Admission Information

Exceptions

In special cases, ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ statute provides accommodation for a student to receive classification for in-state tuition purposes when supporting documentation is submitted. A student should only request residency classification using one of these categories if they do not qualify as either an independent or a dependent student.

ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ must submit the supporting documentation along with the Residency Affidavit. All letters of verification must include a contact name and telephone number so university staff can confirm the information you provided.

Exception 1: I am married to a person who has maintained legal residence in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ for at least 12 months.

Required Documentation: Copy of marriage license, AND Residency Affidavit completed by the spouse AND two eligible residency documents.

Eligible Residency Documents: The State of ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ requires the submission of two documents which must be dated/issued at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ residency is sought. Moreover, if there is evidence of legal ties to another state, ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ residency may not be claimed. The documents submitted must include at least one proof from the list of Primary documents below. No single document shall be conclusive.

Primary Documents:

    • ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ driver's license or State Identification card
    • ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ vehicle registration
    • ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ voter's registration
    • Proof of a homestead exemption in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬
    • Proof of permanent full-time employment in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬
    • Letter on company letterhead stating that the claimant has been employed at least 30 hours per week for at least 12 months

Secondary Documents:

    • A declaration of domicile in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ (the date that an applicant shall be deemed as establishing residency for tuition purposes shall be 12 months from the date that the Clerk of Circuit Court notes the declaration)
    • A ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ professional or occupational license
    • Proof of membership in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬-based charitable or professional organizations
    • Documents evidencing a ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ incorporation
    • Proof of 12 consecutive months of payment on a water, electric, or natural gas bill OR proof of a lease agreement and 12 consecutive months of payment
    • ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ 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.

Exception 2: I am a member of the armed services of the United States and I am stationed in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ on active military duty pursuant to military orders, or my home of record is ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬, or I am a member's spouse or dependent child.

Required Documentation:

    • Copy of military orders or DD-2058 showing home of record, AND
    • For a spouse, copy of marriage license
    • For a dependent child, copy of the claimant's most recent federal income tax return indicating that the student was claimed as a dependent.

ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ 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.

Exception 3: I am a full-time instructional or administrative personnel employed by state institutions of higher education or I am their spouse or dependent child.

Required Documentation*:

    • Copy of employment contract OR letter from employer verifying employment as a full-time instructional or administrative employee, AND
    • For a spouse, copy of marriage license
    • For a dependent child, copy of the claimant's most recent federal income tax return indicating that the student was claimed as a dependent.

*Please Note: You must still show proof of ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ residency. This option is only intended to waive the 12-month requirement on your residency documents.

ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ 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.

Exception 4: I am a student from Latin America and the Caribbean who receives scholarships from the Federal or State government. I attend a ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ institution on a full time basis.

Required Documentation: Copy of scholarship award letter for the current academic year.

Note: You must also be a citizen of a Latin American or Caribbean nation receiving a scholarship award from a ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ state agency of at least $500 per academic year. Privately administered scholarships do not qualify. Reclassification as a temporary ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ resident for tuition purposes is valid only for the academic year(s) in which the scholarship is awarded.

ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ 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.

Exception 5: I am a qualified beneficiary under the terms of the ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ Pre-Paid Post-Secondary Expense Program per s.1009.988(2) (Pre-Paid ID Card Required).

Required Documentation: Copy of the front and back of your ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ pre-paid postsecondary expense card.

ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ 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.

Exception 6: I am a dependent person who has resided for five years with an adult relative other than my parent/legal guardian and my relative has maintained legal residence in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ for at least 12 months.

Required Documentation:
 Copies of your adult relative's federal income tax returns for the past five years, establishing the familial relationship and indicating that you were claimed as a dependent, AND Residency Affidavit completed by the relative AND two eligible residency documents.

Eligible Residency Documents - The State of ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ requires the submission of two documents which must be dated/issued at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ residency is sought. Moreover, if there is evidence of legal ties to another state, ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ residency may not be claimed. The documents submitted must include at least one proof from the list of Primary documents below. No single document shall be conclusive.

