University of South Florida

Residency Information

New Florida residency legislation was amended during the 2009 legislative session and has taken effect as of July 1, 2009 (statute # 1009.21). This legislation is applicable to graduate students (US citizens and resident aliens) who wish to classify as Florida residents for tuition paying purposes. View a copy of the amended section of law (see lines 248-457).

It is important to note that any graduate student's students who were previously classified as Florida residents, WILL NOT be affected by this new law.

Graduate students who wish to reclassify to Florida residency after residing in Florida for at least one year, should carefully read the information posted on the USF Registrar's website to determine if they are eligible for reclassification (www.registrar.usf.edu/Residency).

Applicants desiring classification as Florida residents for tuition paying purposes must sign and complete the Florida Residents section of the Florida Residency Classification page of the Graduate Application. Incomplete or unsigned forms will be classified as non-Florida residents. The Office of Graduate Admissions will classify applicants as Florida residents if they have provided documentation that verifies they began living in Florida at least twelve months prior to the first day of classes of their admitted term of entry. Additional documentation other than what is required may be requested in some cases. All documentation is subject to verification. The student is responsible for checking their residency classification when admitted to the University of South Florida. The residency classification is noted on the official acceptance letter. If the student feels that their initial classification is in error, they have until the last day of the term to contact the appropriate admissions office and request a re-evaluation. After the student has completed their first semester of study they may seek to have their residency reconsidered. They may submit a Request for Reclassification Form with the Office of the Registrar. This must be filed by the 5th day of classes for the term being requested.

Independent Student:
A student who meets any one of the following criteria shall be classified as an independent student for the determination of residency for tuition purposes:
1. The student is 24 years of age or older by the first day of classes of the term for which residency status is sought at a Florida institution;
2. The student is married;
3. The student has children who receive more than half of their support from the student;
4. The student has other dependents who live with and receive more than half of their support from the student;
5. The student is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or is currently serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces for purposes other than training;
6. Both of the student’s parents are deceased or the student is or was (until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court;
7. The student is working on a master’s or doctoral degree during the term for which residency status is sought at a Florida institution; or
8. The student is classified as an independent by the financial aid office at the institution.

Evidence that the student meets one of these criteria will be requested by the higher education institution.

Florida residency statutes require at least two documents, dated 12 months prior to the first day of class for the entry term sought, to validate a claim for Florida residency for tuition purposes. Documents are classified in two tiers – at least one of the required documents must be from the First Tier.

FIRST TIER DOCUMENTATION (at least one of the two documents submitted must be from this list)

1. Florida Driver’s License (driver’s licenses from others states must be relinquished) or a State of Florida ID card (if there is no evidence of ties to another state)
2. Florida Voter’s Registration card
3. Florida Vehicle Registration (proof of previous registration can be obtained from the local tag office)
4. Declaration of Domicile in Florida (12 months from the date the document was sworn and subscribed as noted by the Clerk of the Circuit Court)
5. Proof of purchase of a permanent home in Florida that is occupied as a primary residence of the claimant
6. Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida (one or more jobs for at least 30 hours per week for a 12-month period – letter from employer on official letterhead required)
7. Benefit histories from Florida agencies or public assistance programs

SECOND TIER DOCUMENTATION (may be used in conjunction with one document from First Tier)

1. Florida professional or occupational license
2. Florida incorporation
3. Proof of membership in Florida-based charitable or professional organizations
4. Utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments
5. Lease agreement and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments
6. State or court documents evidencing legal ties to Florida

Other Useful Links:

Academic Common Market Information http://www.sreb.org/programs/acm/acmindex.asp

Florida Residency Classification Form

USF Registrar’s General Classification Procedures http://www.registrar.usf.edu/Residency/General_Procedures.php