Nesting Place Waivers

Waivers

• Resilient Ospreys

  What is a Resilient Osprey? 

  Resilient Ospreys are students who are facing resource insecurity or financial instability but are situated in regular, stable, and safe housing situations. These students still benefit from our Nesting Place Program services, including the fellowship and comraderie of fellow Nesting Place students. Our Resilient Ospreys may need a little additional support and encouragement or may be a student who previously received a Homeless Tuition Waiver or DCF waiver but are working towards independence. Our goal is to ensure these students are connected for the assistance they need so they can focus on being academically successful.

• Homeless Tuition Waiver

  What is the Homeless Fee Exemption?

  According to Florida Board of Governors 7.008:

  (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.

  How can I find out if I am eligible for the exemption? 

  If you think you may be eligible for the homeless exemption, you should speak with your Case Manager or Homeless Liaison Officer from the shelter. You are welcome to fill out a Nesting Place Application, linked, and someone from our Care Services Team will be in contact.

  What paperwork is needed to determine if I'm eligible, and when is it due? 

  To qualify, students will need to provide documentation to prove homelessness. Examples of documentation can include, but are not limited to:

  • Letter or documentation from school district homeless liaison. This is typically a McKinney-Vento document.
  • Letter or documentation from the director of an emergency or transitional shelter, street outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center, or other program serving individuals who are experiencing homelessness, or a designee of the director
  • Letter or documentation from law enforcement/lawyer
  • Letter or documentation from clergy
  • Letter or documentation from counselor/therapist/caseworker
  • Letter or documentation from another institution's financial aid administrator

  Students will also need to complete the Nesting Place Application.

  The documentation is due to the Dean of Students Office Care Services who will review the information before the end of the first week (drop/add) each semester of enrollment.  Paperwork can be submitted by email to deanofstudents@unf.edu. Students will be notified of the decision by official university email.

• Department of Children and Family Services Waivers

  For any student for whom the state is paying foster care, is a ward of the state or who is adopted from the Department of Children and Family Services after 12/31/1997, certain tuition and related fees shall be waived. They waiver can be used until the student is 28 years of age. The waiver can be used for qualified undergraduate and graduate level courses. Students who are eligible should contact their state agency to get the DCF waiver form.

  The signed form will need to be submitted no later than the payment deadline date of the first semester you attend UNF. You only need to submit it the first term you have registered for courses that have been covered by the waiver.  If you submit your waiver form but do not register for the semester, you will need to re-submit the form the next term you register.