Residency FAQs

With very few exceptions, a dependent student is considered to be a legal resident of the same state as the student's parents.

To qualify for in-state status for tuition purposes, the parent of the dependent student must complete the Residency Affidavit or the Residency Reclassification Application on behalf of the student. (Please note: requests for Residency Reclassification may require documentation beyond that listed here.)

The Parent must Provide Evidence to Substantiate:

1. Legal ties to the state of Florida – A minimum of two documents dated/issued at least 12 months before the first day of the semester for which Florida residency is sought must be provided. No single document is conclusive.
   
   Moreover, the parent must also demonstrate the absence of legal ties to another state and establishment of a bona fide domicile in Florida (rather than maintaining a temporary residence incident to enrollment at the university). Continued legal ties to another state contradict establishment of Florida domicile.
   
   
   • Florida driver's license
   • Florida vehicle registration
   • Florida vehicle title
   • Florida voter's registration
   • Declaration of domicile
   • Proof of purchase of a permanent home in Florida
   • Florida occupation/professional license
   • Florida incorporation or other evidence of legal residence in Florida
2. Proof of the student's dependent status may be required
   
   
   • A copy of the parent’s most recent federal income tax return indicating that you claimed the student as a dependent, or
   • A notarized letter indicating that the parent provides a minimum of 51% of the student’s support.

To be considered independent for the tuition purposes, the following criteria will be considered:

• The student is 24 years of age prior to the start of the term for which residency is sought;
• The student is married;
• The student has dependent children who receive more than half of their support from the student;
• The student provides a minimum of 51% of his/her own support;
• The students is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or is currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training;
• The student is classified as “independent” by the UNF financial aid office.

Independent students must document the source of their financial support, clearly demonstrating that a parent or legal guardian no longer claims them as a dependent for federal income tax purposes. (Please note: requests for Residency Reclassification may require documentation beyond that listed here.)
The student must provide evidence to substantiate a claim to in-state residency by completing the Residency Affidavit or the Residency Reclassification Application and Affidavit with:

1. Legal ties to the state of Florida – A minimum of two documents dated/issued at least 12 months before the first day of the semester for which Florida residency is sought must be submitted. No single document is conclusive.
   
   
   • Florida Driver's License
   • Florida vehicle registration
   • Florida vehicle title
   • Florida voter's registration
   • Declaration of domicile
   • Proof of purchase of a permanent home in Florida
   • Florida occupational/professional license
   • Florida incorporation or other evidence of legal residence

In addition, the student must also produce evidence of ...

1. No legal ties to another state and
2. An established, bona fide domicile in Florida (rather than maintaining a temporary residence incident to enrollment at the university). Continued legal ties with another state contradict establishment of Florida domicile.
3. Proof of physical presence – Independent students must demonstrate that they have maintained a residence in the state of Florida for the domicile year (previous 12 months) associated with the term of entry to UF or the request for reclassification.
4. Physical presence can be documented by:
   
   • Continuous enrollment at the university for the past three terms,
     Or for periods of non-enrollment --
   • Leases, rent receipts and utility bills in the student’s name
   • Proof of employment
5. Financial independence – Independent students must also prove that they are financially self-supporting.

When the initial request or the request for residency reclassification is evaluated, university staff will estimate the student’s expenses for the domicile year. These estimates are based on cost of attendance figures used for financial aid eligibility. The estimate is specific to the student and it is dependent on number of hours enrolled, place of residence (on-campus or off-campus) and other circumstances.

The student must conclusively document that they have provided at least 51% of these expenses. Financial independence can be substantiated with:

• A copy of the parents' most recent tax return indicating that the student was not claimed as a dependent, and
• Proof of income greater than or equal to 51% of the estimated expenses.

Income can include:

• Earned wages for the past 12 months, documented with federal income tax returns, W-2’s and pay stubs. (Earned wages must be declared for consideration; tips and other earnings not reported to the IRS cannot be considered.)
• Scholarships received in the past 12 months. (A copy of the award letter is required).

Monetary gifts, personal loans or financial support in the form of room, board or other expenses from the student’s parents, other relatives, a significant other or friends demonstrates that the student lacks independence and is financially dependent upon others. In such cases, the student is NOT considered independent.

The documents you need will depend on whether you are establishing initial residency or submitting a request for residency reclassification and whether you are considered a dependent or independent student. Documentary evidence with dates that evidence the 12 month qualifying period will be required for all residency requests.

For initial classification two forms of identification dated at least 2 forms of approved identification, issued at least 12 months prior to the beginning of the term for which residency is sought. For a list of IDs approved as Documentary Evidence, please click here.

The evidentiary requirement for residency reclassification goes beyond that for initial classification, because the student has previously been determined to be an out-of-state resident. For residency reclassification the student, or his or her parent if a dependent student, must present documentation substantiating residency in the state of Florida for the purpose of marinating bona fide domicile, rather than for the purpose of maintaining temporary residence incident to enrollment at an institution of higher education. For examples of evidence that may substantiate bona fide domicile, please click here.

Non-parent family members who have legal guardianship of a student who is not yet 18, and/or have claimed the student on federal income taxes for the past 5 years, may be used as claimant on the initial residency classification form or the request for residency reclassification application.

