Academic Catalog

Residency Information

At LSSC, all students are initially classified as non‑Florida residents for tuition purposes upon acceptance or readmission to the College. In accordance withFlorida Statutes, Section (s.)1009.21 and the State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.044, every student must be classified as either a resident or non‑resident for the purpose of assessing tuition in postsecondary education. 

To be classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes and receive the reduced in‑state tuition rate, students must submit a Residency Declaration along with the required supporting documentation. 

It is important to note that simply living in Florida or attending a Florida school does not establish legal residency for tuition purposes. Students must demonstrate that they have established and maintained a legal, bona fide Florida domicile, not one created solely for the purpose of attending college. 

A Florida residence must be for the purpose of establishing a permanent home, not incidental to college enrollment.  

Students/claimants who have held ties with another state or country during the 12 months prior to the first day of class(es) are not eligible for Florida residency. Residency will be based on the surrender of all ties to the other state or country, including driver’s license, vehicle registration, and voter registration.  

Students who depend on out-of-state parents/guardians for support are presumed to be legal residents of the same state as their parents/guardians. 

Once a student is determined to qualify for in-state residency for tuition purposes, they retain that status until they are no longer an “active” student, unless the student provides information to a college official indicating they are no longer eligible.   

A student who is classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes may request to be reclassified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes to pay the reduced Florida tuition rate for subsequent semesters.  

It is the student's responsibility to pay fees due by the fee payment deadline noted on the academic calendar. Fees will be adjusted to in-state only if the student is classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes.   

Students will be notified via their Lakehawk email regarding their residency decision after their Residency Declaration and supporting documentation are submitted. 

Deadline 

The deadline to submit residency documentation is the last day of classes for the given term. After that date, residency cannot be applied to that term and cannot be applied retroactively. 

Residency Process at LSSC 

Documentation Basics

Step 1: Determine Citizenship or Immigration Status 

Florida law requires that students must be either U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the United States in order to be considered for Florida residency for tuition purposes, as outlined in Rule 6A‑10.044, F.A.C. 

To establish eligibility, students must submit documentation confirming that they are: 

  • A U.S. citizen, OR 

  • Lawfully present in the United States under a qualifying immigration category 

Acceptable proof includes: 

U.S. Citizens 

  • Birth certificate 

  • U.S. passport 

  • Certificate of Naturalization 

  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad 

Non‑U.S. Citizens 

  • Current USCIS documentation showing lawful presence 

  • Visa status permitting domicile 

  • Permanent resident card 

  • Asylee/parolee/Cuban‑Haitian entrant documentation 

Claimants (parents/spouses) do not need to provide immigration documents. 

Students who are non-U.S. citizens must submit current documentation from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services department proving their legal status in the U.S.  

Claimants are not required to provide documentation to verify their citizenship or immigration status. 
 

Step 2: Determine Dependent or Independent Status 

Dependent Student 

Under s. 1009.21(1)(a), F.S., a dependent student is someone who can be claimed as a dependent on a parent’s federal tax return, regardless of where the student lives. 

Independent Student 

A student is considered independent if they cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer under federal IRS rules. 

Who Is the Claimant? Who Submits Documents? 

Florida law requires identifying the claimant—the person responsible for proving Florida residency for tuition purposes. The claimant is the individual responsible for submitting the residency documentation. Residency eligibility for in‑state tuition is determined based on the claimant’s submitted documentation. 

  • Dependent student → the parent, spouse, or legal guardian is the claimant and must submit residency documentation  

  • Students financially supported by out‑of‑state parents are presumed to be non‑residents 

  • Independent student → the student is the claimant 

  • A student is independent if they meet any of the following:  

  • 24 years or older, OR 

  • Married, OR 

  • Active‑duty military or veteran, OR 

  • Orphan, ward of the court, or in foster care, OR 

  • Unaccompanied homeless youth, OR 

  • Parent providing more than half of their child’s support, OR 

  • Provides more than 50% of their own financial support, OR 

  • A student who is married, OR 

  • A student whose parents are deceased. 

