Exceptions and Qualifications
Other persons not meeting the 12-month legal residence requirement may be classified as Florida residents for tuition purposes only if they meet the requirements of a limited special category authorized by the Florida Legislature in s. 1009.21(11), F.S. These exceptions are listed below:
1. Active duty service members of the United States armed forces stationed in or residing in Florida (spouse and dependent children included);
2. Active duty service members of the United States armed forces not stationed in Florida but whose legal state of residence certificate, the DD2058, is Florida (spouse and dependent children included);
3. Full-time instructional and administrative personnel employed by the Florida public school system, Florida college system, or Florida university system (spouse and dependent children included);
4. A dependent child who has lived with an adult relative, who is not a parent or legal guardian, for at least the three years preceding the first day of class for the term of enrollment;
5. Persons who were enrolled as Florida residents at a state institution of higher learning but who abandon Florida residency for less than one year;
6. Students from Latin America or the Caribbean who are receiving scholarships from the state or federal government;
7. United States citizens living on the Isthmus of Panama who have completed 12 consecutive months of college-level course work at the Florida State University Panama Canal Branch (spouse and dependent children included);
8. Full-time employees of state-agencies or political subdivisions of the State when the student fees are paid by the agency or subdivision for the purposes of job-related law enforcement or corrections training;
9. Qualified beneficiaries under the Florida Pre-Paid Postsecondary Expense Program as provided in Florida Statute; and
10. A dependent child whose parents are divorced, separated, or otherwise living apart, will be considered a resident for tuition purposes if either parent is a legal resident of Florida, regardless of which parent claims the minor for tax purposes.
The law allows non-citizens such as lawful permanent residents, temporary permanent residents, asylees, parolees, and refugees who have applied for and been approved for such status and who otherwise meet the twelve month legal residence requirements, to be eligible to establish Florida residency for tuition purposes. For a list of these non-immigrant categories (visa categories and INS classifications) eligible to establish Florida residence for tuition purposes, contact the Registrar’s Office or visit www.floridashines.org (click Admissions then Residency Guidelines).