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Florida Residency Request

 

Florida Residency Guidelines

To receive in-state tuition, you must complete Florida Residency Request Form and provide supporting documentation.

All students must submit the form, even if they are not Florida residents.

Review all of the information on this page to guide you as you complete the form and gather your required supporting documentation and then follow the directions for submitting.

What is residency?

Residency is the process of determining your status as a Florida resident for tuition purposes. Living in or attending school in Florida will not, in itself, establish legal residence.

The process can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help you interpret the law and find acceptable ways to demonstrate that you meet the requirements of the statute.

Failure to submit the Florida Residency Request Form may result in higher out-of-state tuition charges and paying more than four times the regular rate.

Who should submit residency?

  • If a student is dependent (under age 24), the parent or guardian must provide proof of legal residence.
  • All students must submit the Florida Residency Request Form, including those who are not Florida residents. The form includes a section for non-Florida residents to complete.
  • To be considered for in-state tuition, the Florida Residency Request Form, along with acceptable supporting documentation, must be submitted by the published deadline for the applicable term.

How do I prove my residency?

Submit Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawfully Presence Status.

At least TWO of the documents listed in the Guidelines Accordion below must be submitted, with dates that evidence the 12-month qualifying period. At least one of the documents must be from Section A. (You may provide more than one document from Section A).

As some evidence is more persuasive than others, more than two documents may be requested as we review your submission. No single piece of documentation will be considered conclusive. Additionally, there must be an absence of information that contradicts the applicant’s claim of residency.

Submit Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawfully Presence Status

New 2026 requirement: Submit documentation verifying U.S. citizenship or lawful presence.

  • U.S. Passport or Passport Card
  • Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
  • U.S. Birth Certificate: Issued by state, county, or municipal authority (not a hospital-issued certificate)
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD): Form I-766
Section A/First Tier (at least 1 of the 2 documents submitted must be from this list)
  • Florida Driver's license (if known to be held in another state previously, must have relinquished) OR a State of Florida identification card (if evidence of no ties to another state)
  • Florida voter registration
  • Florida vehicle registration
  • Proof of purchase of a permanent Florida home that is occupied as a primary residence of the claimant
  • Transcripts from a Florida high school for multiple years if the Florida high school diploma or GED® was earned within last 12 months
  • Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida (one or more jobs for at least 30 hours per week for the past 12 consecutive months)
Section B/Second Tier (may be used in conjunction with 1 document from Section A/First Tier)
  • Declaration of domicile in Florida (12 months from the date the document was sworn and subscribed as noted by the Clerk of Circuit Court)
  • A Florida professional or occupational license
  • Florida incorporation
  • Documents evidencing family ties in Florida
  • Proof of membership in Florida-based charitable or professional organizations
  • Utility bill and proof of past consecutive months of payments (Cell/mobile phones and car insurance bills cannot be used)
  • Copy of lease agreement or notarized letter from leasing agent/landlord and proof of past 12 consecutive months of payments
  • Any other document that supports the student's request for resident status, including, but not limited to an official state, federal, or court document evidencing legal ties in Florida
Unaccepted Documents

The following items are not acceptable forms of documentation to establish that one has been living in Florida for 12 months:

  • ATV or other recreational vehicles
  • Bank statements
  • Boat/Vessel or other watercrafts
  • Concealed weapons permit
  • Credit card bills
  • Hunting/fishing permit
  • Insurance Cards (auto/medical)
  • Library Card
  • Medical bills 
  • Shopping club/rental cards
  • Social Security card
  • W2 or Tax return
Determination of Dependent or Independent Status

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: Evidence that the student  meets one of these criteria must be provided.

  • The student is 24 years of age or older by the first day of classes of the term for which residency status is sought
  • The student is married
  • The student has children who receive more than half of their support from the student
  • The student has other dependents who live with and receive more than half of their support from the student
  • The student is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or is currently serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or National Guard of Reserves for purposes other than training
  • Both of the student’s parents are deceased or the student is or was (until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court
  • The student is determined an unaccompanied homeless youth by a school district homeless liaison, or by a staff member of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program

A student who does not otherwise meet one of the criteria outlined above may establish financial independence by submitting documentation demonstrating earned income equal to at least fifty (50) percent of the tuition and required fees, calculated at a flat rate based on 30 credit hours for an associate degree or bachelor's degree program. Financial aid, grants, scholarships, and other educational assistance may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

Dependent Student: All other students who do not meet the above definition of an independent student shall be classified as dependent students for the determination of residency for tuition purposes.

Appeal for Reclassification to In-State Residency

The Collegewide Residency Committee will review all requests for changes in residency.

 

A student previously classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes who wishes to request reclassification to Florida resident status must submit a new Florida Residency Request Form through the myEFSC portal and provide two supporting documents. Additional documentation may be requested to establish clear and convincing evidence of Florida residency and verify that the student has broken ties to any other state.

Out-of State Student Waivers, Including Veteran Waiver Options

Eligible students must submit a waiver form a minimum of one week prior to the fee due date for each term to the appropriate EFSC office.

How do I submit my residency information?

Complete a Florida Residency Request Form available in your myEFSC student portal.

The dynamic online form allows you to:

• Complete and submit your Florida Residency Request electronically.
• Upload your supporting residency documents directly within the form.
• Submit everything in one convenient process from home—no need to visit campus or submit documents separately.

If you have questions or need assistance completing the form, contact the Admissions Office:

• Phone: 321-433-7300
• Email: admissions@easternflorida.edu
• Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

Complete Florida Residency Request Form