If the non-parent family member does not meet these criteria, he or she cannot be considered a claim to residency. Students who do not meet the criteria to be considered independent for residency purposes will be considered residents of the state in which their parent or legal guardian are considered residents.

It is important to note that living or attending school in Florida is not tantamount to establishing legal residence for tuition purposes. The applicant or claimant must still present acceptable proof of legal Florida residency prior to the start of the semester to be assessed in-state fees.

To be considered a “Florida Resident for tuition purposes” you must prove through official and/or legal documents that you or the claimant have established bona fide domicile in the state of Florida at least 12 months prior to the start of the term for which you seek in-state status.

 No. Living near the state of Florida does not grant the student residency for tuition purposes or provide any discounted rate of tuition.

However, active duty military personnel and their dependents stationed within 50 miles of the Florida border may claim residency based on the official military orders. Official documentation is subject to evaluation and verification.

A signed letter from the employer, on letterhead, must provide proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida, for at least 30 hours a week for at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the term which residency is sought. If the claimant held more than one job during this time frame, a letter from each employer will be accepted for review. Additionally, paycheck or other payroll reports demonstrating the sufficient number of hours and the sufficient 12-month time period may be submitted for review.

Remember, a letter of employment may only serve as one form of Florida ID. Additional documentation will be required to substantiate the residency claim.

If an applicant qualifies for a statutory residency exception or qualification, then appropriate documentation must be submitted to evidence entitlement to that exception or qualification. Such evidence is generally specific to the type of residency exception or qualification being claimed by the applicant.

If an applicant does not qualify for a statutory residency exception or qualification and is not an “All-Florida” student, they will have to submit documentation that they (or a parent or legal guardian if a dependent) has been a Florida resident for at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for which the student is enrolling. At least two of the following documents must be submitted, with dates that evidence the 12-month qualifying period. At least one of the documents must be from the First Tier. As some evidence is more persuasive than others, more than two may be requested. No single piece of documentation will be considered conclusive. Additionally, there must be an absence of information that contradicts the applicant’s claim of residency.

First Tier (at least one of the two documents submitted must be from this list)

• Florida Driver's license (if known to be held in another state previously, must have relinquished) OR a State of Florida identification card (if evidence of no ties to another state)
• Florida voter registration card
• Florida vehicle registration
• Declaration of domicile in Florida (12 months from the date the document was sworn and subscribed as noted by the Clerk of Circuit Court)
• Proof of purchase of a permanent home in Florida that is occupied as a primary residence of the claimant
• Transcripts from a Florida high school for multiple years (if Florida high school diploma or GED was earned within last 12 months)
• Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida (one or more jobs for at least 30 hours per week for a 12-month period)
• Benefit histories from Florida agencies or public assistance programs
  
  

Second Tier (may be used in conjunction with one document from First Tier)

• A Florida professional or occupational license
• Florida incorporation
• Documents evidencing family ties in Florida
• Proof of membership in Florida-based charitable or professional organizations
• Any other documentation that supports the student's request for resident status
  Examples of “other” documentation:
  • Utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments
  • Lease agreement and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments
  • State or court documents evidencing legal ties to Florida

Unacceptable Documents (may not be used)

• Hunting/fishing licenses
• Library cards
• Shopping club/rental cards
• Birth certificate
• Passport
  
  

The evidentiary requirement for reclassification goes beyond that for an initial classification, because these individuals have previously been determined to be out-of-state residents. An individual who is initially classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes may become eligible for reclassification as a resident for tuition purposes only if that individual, or his or her parent if that individual is a dependent child, supports permanent residency in this state for 12 consecutive months. The individual, or his or her parent if that individual is a dependent child, must present documentation that substantiates residency in this state for the purpose of maintaining a bona fide domicile, rather than for the purpose of maintaining a mere temporary residence or abode incident to enrollment in an institution of higher education.

Therefore, the burden of proof is on the student to show: (1) residency in Florida for the requisite 12-month period; and (2) residency in the state was not merely temporary or incident to enrolling in a college or university located in Florida. Documentation for meeting the first requirement of reclassification is the same as for initial classification. Additional evidence or documentation may be required for meeting the second requirement of reclassification. Examples of evidence that may substantiate residency in this state for the purpose of maintaining a bona fide domicile may include:

• Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent) is not enrolled full time in a Florida higher education institution during the previous 12 months.
• Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent) has maintained a full-time permanent job in Florida during the previous 12 months. Full-time employment is considered one or more permanent jobs for a minimum of 30 hours a week.
• Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent) was transferred to a full-time permanent job in Florida prior to initial enrollment as confirmed on corporate or organizational letterhead.
• Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent) has an immediate relative (i.e., parent or child) who is currently living in Florida and who has resided in this state for the previous 12 months.
• Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent) has purchased a home in Florida as primary residence (evidenced by a homestead exemption) prior to initial enrollment.
• Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent) has received a military discharge and established residency in Florida prior to initial enrollment.
• Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent) received social service benefits (e.g., disability) from the State of Florida during the previous 12 months.
• Student (or parent/legal guardian if dependent) lost their house or other domicile in another state due to severe natural disaster or crisis resulting in a state of emergency (e.g., hurricane or earthquake) that occurred prior to initial enrollment.