Residency Reclassification

Overview

A student who is classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes may request to be reclassified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes. To be eligible for reclassification, the student or the claimant on behalf of the student must present clear and convincing documentation that supports permanent legal residence in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the term requested, rather than temporary residency for the purpose of pursuing an education. Requests for change in residency status for tuition purposes are processed according to Florida Statute 1009.21, as clarified in the Florida Postsecondary Residency Guidelines for Florida State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.044.

Living in or attending school in Florida will not, in itself, establish legal residence. Students who depend upon out-of state parents for support are presumed to be legal residents of the same state as their parents. Residency for tuition purposes requires the establishment of legal ties to the state of Florida. The student or claimant must verify that they have broken ties to other states.

To request residency reclassification, students must submit the following documents:

1. Florida Residency Reclassification for Tuition Purposes Form, completed in all sections and signed.
2. Typed statement written by the student explaining purpose for moving to the state of Florida, including details of intent to maintain a permanent residence in Florida for reasons other than pursuing an education.
3. A minimum of three documents from Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 (below) that establish the claimant's physical presence in the state of Florida for the 12 months prior to the first day of the requested term, as well as permanent residency in the state for reasons other than education. At least one document must come from Tier 1.
4. Proof of eligible status or visa category if student and/or claimant are not US citizens (contact the Office of the Registrar for assistance).
5. Documentation to prove dependency status and/or relationship to claimant, if applicable (instructions on Residency Reclassification form).

Residency reclassification requests must be submitted at least one business day prior to the first day of the semester/term for which residency reclassification is sought. A student requesting residency reclassification for a mini-term cannot have been enrolled in the parent term of that session. Residency reclassification will not be applied retroactively.

It is the student's responsibility to pay fees due by the fees due date noted on the student's schedule. Fees will be adjusted to in-state only if a residency reclassification request is approved.

Complete residency reclassification packets should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar, on the Northwest Campus, Building R, room 112, either in person, via postal mail or email to: residencyreclassification@sfcollege.edu.

Decision and Appeals

The Residency Reclassification Committee reviews complete submissions approximately twice per month. The committee will make a decision based on documentation received and it's compliance with Florida State Statue and Florida Administrative Code. No single document will be conclusive. Residency Reclassification decisions will only be released through the college's official notification system.

Students have the right to appeal a denied decision within 10 business days from the date of the notification. Appeals will be considered by the Residency and Waiver Appeals Committee. The appeal must include a new typed statement and any additional documentation the student wants the committee to consider. Appeals are also submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

Additional Information

• No single document will be conclusive. The burden of proof is on the student to provide clear and convincing evidence that documents permanent legal residency in the state for at least 12 consecutive months, rather than temporary residency for the purpose of pursuing an education.
• Students who do not submit a Residency Declaration form and begin taking classes paying out-of-state fees must go through the residency reclassification process in order to pay the reduced Florida tuition rate for subsequent terms, if approved.
• To qualify as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, the student and claimant (if not the student) must be a: U.S. citizen, foreign national in a nonimmigrant visa classification that grants the person the legal ability to establish and maintain a bona fide domicile in the U.S., a permanent resident alien, parolee, asylee, Cuban-Haitian entrant, or other qualified alien. Eligible visa categories: A, E, G, H-1B, H-1C, I, K, L, N, NATO 1-7, O-1, R, S, T, U, and V.
• The following documents cannot be used to prove Florida residency:
  • Birth certificate
  • Auto insurance
  • Passport Medical bills
  • Library card
  • Bank statements
  • Social Security card
  • Standard mail
  • Gym membership
  • Hunting/fishing license
  • Shopping club/Rental card
  • Cell phone/cable statements

For further information, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 352-395-5443 or visit the office on the Northwest Campus, Building R, room 112.