Residency requirements are established by Florida Statutes and the Florida Department of Education administrative code, not
USF. There is a difference between being a “Florida resident” and a “Florida resident for tuition purposes” pursuant to Florida
Statutes. Residing in Florida for a year or longer or maintaining Florida documents for 12 months does not automatically qualify
a claimant as a Florida resident for tuition purposes. To be considered a “Florida Resident for Tuition Purposes,” the claimant has
the burden of proof, through the submission of official and/or legal documents, that there are sufficient permanent ties to Florida,
and when the student is the claimant that enrollment at USF is “incidental.” If the student is the claimant, he/she will not normally
meet this requirement once they are consecutively enrolled at USF. Students may not use relatives other than parents, legal
guardians or spouses to declare Florida residency, except under very specific circumstances.
Students may apply for residency for tuition purposes for any term; however, the documentation provided will determine when and
if the claimant is qualified. Florida residency for tuition purposes determinations are based on multiple criteria, including: arrival in
Florida; documentation with established permanent ties to Florida; identity of claimant; if the claimant is a student; domicile;
the status of the claimant (independent/dependent) during the qualifying period; and the duration the claimant can demonstrate
they have lived in Florida while not attending school unless they meet an exception. Eligible documentation must support 12 months
prior to the first day of classes for the term requested unless the claimant meets an exception.
All claimants must show proof of a bona fide domicile, rather than a mere temporary residence incidental to a student’s enrollment
in an institution of higher education, particularly during the requisite 12-month qualifying period. The claimant must support where
they reside full-time; USF affiliated housing and temporary housing will not qualify as a bona fide domicile. Owning a home in Florida
does not in itself establish residency for tuition purposes.
USF does not solicit any particular documentation to prove residency. However, all documents must support the claimant’s physical
presence in Florida and a bona fide domicile. There must be an absence of any documents representing legal ties to any other country
or state during the qualifying period. Official and or legal documents establishing Florida residency are listed in this residency request
form. No single document will qualify a claimant for residency for tuition purposes. Determinations are made based on multiple
variables stated in this residency request form.
A claimant under age 24 who claims to be “independent” and is not married must demonstrate that he/she is financially and legally
independent from any out-of-state residency through documents requested in this residency request form. Financial “independence”
is only one aspect of the residency request process – meeting the minimum income requirement and documentation does
not guarantee that a claimant will qualify for Florida residency.
I, the undersigned, hereby declare that I have read the foregoing document and that the facts stated in it are true and further affirm
the authenticity of the information provided on all pages of this Residency Declaration. I understand that any false or misleading
information on this Residency Declaration, or provided in support of this Residency Declaration, will subject me to penalties pursuant
to section 837.06, Florida Statutes, for making a false statement. I give permission for the institution to review or examine all documents
and records, including those accessible electronically, which may assist in support of my status as a Florida resident for tuition purposes.
I understand that this residency request form will be reviewed and cross-checked with information in my student permanent record
for the term requested and that I will be informed of a decision once all documentation is received and reviewed. The process may
take up to four weeks for processing. If approved, my status will be updated; if denied, I have the option to appeal and have the
decision reviewed by the USF Residency Appeals Committee by submitting a written request or apply for residency for tuition
purposes for any subsequent term. I understand that the Committee’s decision is final. I understand that while this list addresses
significant and common criteria that relate to residency for tuition purposes, it is not exhaustive.
This residency request for tuition purposes form and all additional documentation must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar
no later than the last day of classes during the initial term at USF. There are no exceptions to this mandated deadline. Requests
received after the published deadline are considered only for future terms. Tuition will be assessed at the non-resident rate for that
term. Until a decision has been made, the student should consider themselves a non-Florida resident. It is the student’s responsibility
to adhere to all fee payment deadlines for the term. If approved for in-state residency after payment is made, the student will be
refunded the out-of-state portion of fees.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Student signature Date
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Claimant signature Date
Residency Declaration: The person claiming residency must read and initial that you acknowledge the following points:
Non-Degree Seeking Initial Residency
For Tuition Purposes Request
Tampa Campus
4202 E. Fowler Ave., SVC 1034
Tampa, FL 33620
St. Petersburg Campus
140 7th Avenue S., BAY 102
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Sarasota-Manatee Campus
6350 N. Tamiami Trail, SMC C107
Sarasota, FL 34243
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