2024-25 Catalog

Florida Residency

Residency Information

(College Policy: 6Hx28:8-06: Residency)

Florida Resident For Tuition Purposes

The Residency for Tuition Purposes at the bottom of this page provides details of eligibility.

https://valenciacollege.edu/residency

The burden of proof rests with you, the student, to establish and prove Florida residency. You are classified as a Florida resident and eligible to pay resident tuition and fees when you have completed the Statement of Florida Residency and provided the required supporting documentation. You may be classified as a Florida resident if you are independent (or your parent, guardian or person in a parental relationship if you are dependent) and a United States citizen, a permanent resident, or other legal status granted indefinite stay; have no legal ties to any other state; have resided and had habitation, domicile, home and permanent abode in the state of Florida for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the Full Term for which residency is being sought.

To verify your residency, you (or your parent, guardian or person in a parental relationship if you are dependent) are required to submit two of the following Tier One Florida documents: a valid driver’s license or Florida Identification Card; a valid vehicle registration; a current voter registration card; proof of purchase of a permanent home; transcript from a Florida high school showing graduation within the last 12 months or a Florida GED or score report earned within the last 12 months with a Florida High School Transcript showing two years of high school; and/or proof of permanent full-time employment. To be used, all documentation must be current and have been issued at least 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of classes of the Full Term for which residency is being sought.

If you (or your parent, guardian or person in a parental relationship if you are dependent) have only one Tier One document, you may submit that one and one of the following Tier Two documents: utility bill (with proof of payment for the previous 12 consecutive months); a Declaration of Domicile; lease agreement (with proof of payment for the previous 12 consecutive months); a Florida professional or occupational license; benefit histories from Florida agencies or public assistance programs; documents evidencing family ties; and/or proof of membership in a Florida-based charitable or professional organization. If a Declaration of Domicile is used, it must have been recorded by the Clerk of the Court at least 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of classes of the Full Term for which residency is being sought.

All documents must be submitted by the "Documentation of Florida Residency Due By This Date" deadline listed in the Important Dates and Deadlines calendar.

Non-Florida Resident for Tuition Purposes

If you do not qualify as a Florida resident, or you do not provide the necessary documentation with your application or on your residency statement, you will be charged non-resident tuition and fees.

Reclassification of Residence

If you are initially classified as a non-Florida resident, you may become eligible for reclassification as a resident – for tuition purposes only – if you (or your parent, guardian or person in a parental relationship if you are dependent) can provide documentation of establishment of a domicile in Florida for 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of classes of the Full Term for which residency is being sought. In addition, you (or your parent, guardian or person in a parental relationship if you are dependent) must provide a "Tier 1" document. In addition, you (or your parent, guardian or person in a parental relationship if you are dependent) must provide two additional forms of documentation that residency in Florida was not merely temporary or incidental to enrolling in a Florida institution. You may apply by completing the Statement of Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes Reclassification to Florida Resident Form and submitting it for reclassification prior to any registration period. Documentation must be received by the  "Documentation of Florida Residency Due By This Date" deadline listed in the Important Dates and Deadlines calendar.

If your request for reclassification and the necessary documentation are not received by mail or in the Answer Center prior to the Proof of Florida Residency Deadline as listed in the Important Dates and Deadlines calendar, your residency will be reclassified for the next available term.

NOTE: If false or fraudulent statements are submitted in connection with your documentation to establish residency, your tuition and fees will be recalculated at the non-Florida  Resident rate. Submitting false or fraudulent statements in connection with your Application for Admission may result in disciplinary action, denial of admission, and invalidation of credits or degrees earned.

Residency for Tuition Purposes

Things You Should Know About Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes

  1. Proof of residence for tuition purposes is the sole responsibility of the student.
  2. Under Florida law, there is a difference between being a Florida resident and being a Florida resident for tuition purposes.
  3. The State of Florida requires certifications of dependent and independent student status as defined by the Internal Revenue Service Income Tax Code.
    Dependent Student: If you are under age 24 and 50% or more of your support is provided by another as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, you will be classified as a dependent student. A copy of your parent’s, guardian’s or person in a parental relationship's most recent federal tax return may be required to confirm dependency.
    Independent Student: If you meet any one of the following criteria, you may be classified as an independent student:
    • You are 24 years of age or older prior to the first day of classes of the Full Term for which residency is being sought.
    • You are married. (Copy of marriage certificate required.)
    • You have a child who lives with you and receives their support from you. (Copy of most recent federal tax return listing the child as your dependent required.)
    • You have other dependents who live with you and receive their support from you. (Copy of most recent federal tax return listing the person(s) as your dependent required.)
    • You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. (Copies of military documents required.)
    • Your parents are deceased and you are, or were until age 18, a ward of the court. (Copies of court documents required.)
    • You can provide documentation that you are not claimed by your parent/legal guardian as a dependent under the federal tax code and can document that you provide at least 50% of your own support for the cost of attendance as defined by the Valencia College Office for Student Financial Assistance. (Copies of your most recent tax return required.)
  4. The parents’ and/or student’s tax return(s) may be required when establishing dependence or independence for residency purposes. Parents may make financial information ineligible. If the student and parent last names are different, proof of relationship must be provided.
  5. Living in Florida and/or attending school for a year or longer is not automatic qualification for Florida residency for tuition purposes.
  6. All supporting documents must be dated 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of classes of the Full Term for which residency is being sought.
  7. Florida statute does not provide for consideration of personal justification for documents not meeting the 12 consecutive months requirement. For example, “I have one document, but I did not get a driver license when I moved here a year ago because...”
  8. Any ties to another state such as driver license, parental support, etc., prevent the establishment of Florida residency for tuition purposes.
  9. Financial hardship cannot be considered in determining residency for tuition purposes. 

