester 1 Initial Classification July 1 March 15 March 15
Semester 2 December 1 December 1 September 15 September 15

For more information regarding Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Initial Classification click here.
What are the deadlines for submission?
Initial Residency Degree-Seeking Deadline Initial Residency Non-Degree Deadline Reclassification Deadline
Spring 2024: January 12, 2024 Semester of enrollment Spring 2024: Friday, January 5, 2024
Summer 2024: May 17, 2024   Summer 2024: Friday, May 10, 2024
Fall 2024: August 23, 2024   Fall 2024: Friday, August 16, 2024

 

What are the Reclassification requirements?
To qualify as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, the claimant (person claiming residency for the student; may be a parent, spouse, legal guardian, or the student themselves) must have established and maintained legal residence and physical presence in Florida for at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes of the term for which Florida residency is being sought. The law allows U.S. citizens, permanent resident aliens, or legal aliens granted indefinite stay by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to be classified as a Florida residents if the applicant, or the claimant in cases where the student is dependent, has met the requirement of residency in the state for at least 12 months preceding the first day of classes. Persons who do not meet the following requirements may be classified as a Florida residents only if they fall within one of the special categories as noted in Section 1009.21, Florida Statutes
How do I determine if I’m a dependent student or an independent student?

If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you will be classified as an independent student for the determination of residency for tuition purposes (documentation proving independent status will be required):

  • Will you be 24 years old or older by the first day of classes for the term for which you wish to enroll at FAU?
  • At the beginning of the school year will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
  • As of today, are you married? ( Answer "yes" if you are separated but not divorced.)
  • Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
  • Do you have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you?
  • Are both of your parents deceased, or are you (or were you until age 18 ) a ward or dependent of the court or state?
  • Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
  • Do you provide a minimum of 51% of your own support? (Documents such as tax returns, W-2 forms, pay stubs, and employer earning verification will be required. Please see the Proving Financial Independence Section)
How do I prove financial independence?
  • If you feel you qualify as an independent student because you provide a minimum of 51% of your own support, you must prove that you are self-supporting (especially true for those who are under the age of 24). Based on the Florida Resident (off-campus) cost of attendance, it will be determined whether the student meets the requirements for being considered financially independent for the purposes of establishing residency for tuition purposes. The 51% minimum is reviewed and updated no less than one year prior to the start of each Fall semester and remains in effect for the subsequent Spring and Summer semesters. Admissions staff will evaluate each student's independence eligibility based on the number of credit hours enrolled, the number of full-time hours worked, federal income tax return information for the student and parent(s), student income, and other factors. 
  • In order for the student to prove that they provide at least 51% of their own support, the following information below is required:  
  • Proof of the student's declared income documents:  

Option 1 

Option 2 

Option 3 

  • Copy of Claimant’s IRS 1099 (Required) 
  • Notarized Employment Letter or Copy of Florida Incorporation (Required) 
  • Copy of parent's most recent federal income tax transcript. (Required) (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript  

Option 4 

Who is my “claimant”?

A claimant is a person who is providing evidence of the establishment of permanent legal residence in Florida.

For independent students*, the claimant is the student. Documentation substantiating independent status will be required. (Please see the Proving Financial Independence Section )

For dependent students*, the claimant can be the student's parent, legal guardian (as appointed by the court, court decree required), spouse (marriage certificate required), or in rare cases, an adult relative. ( Please see the "Special Categories" section for more information)

*A dependent student is presumed to be a legal resident of the same state as their parent(s).

What do I need to provide to prove my claim for Initial Florida Residency?
  • Every student who wishes to be evaluated for Florida residency for tuition purposes must submit a residency affidavit and appropriate documentation through the Residency portal https://owlres.fau.edu. This is done after your admissions application has been accepted and must be done every time a student is accepted under a new application. If a student does not submit the affidavit and supporting documentation for Florida residency for tuition purposes within his or her initial semester of attendance, the student will need to apply for residency reclassification. This will require the student to show clear and convincing documentation that supports permanent legal residency in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the semester for which reclassification is being requested, rather than temporary residency for the purpose of pursuing an education. Reclassification requires more documentation than initial classification and cannot be retroactively applied. The basic requirements for initial classification will require the claimant to provide documentation proving both legal ties and physical presence in the state of Florida. Documents must be dated or have been issued at least 12 months before the first day of the semester for which Florida residency is sought. The claimant must demonstrate the establishment of a bona fide domicile in Florida and the absence of legal ties to another state. No single document is conclusive.

  • Documents showing legal ties to Florida: (at least 2 documents from this list)
    • Florida driver's license or State identification card
    • Florida voter's registration card
    • Florida vehicle registration
    • Florida vehicle title
    • Florida professional or occupational license
    • Proof active Florida corporation
    • Benefit histories from Florida agencies or Public assistance programs
  • Documents showing physical presence in Florida:
    • Lease agreement
    • Twelve consecutive months of utility bills and proof of payments
    • Declaration of Domicile
    • Proof of purchase of a permanent home in Florida for which there is a Homestead exemption
    • Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida for at least 12 months
How do I submit a Residency Appeal after being denied classification as a Florida resident for tuition purposes?

If you are denied classification as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, you may appeal the decision to the Residency Appeals Committee. Students should submit the residency appeal form found at https://www.fau.edu/registrar/documents/100589-residency-classification-appeal.pdf, along with a personal statement and any documents not previously submitted, to resappeals@fau.edu. Once the appeal has been received, the Committee will obtain the entire residency file for review.

The Residency Appeals Committee meets once a month to review and render decisions on the appeals that have been presented. After the meeting, decision letters will be sent to students with appeals. The decision of the Committee will be the final decision of the University.

Please be aware that residency officers within the Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions, and Registrar’s offices will not be able to provide students with information regarding the Committee’s decisions.

 

Important things to know about establishing Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes

  • A student who comes to Florida to enroll full-time in a state institution of higher learning as an out-of-state resident and continuously enrolls will not normally meet the Florida residency requirements for in-state tuition regardless of the length of time enrolled.
  • Simply living in the state of Florida for a 12 month period or longer and or attending school in Florida does not automatically result in qualification for in-state residency.
  • To qualify as a resident for tuition purposes you must be a U.S citizen, permanent resident alien, a legal alien granted indefinite stay by the INS, or qualify under one the of the special categories outlined on the Residency Classification form.
  • Documents supporting a student's claim for Florida residency must be dated, issued or filed at least 12 months before the first day of the semester for which residency is being sought.
  • Students who are dependent on out-of-state parents are presumed to be legal residents of the same state as their parents.
  • Residence in the state of Florida must be for the purpose of establishing a permanent home and not merely incident to enrollment at an institution of higher education.
  • A marriage license / certificate is required in all cases where a spouse is claiming residency on their partner's behalf.
  • Leases and employment verification show physical presence only. Additional information is required to show legal ties to the state of Florida in order to qualify for residency.
  • Retaining legal ties to any state other than Florida is considered evidence that can disqualify a student from being considered as a bona fide resident of Florida. Example: having a license from another state is considered a legal tie to a state other than Florida.