In accordance with S1009.21 Florida Statutes,
Rules 6A-10.044 and 6A-20.003,
Florida Administrative Code, and the Board of
Governors Residency Regulation, the
Office of the Registrar is required to adhere to
specific procedures in making determinations for
residency reclassification for students who were
initially classified as non-Florida.
The burden of proof is on the applicant to
present clear and convincing documentation that supports permanent legal residency in this state for at least 12 months rather than temporary residency for the purpose of pursuing an education.
(Things You Need to Know About Residency
Reclassification)
-
Living in Florida for a year or longer
DOES NOT automatically qualify you for
in-state tuition (Florida residency).
- Under Florida law, there is a difference
between being a “Florida Resident” and being
a “Florida Resident for Tuition Purposes”.
- To be considered a “Florida Resident for
Tuition Purposes”, you must prove
through official and/or legal documents that
you have moved to Florida permanently and
are not merely living in Florida temporarily
while you attend UWF.
- Despite the length of time you attend UWF,
you may not qualify for “Florida Residency
for Tuition Purposes”.
- An applicant may not be eligible for reclassification as a resident for tuition purposes, unless the applicant (or parent/legal guardian if claiming dependent status; or spouse if claiming marital status) presents clear and convincing documentation that supports permanent legal residency in this state for at least 12 consecutive months rather than temporary residency for the purpose of pursuing an education, such as:
- Non-enrollment at an institution of higher education (i.e. UWF) for the prior 12 month qualifying period (if claiming independent status) and,
- Full-time permanent employment for the prior 12 months and,
- Proof of a permanent home in Florida which has been occupied as a primary residence for the prior 12 months and,
- Establishment and maintenance of legal ties (i.e. Florida driver's license, vehicle registration, voter registration) for the prior 12 months
OR
- Non-enrollment at an institution of higher education (i.e. UWF) for the prior 12 month qualifying period (if claiming independent status) and,
- Purchase of a home in this state and residence therein for the prior 12 months and,
- Establishment and maintenance of legal ties (i.e. Florida driver's license, vehicle registration, voter registration) for the prior 12 months
OR
- Sufficient documentation demonstrating the establishment of a permanent residence prior to application and enrollment (may include, but not limited to):
- Establishment (and subsequent maintenance) of Florida legal ties (i.e. driver's license, vehicle registration, voter registration) prior to application and enrollment
- Establishment (and subsequent maintenance) of permanent Florida employment prior to application and enrollment
- Establishment (and subsequent maintenance) of permanent Florida home prior to application and enrollment
- Less than full-time enrollment during 12 month qualifying period
- Establishment (and subsequent maintenance) of specialized medical treatment in Florida prior to application and enrollment
- Establishment (and subsequent maintenance) of Florida disability benefits prior to application and enrollment
- Discharge from active duty military service (Florida as state of legal residence) and subsequent immediate move to Florida prior to application and enrollment
- Full-time permanent employment is defined as consecutive employment in a permanent job for a minimum of 12 months prior to the semester of qualification (minimum of thirty
hours a week). Permanent employment is not defined as a series of temporary jobs.
-
All supporting documents (for example: driver’s license, vehicle registration, voter registration card) MUST be dated 12 complete months prior to the first day of classes for the requested semester (and term) of reclassification.
- The Registrar’s Office cannot consider
personal justifications for documents not
meeting the 12-month requirement. For
example: “I have one now, but I did not get
a driver’s license when I moved here a year
ago because…” CANNOT be considered.
- University
dormitories, fraternities, sororities,
scholarship houses, and other UWF campus
addresses are not considered permanent
addresses for residency purposes.
- A permanent home in Florida is evidenced by the applicant's (parent/legal guardian if claiming dependent status; spouse if claiming marital status) name being reflected on the lease/rental agreement and utility bills (if renting) or on the deed/mortgage statement and utility bills (if homeowner). If the applicant's name is not reflected on these documents, then the home is considered a temporary domicile. Residence in someone else's home (i.e. boyfriend/girlfriend, fiance/fiancee, friend, etc.) does not constitute a permanent residence. Additional supporting documentation may be required.
-
Ties to another state or country will
disqualify you from Residency
Reclassification.
-
Evidence that you are the financial
dependent of an out-of-state resident will
disqualify you from Residency
Reclassification.
A student who has been classified as a
"non-resident for tuition purposes" at the
time of initial application to the
University and wishes to be considered for
reclassification as a "Florida resident for
tuition purposes" for a subsequent semester, shall file a "Request for
Change of Residency Status" form, with
copies of supporting documentation as requested
therein (see Documentation page) to the Registrar's Office either in person (Building 18) or by mail to: Registrar's Office, UWF, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 31514-5750. Copies of the Request form (and other
associated forms) are available from the
Office of the Registrar or you may print a .pdf
version of these forms listed below (as applicable).
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING
A RESIDENCY RECLASSIFICATION REQUEST IS ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE
FIRST DAY OF CLASSES FOR THE APPLICABLE TERM OF THE SEMESTER IN
QUESTION.
The University of West Florida uses e-mail as the official method
of notification regarding the review process. Please ensure
that you have activated your UWF e-mail account (i.e. jrd1@students.uwf.edu)
for purposes of receiving important information related to your
request.