What is Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes?

• Initial Residency Classification Degree-Seeking
• Initial Residency Classification Non-Degree
• Residency Reclassification

• Required documents (all supporting documents must reflect 12 consecutive months prior to the start of the requested term)

1. Residency Reclassification Request form
2. Documents showing legal ties to Florida must include at least two of the following:
   
   • A Florida voter’s registration card.
   • A Florida driver's license or State identification card
   • A State of Florida identification card
   • A Florida vehicle registration
   • A Florida professional or occupational license.
   • Florida incorporation
     
3. Documents showing physical presence in Florida must include at least one of the following (more documents may be requested):
   
   • Proof of purchase of a permanent home in Florida for which there is a Homestead exemption
   • A declaration of domicile in Florida filed with the County Clerk at least 12 months prior to the semester.
   • Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida for at least 30 hours per week for a 12-month period
   • Any other documentation that supports the student’s request for resident status, including, but not limited to, utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments; or an official state, federal, or court document evidencing legal ties to Florida.
   • Most current Tax Return or W2  

• Additional documentation, other than what is prescribed, may be requested in some cases. All documentation provided is subject to verification. Evidence of ties to another state may result in the denial of Florida residency for tuition purposes.

If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you will be classified as an independent student for the determination of residency for tuition purposes (documentation proving independent status will be required):

• Will you be 24 years old or older by the first day of classes for the term for which you wish to enroll at FAU?
• At the beginning of the school year will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
• As of today, are you married? ( Answer "yes" if you are separated but not divorced.)
• Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
• Do you have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you?
• Are both of your parents deceased, or are you (or were you until age 18 ) a ward or dependent of the court or state?
• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
• Do you provide a minimum of 51% of your own support? (Documents such as tax returns, W-2 forms, pay stubs, and employer earning verification will be required. Please see the Proving Financial Independence Section)

• If you feel you qualify as an independent student because you provide a minimum of 51% of your own support, you must prove that you are self-supporting (especially true for those who are under the age of 24). Based on the Florida Resident (off-campus) cost of attendance, it will be determined whether the student meets the requirements for being considered financially independent for the purposes of establishing residency for tuition purposes. The 51% minimum is reviewed and updated no less than one year prior to the start of each Fall semester and remains in effect for the subsequent Spring and Summer semesters. Admissions staff will evaluate each student's independence eligibility based on the number of credit hours enrolled, the number of full-time hours worked, federal income tax return information for the student and parent(s), student income, and other factors. 
• In order for the student to prove that they provide at least 51% of their own support, the following information below is required:  
• Proof of the student's declared income documents:  

A claimant is a person who is providing evidence of the establishment of permanent legal residence in Florida.

For independent students*, the claimant is the student. Documentation substantiating independent status will be required. (Please see the Proving Financial Independence Section )

For dependent students*, the claimant can be the student's parent, legal guardian (as appointed by the court, court decree required), spouse (marriage certificate required), or in rare cases, an adult relative. ( Please see the "Special Categories" section for more information)

*A dependent student is presumed to be a legal resident of the same state as their parent(s).

• Every student who wishes to be evaluated for Florida residency for tuition purposes must submit a residency affidavit and appropriate documentation through the Residency portal http://owlres.babycatcher.net. This is done after your admissions application has been accepted and must be done every time a student is accepted under a new application. If a student does not submit the affidavit and supporting documentation for Florida residency for tuition purposes within his or her initial semester of attendance, the student will need to apply for residency reclassification. This will require the student to show clear and convincing documentation that supports permanent legal residency in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the semester for which reclassification is being requested, rather than temporary residency for the purpose of pursuing an education. Reclassification requires more documentation than initial classification and cannot be retroactively applied. The basic requirements for initial classification will require the claimant to provide documentation proving both legal ties and physical presence in the state of Florida. Documents must be dated or have been issued at least 12 months before the first day of the semester for which Florida residency is sought. The claimant must demonstrate the establishment of a bona fide domicile in Florida and the absence of legal ties to another state. No single document is conclusive.

• Documents showing legal ties to Florida: (at least 2 documents from this list)
  • Florida driver's license or State identification card
  • Florida voter's registration card
  • Florida vehicle registration
  • Florida vehicle title
  • Florida professional or occupational license
  • Proof active Florida corporation
  • Benefit histories from Florida agencies or Public assistance programs
• Documents showing physical presence in Florida:
  • Lease agreement
  • Twelve consecutive months of utility bills and proof of payments
  • Declaration of Domicile
  • Proof of purchase of a permanent home in Florida for which there is a Homestead exemption
  • Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida for at least 12 months

If you are denied classification as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, you may appeal the decision to the Residency Appeals Committee. Students should submit the residency appeal form found at http://vup.babycatcher.net/registrar/documents/100589-residency-classification-appeal.pdf, along with a personal statement and any documents not previously submitted, to resappeals@babycatcher.net. Once the appeal has been received, the Committee will obtain the entire residency file for review.

The Residency Appeals Committee meets once a month to review and render decisions on the appeals that have been presented. After the meeting, decision letters will be sent to students with appeals. The decision of the Committee will be the final decision of the University.

Please be aware that residency officers within the Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions, and Registrar’s offices will not be able to provide students with information regarding the Committee’s decisions.