oneColumn
The Nesting Place at UNF
The UNF Dean of Students Office is home to our Nesting Place program. The Nesting Place program supports students who have experienced resource insecurity, homelessness, or have been involved with DCF (foster, adoption system). The Dean of Students Office works closely with students who may qualify to ensure they are getting the support they need to be successful, both academically and personally.
Within the Nesting Place, students:
- Have access to Dean of Students support services;
- Have access to key contact staff within Housing & Residence Life, Financial Aid, etc.;
- Have access to our Nesting Place pantry, filled with snacks, toiletries, cleaning supplies, household items, school supplies, etc. thanks to our generous donors; and
- Are eligible to receive scholarships specifically endowed for Nesting Place students to assist with the cost of attendance, meal plans, and/or graduation regalia
Florida Legislation – Student Exemptions
2025 Florida Board of Governors 7.008 Waivers and Exemptions of Tuition and Fees
(h) Florida Department of Children and Families - Each university board of trustees shall exempt from the payment of tuition and associated fees, including lab fees, any student who was the subject of a shelter proceeding, a dependency proceeding, or a termination of parental rights proceeding, and:
1. Is, or was at the time he or she reached the age of 18, in out-of-home care;
2. Is, or was at the time he or she reached 18 years of age, in the custody of a relative or nonrelative pursuant to section 39.5085 or section 39.6225, Florida Statutes;
3. After spending at least 6 months in the custody of the Department of Children and Families after reaching 16 years of age, was placed in a guardianship by the court;
4. After reaching 14 years of age and therefore spending at least 18 months in out-of-home care, was reunited with his or her parent or parents who were the subject of the dependency proceeding before he or she reaches 18 years of age, including a student who is reunited under section 39.8155. For a student to be eligible under this subparagraph, the student must be Pell Grant-eligible, and the entity imposing the tuition and fees must verify such eligibility;
5. Was adopted from the Department of Children and Families after May 5, 1997;
6. Was placed in a permanent guardianship, regardless of whether the caregiver participates or participated in the Relative Caregiver Program under section 39.5085, Florida Statutes, and remains in such guardianship until the student either reaches 18 years of age or, if before reaching 18 years of age, he or she enrolls in an eligible institution.
1. Is, or was at the time he or she reached the age of 18, in out-of-home care;
2. Is, or was at the time he or she reached 18 years of age, in the custody of a relative or nonrelative pursuant to section 39.5085 or section 39.6225, Florida Statutes;
3. After spending at least 6 months in the custody of the Department of Children and Families after reaching 16 years of age, was placed in a guardianship by the court;
4. After reaching 14 years of age and therefore spending at least 18 months in out-of-home care, was reunited with his or her parent or parents who were the subject of the dependency proceeding before he or she reaches 18 years of age, including a student who is reunited under section 39.8155. For a student to be eligible under this subparagraph, the student must be Pell Grant-eligible, and the entity imposing the tuition and fees must verify such eligibility;
5. Was adopted from the Department of Children and Families after May 5, 1997;
6. Was placed in a permanent guardianship, regardless of whether the caregiver participates or participated in the Relative Caregiver Program under section 39.5085, Florida Statutes, and remains in such guardianship until the student either reaches 18 years of age or, if before reaching 18 years of age, he or she enrolls in an eligible institution.
Any student requesting this exemption must provide certification of eligibility from the Department of Children and Families or its contracted providers to the university in which the student seeks to enroll. This exemption shall remain valid up until the time the student reaches the age of 28.
(i) Homeless Children and Youths – Each university board of trustees shall exempt from the payment of tuition and fees, including lab fees, any student who meets the definition of homeless children and youths in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. section 11434a. This includes a student who would otherwise meet the requirements of this section, as determined by a university, but for his or her residence in college or university dormitory housing. Documentation of a student’s circumstance
must be considered to be adequate if it meets the standards under 20 U.S.C. section 1087uu-2(a). A university must maintain the original documentation submitted by the student regarding his or her eligibility for the tuition and fee exemption under section 1009.25, F. S., and may not make additional requests
for such documentation. Any student who is determined to be a homeless child or youth for a preceding award year is presumed to be a homeless child or youth for each subsequent year unless the student informs the institution that the student’s circumstances have changed or the institution has specific conflicting information about the student’s independence and has informed the student of this information.
Contact Information:
Katherine Tavuzhnyanskiy | deanofstudents@unf.edu | 904.620.1491