FLORIDA RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

Simply living in Florida for 12 months while attending college does not automatically grant residency for tuition purposes.

This page details Indian River State College’s process for validation of Florida residency for tuition purposes in compliance with the provisions of Florida Statute 1009.21, State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.044 and Florida State Residency Guidelines.

Who Can Qualify for Florida Resident Tuition?

To qualify, you must meet all three of the following requirements:

1. Legal Status: Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible legal alien.
2. Residency Proof: Submit a Florida Residency Declaration for Tuition Purposes (Form FRD-1) along with two documents from the lists below, proving you or your parent/guardian have lived in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months before the first day of classes.
3. Dependent vs. Independent Status:
   • If you are under 24, your parent or guardian must provide the documents.
   • If you are 24 or older, married, have a child, are a veteran, or have earned more than $7,170 in the past 12 months, you will use your own documents.

How to Apply for Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes

To qualify as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, you or your parent/guardian must submit documents proving your residency. These documents must be submitted before the first day of classes of the term for which you are applying.  The responsibility of providing clear and convincing documentation that justifies your classification as a resident for tuition purposes rests with you or your parent/guardian.

Important: Once classes begin, tuition rates (in-state or out-of-state) are final and cannot be changed for that term.

Watch this 10-minute video for a step-by-step guide on how to qualify for in-state tuition.

Required Residency Documents

To prove Florida residency, you or your parent/guardian must submit at least two documents:

Primary Documents (Tier 1) (at least one required):

• Florida voter registration card
• Florida driver license or State of Florida identification card
• Florida vehicle registration
• Proof of ownership of a permanent home in Florida as primary residence or proof of Homestead Exemption
• Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida (at least 30 hours per week for the previous 12-month period)
• Florida high school transcript showing multiple years’ enrollment and a graduation date within the previous 12 months (dependent students only)

Additional Supporting Documents (Tier 2):

• Declaration of domicile in Florida (not valid if any other housing document is being used)
• Florida professional or occupational license
• Florida incorporation under the Claimant’s name
• Proof of membership in a Florida-based charitable or professional organization
• Lease, utility bills with proof of 12 consecutive months of payments, or a notarized letter of housing

Note: Documents must be dated at least 12 months before the start of classes.

Residency Exceptions

Some students may qualify for in-state tuition even if they don’t meet the standard residency requirements. Some exceptions include:

• Dependents residing with a legal resident adult relative other than the parent/legal guardian for at least 3 years
• Students who were enrolled in a Florida public postsecondary institution and classified as a resident for tuition purposes within the last 12 months
• Active duty members of the military residing or stationed in Florida, their spouses and dependent children, and active drilling members of the Florida National Guard
• Full-time teachers and administrators employed by Florida public schools and their spouses and dependent children
• Full-time employees of state agencies whose student fees are paid by the state agency for the purpose of job-related law enforcement or corrections training
• Qualified beneficiaries of the Florida Prepaid College Program
• Students who have a Department of Children and Families Waiver

For a full list of exceptions, see the official policy section below.

Reclassifying as a Florida Resident

If you were previously classified as out-of-state but now meet residency requirements, you can apply for reclassification. To do this, you must provide THREE documents that prove Florida residency for at least 12 months before your request.

Important: Living in Florida or attending school does not automatically grant residency. Your documentation must clearly show permanent residency outside of school enrollment.

Still Have Questions?

We’re here to help and answer any of your residency questions. We use QLess so you can meet with us virtually or in person.