Florida Residency

How to Qualify

Florida statute requires the claimant to be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien (hold a green card), or legal alien granted indefinite stay by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to claim in-state residency. Students and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required for in-state status. The claimant must have established and maintained a legal Florida residence for at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which in-state status is sought. In other words, if a student is applying for the Fall term, the documents submitted to complete the Florida residency review must be issued at least one year prior to the Fall term's start date.

In-state status is only for those residents who reside in the state permanently with established legal domicile in Florida. Permanent Florida residency is demonstrated by the absence of ties to any other state and establishment of a bona fide domicile in Florida. An out-of-state permanent address on pertinent records can result in an out-of-state classification as it indicates established ties to another state.

Students may qualify for Florida residency status through dependence, independence, or an exception.

For residency purposes a student is considered...

DEPENDENT if under the age of 24 and not a graduate student

INDEPENDENT if age 24 or older OR a graduate student OR under the age of 24 and can claim independence by the proof of a marriage license, proof of a dependent, or proof of financial independence.