Florida Residency Overview
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 produce any requested documents prior to the end of his or her first semester, that student will be responsible any out-of-state tuition charged.
Florida Legislature recently updated Florida Statute 1009.21. For updated information, please review here. Please see the-Definitions for clarity.
Initial Classification (Classification during entry term)
New or Returning Undergraduate Students
If you are a new, degree-seeking undergraduate student or if you are a returning FAU student who was required to re-apply to the University, your initial residency classification will be determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Your residency affidavit and required documentation should be submitted through FAU's secure residency portal. For additional information or assistance with the online portal, undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate of Admissions at ugresidency@fau.edu or 561.297.3040.
The deadlines for submitting the Residency Form with appropriate documentation are:
New or Returning Undergraduate Students Deadlines
| Summer 2023 | May 19, 2023 |
| Fall 2023 | August 25, 2023 |
| Spring 2024 | January 12, 2024 |
Please Note:
Failure to finalize the classification process with Undergraduate Admissions prior to the last day of classes in your initial semester will result in you being responsible for out-of-state fees. You will also be required to undergo the reclassification process to receive Florida residency for tuition purposes in future semesters.
In-State Tuition Requirements for Select Immigrant Florida HS Graduates
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.
New or Returning Graduate Students
If you are a new, degree-seeking graduate student or if you are a returning FAU graduate student who was required to re-apply to the University, your initial residency classification will be determined by the Graduate College. Your residency affidavit and required documentation should be submitted through FAU's secure residency portal. For additional information or assistance with the online portal, graduate students should contact the Office of Graduate College at gcresidency@fau.edu or 561-297-1380.
The deadlines for submitting the Residency Form with appropriate documentation are:
New or Returning Graduate Students Deadlines
| Summer 2023 | May 19, 2023 |
| Fall 2023 | August 25, 2023 |
| Spring 2024 | January 12, 2024 |
Please Note:
Failure to finalize the classification process with Graduate Admissions prior to the last day of classes in your initial semester will result in you being responsible for out-of-state fees. You will also be required to undergo the reclassification process to receive Florida residency for tuition purposes in future semesters.
Non-Degree Students
If you wish to take courses for enrichment or as pre-requisites for a particular degree, you will complete the Non-Degree Seeking application at https://nondegree.fau.edu. After submitting your application, a registration hold will be placed on your record for residency verification. You must then submit your residency information through FAU's secure residency portal. Specific instructions will be sent to you upon submitting your non-degree application.
Reclassifying your Florida Residency Status
(To change residency after first semester of attendance)
If you were initially classified as non-Florida resident for tuition purposes, you may later become eligible for reclassification as a resident for tuition purposes. Reclassification requires you or your parent/legal guardian to present clear and convincing documentation that supports permanent legal residence in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months, rather than temporary residence for the purpose of pursuing an education.
Reclassification documents should be submitted prior to the start of the semester for which you are requesting reclassification (see deadlines below). Students should aware that simply submitting documents will not guarantee that your residency status will change.
The residency reclassification process can take several weeks, depending on your individual situation and the availability of requested documents. Most students requesting reclassification will be required to supply multiple sets of documents. If you have any questions regarding the residency reclassification process, please send inquiries to residencyreclass@fau.edu.
Important Things to Know about Reclassifying Your Residency for Tuition Purposes
- It is possible to be both a legal resident of Florida and a nonresident for tuition purposes concurrently. Simply living in or attending school in Florida will not establish legal residence for tuition purposes.
- Living 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 student who comes to Florida to enroll in a state institution of higher learning as an out-of-state resident and remains enrolled will not normally meet the Florida residency requirements for in-state tuition regardless of the length of time enrolled.
- To qualify as a resident for tuition purposes you must be a U.S citizen, permanent resident alien, have a qualifying visa as listed at here or fall under one of the exemptions listed on the residency declaration.
- 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.
- Undergraduate students under the age of 24 are considered dependent unless the student (1) works at least 30 hours a week; (2) is married; (3) has a child that he/she supports; or (4) is in the military.
- Graduate students, while automatically considered to be independent, must still show that they are in Florida for reasons other than education, which usually requires them to be employed outside of the University.
- A marriage certificate is required in all cases where a spouse is claiming residency on their partner's behalf.
- 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.
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 form. The form and all related documents must be uploaded to our secure portal at https://owlfiles.fau.edu/files/reg. If you would like a list of the documents needed, please feel free to email residencyreclass@fau.edu.
The deadlines for submitting the Residency Reclassification Form with appropriate documentation are:
Undergraduate and Graduate Students Deadlines
| Summer | April 30 |
| Fall | August 15 |
| Spring | December 31 |
Medical Students Deadlines
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |
| Medical Year 1 | Initial Classification | December 1 |
| Medical Year 2 | July 1 | December 1 |
| Medical Year 3 | March 15 | September 15 |
| Medical Year 4 | March 15 | September 15 |
Residency Classification Appeals
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 here , 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.