Step 3: Submit Required Florida Residency Documents 

To prove residency, the student or claimant must submit two (2) documents, with at least one (1) from Tier 1, dated 12 months prior to the first day of classes: 

Tier 1 (At least one required) 

  • Florida driver license 

  • Florida ID card 

  • Florida voter registration 

  • Florida vehicle registration 

  • Florida homestead exemption 

  • Proof of full‑time permanent Florida employment (30+ hrs/week, not remote) 

  • Proof of permanent home in Florida (lease/mortgage + 12 months of payments) 

  • 2+ years of Florida high school transcripts (if diploma earned within last 12 months) 

Tier 2 (Supplemental) 

  • Declaration of domicile (12+ months old) 

  • Professional/occupational license 

  • Florida corporation/nonprofit membership documentation 

  • Utility bills (12+ months) 

  • Extended leases (12+ months of payments) 

  • Court/state/federal documents establishing legal ties 

Documents not accepted 

Birth certificate, passport (as proof of residency only), auto insurance, medical bills, bank statements, library card, cell phone/cable bills, club memberships, etc. 

Residency Exemptions (Under F.S. 1009.25) 

These allow a student to be classified as a resident for tuition purposes without the 12‑month requirement (documentation still required). 

Students falling under one of the approved categories include: 

  • Florida Prepaid College Program beneficiaries  

  • Documentation from DCF or a certified homeless agency  

  • In DCF custody (under 18) 

  • Were in DCF custody at age 18 

  • In custody of a relative or non‑relative under s. 39.5085 

  • Adopted from DCF after May 5, 1997 

  • Experienced homelessness 

  • Former Florida residents returning within 12 months of leaving 

  • Active‑duty U.S. Armed Services stationed/residing in Florida (and dependents) 

  • Active‑duty military within 50 miles of FL (contiguous counties) 

  • U.S. citizens on the Isthmus of Panama in FSU Panama Canal program 

  • Full‑time instructional/admin personnel at FL schools/colleges (and dependents) 

  • Latin American/Caribbean scholarship recipients (full‑time) 

  • SREB Academic Common Market graduate students 

  • State agency employees in law enforcement/corrections training 

  • McKnight Doctoral Fellows/Finalists 

  • U.S. citizens abroad teaching in DoD or American International Schools 

  • Active‑duty Canadian military in Florida under NORAD (within 50 miles) 

  • Active‑duty foreign military liaison officers in Florida (within 50 miles) 

  • Linkage Institute participants (DOE‑approved) 

Reclassification (NON‑Resident → Resident for Future Terms) 

A student who was originally classified as non‑resident may later request reclassification. 

Reclassification requires TWO (2) documents. Documents must show 12 consecutive months of Florida residency before the start of the requested term. 

Students must also provide: 

  • Proof of citizenship/lawful presence (student) 

  • Documentation verifying independent status (if claiming independence) 

  • A written explanation of why they moved to Florida and their intent to remain permanently 

Reclassification is not retroactive. 

Residency Appeal Process

Students who wish to appeal their residency decision must email the Executive Director of Recruitment and Enrollment. Your email must include: 

  • A brief explanation of why you are requesting the appeal 

  • Any additional documentation supporting your claim for Florida residency 

  • If applicable, an explanation for missing the residency deadline, and the documents you wish to submit late 

A final decision will be made within 10 business days of the receipt of the complete appeal. Students will be notified of the outcome through their Lakehawk email. 

Out-of-State Fee Waivers

Students not eligible for residency may still qualify for waivers under F.S. 1009.26: 

Florida High School Graduate Waiver

Waives out‑of‑state portion if: 

  • Attended a FL high school for 3 consecutive years, 
  • Graduated from FL high school, 
  • Applied to college within 24 months, 
  • Does NOT qualify for residency, 
  • Provides proof of citizenship/lawful presence. 

Congressman C.W. “Bill” Young Veterans Waiver

Veterans and dependents using VA benefits must: 

  • Physically reside in Florida 

  • Provide Florida ID and DD‑214 

  • Dependents also provide Certificate of Eligibility + term benefit summary

Purple Heart Waiver

Must: 

  • Be admitted to an undergrad program 

  • Be a Florida resident at time of qualifying action 

  • Submit DD‑214 showing Purple Heart or higher decoration 

⮞ Waivers apply to 110% of program credit hours.