Residency Classification
For purposes of tuition assessment, each Pensacola State College student will be classified as a Florida resident, an Alabama resident, or a non-Florida resident. The criteria for determining the residency status are detailed in the Florida Statutes and the administrative rules of the State Board of Education. Detailed information for residency classification is available in the Registrar’s Office and at www.floridashines.org. The Residence Statement, included in the Application for Admission, is required of every new student and any returning student who has not attended the College in twelve (12) months or more.
A Florida resident for tuition purposes is a person (or the parent or legal guardian of a person) who has established and maintained legal residence in Florida for the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which residence classification is requested. Residence in Florida must be for the purpose of establishing a permanent home and not merely incidental to enrollment at an institution of higher education.
To qualify as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, the independent student or the parent or legal guardian of a dependent student must be a United States citizen, lawful permanent resident, or certain non-citizens granted indefinite stay by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. Living in or attending school in Florida does not, in and of itself, establish legal residence. A student who depends on out-of-state parents for support is presumed to be a legal resident of the same state as his or her parents unless one parent has established legal residence in Florida for more than twelve (12) months. Documents supporting the establishment of legal residence must be dated, issued, or filed twelve (12) months before the first day of classes of the term for which Florida residence status is sought. A student cannot hold an out-of-state driver’s license, vehicle registration, etc., and be eligible for Florida residency.
Providing false residency information is a violation of Florida Law and could result in disciplinary action. The College will correct the fees assessed of any student who misrepresents his or her places of legal residence. An invoice will be issued for the increase in tuition.