You may be classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes if you meet one of the following requirements and submit the appropriate documentation.

  1. You are an independent person, you have completed the Residency Statement, and you have maintained legal residence in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the Proof of Florida Residency Deadline listed in the Academic Calendar in the online official catalog.
  2. You are a dependent person and your parent or guardian has maintained legal residence in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the Full Term for which residency is being sought. (Attach documents if guardianship is court-appointed.)
  3. You are a dependent person and you have resided for three years with an adult relative other than your parents or guardian and your relative has maintained legal residence in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the Full Term for which residency is being sought. (Attach a notarized verification letter from the adult relative and a copy of his/her most recent federal tax return listing you as his/her dependent; the adult relative must also complete and sign the Residency Statement.)
  4. You are married to a person who has maintained legal residence in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the Full Term for which residency is being sought. You have established legal residence and intend to make Florida your permanent home. (Copy of marriage certificate required and student must provide a copy of his/her Florida Driver’s License.)
  5. A Florida public college/university declared you a resident for tuition purposes within the last twelve consecutive months. Typically, Florida residency is noted on the official transcript or the FloridaShines transient form. (Attach verification from the institution.)
  6. You were previously enrolled at a Florida state institution and classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes. You abandoned your Florida domicile less than 12 months ago and are now re-establishing Florida legal residence. (Attach verification from the institution.)
  7. You are a member of the armed services of the United States and are stationed in Florida on active military duty pursuant to military orders or your home of record is Florida, or you are the member’s spouse or dependent child. (Copy of military documents required.)
  8. You are a full-time instructional or administrative employee employed by a Florida public school, Florida college system institution, or Florida public university (or are the employee’s spouse or dependent child). (Copy of employment verification is required.)
  9. You are a full-time employee of a state agency or political subdivision of the state whose student fees are paid by the state agency or political subdivision for the purpose of job-related law enforcement or correctional training. (Letter of employment verification and eligibility required.)
  10. You are a qualified beneficiary under the terms of the Florida Pre-Paid Postsecondary Expense Program (S.240.551.F.S.). (Copy of card required.)
  11. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you have applied and been approved as a permanent resident or other legal status granted indefinite stay and have completed the Residency Statement. In addition, you have maintained domicile in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the Full Term for which residency is being sought. (USCIS documentation required.)
  12. You are a foreign national, or under age 21 and a dependent of a foreign national, with a visa that allows you the opportunity to pay Florida resident fees and you have maintained legal residence in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the Full Term for which residency is being sought. (USCIS documentation required.)
  13. You are a foreign national who has protected or deferred status or who has applied for adjustment of status or who has applied for asylum; and who has received a Notice of Action or Court Action; and who has met the requirements for Florida residency.
  14. You are part of the Latin-American/Caribbean scholarship program. (Copy of scholarship required.)
  15. You are a full-time student participating in an international linkage institute (S.240.137,F.S.). (Letter of verification required.)
  16. You are living on the Isthmus of Panama and have completed 12 consecutive months of college work at the F.S.U. Panama Canal Branch or are the student’s spouse or dependent child. (College transcript required.)

Residency Appeal

In accordance with Florida Statutes, Valencia College has established a residency appeals committee to consider student appeals of residency determinations.  In cases where the applicant expresses a desire to appeal the residency classification, the matter will be referred to the appeals committee.

The residency appeal officer or committee will convey to the applicant the final residency determination and the reasons for the determination within 20 business days. The final residency determination will be provided to the student in writing.

Students who wish to appeal the classification of residency for tuition purposes should submit a written request citing the basis for the appeal. Copies of all documentation supporting the appeal for residency reclassification should be included with the request. The request and all supporting documentation should be submitted to the nearest Valencia College Answer Center location.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Residency Information

As a result of Florida's 2014 House Bill 851, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students may be eligible to pay the in-state tuition rate if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Attended a Florida secondary school for three consecutive years immediately before graduating from a Florida high school;
  • Submits an admissions application to a Florida College System institution within 24 months of high school graduation; and
  • Submits an official high school transcript(s) that provides evidence of meeting the criteria above.

Note: Students who meet the above criteria will not be classified as a Florida Resident for Tuition Purposes but will receive a waiver of out-of-state fees so they can pay the in-state rate.