Primary Documents:

    • ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ driver's license or State Identification card
    • ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ vehicle registration
    • ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ voter's registration
    • Proof of a homestead exemption in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬
    • Proof of permanent full-time employment in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬
    • Letter on company letterhead stating that the claimant has been employed at least 30 hours per week for at least 12 months

Secondary Documents:

    • A declaration of domicile in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ (the date that an applicant shall be deemed as establishing residency for tuition purposes shall be 12 months from the date that the Clerk of Circuit Court notes the declaration)
    • A ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ professional or occupational license
    • Proof of membership in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬-based charitable or professional organizations
    • Documents evidencing a ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ incorporation
    • Proof of 12 consecutive months of payment on a water, electric, or natural gas bill OR proof of a lease agreement and 12 consecutive months of payment

ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ 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.

Exception 7: I was previously enrolled as a ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ resident for tuition purposes at a ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ public institution. I abandoned my ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ domicile less than 12 months ago and I am now re-establishing ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ legal residence.

Required Documentation:
 Proof that you have previously paid in-state tuition and proof that you have relinquished any and all legal ties to the state of your most recent previous residence AND that you have re-established at least two legal ties with the state of ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ as proven through the submission of the Residency Affidavit AND two eligible residency documents.

Eligible Residency Documents - The State of ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ requires the submission of two documents which must be dated/issued at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ residency is sought. Moreover, if there is evidence of legal ties to another state, ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ residency may not be claimed. The documents submitted must include at least one proof from the list of Primary documents below. No single document shall be conclusive.

Primary Documents:

    • ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ driver's license or State Identification card
    • ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ vehicle registration
    • ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ voter's registration
    • Proof of a homestead exemption in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬
    • Proof of permanent full-time employment in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬
    • Letter on company letterhead stating that the claimant has been employed at least 30 hours per week for at least 12 months

Secondary Documents:

    • A declaration of domicile in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ (the date that an applicant shall be deemed as establishing residency for tuition purposes shall be 12 months from the date that the Clerk of Circuit Court notes the declaration)
    • A ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ professional or occupational license
    • Proof of membership in ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬-based charitable or professional organizations
    • Documents evidencing a ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ incorporation
    • Proof of 12 consecutive months of payment on a water, electric, or natural gas bill OR proof of a lease agreement and 12 consecutive months of payment

You may be asked to provide evidence of previous issue dates for these items, such as a transcript from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ 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.

Exception 8: I am a United States citizen living on the Isthmus of Panama and have completed 12 consecutive months of college work at the ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ State University Panama Canal Branch or I am the student's spouse or dependent child.

Required Documentation:

    • Copy of transcript OR a letter of enrollment certification from FSU verifying enrollment at the Panama Canal Branch for the past three terms, AND
    • For a spouse, copy of marriage license
    • For a dependent child, copy of the claimant's most recent federal income tax return indicating that the student was claimed as a dependent.
    • ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ 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.

Exception 9: I am a Southern Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market graduate student attending ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬'s State University.

Required Documentation:
 A letter of certification from the state coordinator for the Southern Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market.

Exception 10: I am a full-time employee of a State agency or political subdivision of the State whose student fees are paid by the State agency or political subdivision for the purpose of job-related law enforcement or correction training.

Required Documentation:
 A letter of verification from employer indicating you are a fulltime employee of a State agency or political subdivision AND you are enrolling in courses for the purpose of job-related law enforcement or corrections training.

ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ 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.

Exception 11: I am a McKnight Fellowship recipient.

Required Documentation: 
A letter of verification from the Graduate School certifying that you are a McKnight Fellowship recipient.

ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ 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.

Exception 12: I am an active member of the ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ National Guard who qualifies under ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ Statutes s.250.10(7) and (8) for tuition assistance.

Required Documentation:
 Your Interstate Transfer Contract, NGB form 22-5-R-E, if you are an active National Guardsman who has been transferred to ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ from another state, OR Your US Armed Forces enlist/re-enlist document, DD 4/1 and 4/2, if you have left the active armed services and have entered the National Guard.

ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ 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.