Students who are eligible for exemptions are not required to pay standard tuition and fees associated with the course for which they have enrolled. These exemptions apply only to tuition and fees, and students will be responsible for other applicable charges, including course materials and travel expenses associated with study abroad.
Students Experiencing Homeless Exemption
In accordance with Florida Statutes 1009.25 and 409.1452, students who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in these statutes are exempt from the payment of tuition and fees, including lab fees and fees associated with enrollment in applied academics for adult education instruction.
- To petition for the Students Experiencing Homelessness Exemption, students must submit a Florida Student Homelessness Verification for Tuition and Fees Exemption Purposes Form (Form FSH-1) to the Answer Center (First Stop on the Downtown Campus). Once the Answer Center determines and verifies eligibility, the exemption will be applied to the student’s account for the appropriate tuition and fees charges.
- This document will be maintained as part of the official student record.
- There is no age limit to use this exemption.
- After the initial verification and processing of documentation, students do not need to submit documentation for subsequent academic terms unless the student’s circumstances have changed, the institution receives conflicting information regarding a change in the student’s independence status; or if the student reenrolls after discontinuing enrollment for twelve (12) consecutive months or more.
- The documentation is only to be used by the individual student whose name is listed on the document. It is not transferrable to other family members.
- Students will be notified via their Atlas email account of the approval or denial of the exemption.
- A staff member will reach out to students via their Atlas email account to offer on-campus support and student success resources.
- If a student no longer qualifies for the Students Experiencing Homeless Exemption, he or she is required to meet the Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes reclassification criteria for in-state tuition. This criteria can be found at https://catalog.valenciacollege.edu/admissions/floridaresidency/.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, Section 725 Exemption
In accordance with Florida Statute 1009.25 (1) (e), students who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in this statute are exempt from the payment of tuition and fees, including lab fees and fees associated with enrollment in applied academics for adult education instruction.
- High school graduating seniors who enroll in the fall term immediately following high school graduation may provide McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, section 725 documentation from their high school liaison to the Answer Center (First Stop on the Downtown Campus). Once the Answer Center determines and verifies eligibility, the exemption will be applied to the student’s account for the appropriate tuition and fees charges.
- This document will be maintained as part of the official student record.
- Documentation must be from the current school year.
- After the initial verification and processing of documentation, students do not need to submit documentation for subsequent academic terms unless the student’s circumstances have changed, the institution receives conflicting information regarding a change in the student’s independence status; or if the student reenrolls after discontinuing enrollment for twelve (12) consecutive months or more.
- The documentation is only to be used by the individual student whose name is listed on the document. It is not transferrable to other family members.
- Students will be notified via their Atlas email account of the approval or denial of the exemption.
- A staff member will reach out to students via their Atlas email account to offer on-campus support and student success resources.
- If a student no longer qualifies for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, Section 725 Exemption, he or she is required to meet the Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes reclassification criteria for in-state tuition. This criteria can be found at https://catalog.valenciacollege.edu/admissions/floridaresidency/.
Department of Children and Family Services Exemption (Relative Caregiver /Adoption/Foster Care)
In accordance with Florida Statute 1009.25 (1) (c) and 409.1452, students who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in these statutes are exempt from the payment of tuition and fees, including lab fees and fees associated with enrollment in applied academics for adult education instruction.
- To petition for the Department of Children and Family (DCF) Services Exemption, students must submit a Department of Children and Families (DCF) Tuition and Fee Exemption Form (Form CF-FSP 5220) for verification to the Answer Center (First Stop on the Downtown Campus). Once the Answer Center determines and verifies eligibility, the exemption will be applied to the student’s account for the appropriate tuition and fees charges.
- This document will be maintained as part of the official student record.
- The exemption remains valid until the student reaches 28 years of age. If a student’s 28th birthday falls prior to the first day of the term, the exemption is no longer valid.
- The documentation is only to be used by the individual student whose name is listed on the document. It is not transferrable to other family members.
- Students will be notified via their Atlas email account of the approval or denial of the exemption.
- A staff member will reach out to students via their Atlas email account to offer on-campus support and student success resources.
For questions regarding the above exemptions, please contact the Valencia College liaison: Joe Sarrubbo, Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Services, (407) 582-2586, jsarrubbo@valenciacollege.edu.
Space Available Waivers
Registration under any of the course waivers is limited to “space availability” and will only be allowed after the date listed in the Important Dates and Deadlines Calendar in the online official catalog. Internship and independent study classes are excluded from these waivers. If you register for the course prior to the allowed registration period, or given a capacity override, you will not be eligible to use any space available waiver for the course, even if the course is dropped from your record.
It is the responsibility of the individual requesting these waivers to complete Valencia’s Application for Admission and pay the non-refundable and non-transferable application fee prior to registering for classes.
Refer to sections below for specific qualifications and restrictions related to these waivers.
Senior Citizens Waiver
Students who are classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes age 60 years or older are eligible for Valencia’s tuition waiver up to a maximum of 6 credit hours per term. The waiver includes tuition and standard course fees. Any special fee or distance learning fee associated with a course will be the responsibility of the individual requesting the waiver. Registration using this waiver is limited to "audit" only; classes may not be taken for grades or academic credit. To use the Senior Citizens Waiver, the senior citizen must register and on the day of registration visit a campus Business Office with documentation of age (such as a driver’s license) and a completed Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver/Certification Form in order to receive the waiver. All special fees and distance learning fees must be paid at this time.
State Employee Waiver
Full-time employees of the executive, legislative or judicial branch of Florida’s government are eligible for a State Employee Waiver as defined in Florida Statute 1009.265(5). Employees of state universities are not eligible for this benefit. Eligible employees may have tuition and course fees waived for a maximum of 6 credit hours per term. To use the waiver, the state employee must register for classes, then visit any campus Business Office to provide eligibility verification from their State employer in order to receive the waiver.
Classroom Teacher Employee Waiver
Full-time classroom teachers, as defined in Florida Statute 1001.02(2)(a), employed by a school district are eligible for a Classroom Teacher Employee Waiver. Such courses are limited to undergraduate courses related to special education, mathematics, or science as established in the Course Prefix Listing Approved for the Teacher Waiver approved by the Florida Department of Education. In accordance with Florida Statute 1009.26(10), the waiver may not be used for courses scheduled during the school district’s regular school day. Eligible employees may have tuition and course fees waived for a maximum of 6 credit hours per term. To use the Classroom Teacher waiver, a classroom teacher must register for the specially designated classes, then visit any campus Business Office with a completed Authorization for Classroom Teacher Tuition Waiver form to provide eligibility verification from your employer in order to receive the waiver.
Note: If you register for the course prior to the allowed registration period, you will not be eligible to use the waiver for the course, even if the course is dropped from your record.
