Step 1: Residency Classification

A resident for tuition purposes is someone who maintained legal residence in Florida and has established two legal ties to the state for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for which enrollment is requested. First time students at Pensacola State College will be required to submit two proofs of residency as covered in Step 3. Returning Pensacola State College students who have not attended within the last 12 months will be required to submit two proofs of residency. Alabama residents meeting residency criteria for their state may qualify for Florida tuition plus a differential.

Reclassification: A student who has attended PSC within the last 12 months and is classified as a non-Florida resident (currently paying out-of-state tuition) and wishes to be classified as a resident for tuition purposes, must provide a minimum of three documents proving residency as suggested in Step 3, complete a Residence Statement for Reclassification form, and submit all documentation to the Student Records Office. Phone: (850) 484-1600; FAX: (850) 484-1829 For additional information, please call the Admissions Office at (850) 484-2544.

Step 2: Residency Classification

Prior to completing the Residence Statement section of the application, you must determine who is the CLAIMANT. If you submit your own documentation for residency as an independent student, you are the CLAIMANT. If you are under 24 and do not meet the criteria listed below, your parent or legal guardian submits documentation for residency and he/she is the CLAIMANT. This list will help you determine who is the CLAIMANT:

Independent Student (residency based on student):

If you are at least 24 years of age by the first day of classes of your first term, you are considered independent and you will be the CLAIMANT for residency. You will need to provide proof of legal residency as covered in Step 3.

Students who are under the age of 24, but meet one of the criteria below are considered independent and will be the CLAIMANT

  • The student is married. Copy of marriage license required
  • The student can provide documentation that he/she claimed independence under the federal income tax code and that he/she earned at least 51% of the cost of attendance as determined by PSC’s Financial Aid Office. Copy of your most recent IRS tax transcript or federal income tax return required.
  • The student is on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces. Official military documentation or DD214 required.
  • Both of the student’s parents are deceased or the student is, or was until age 18, a ward/dependent of the court. Copy of court documents required.

Dependent Student (residency based on parent/legal guardian):

If you are under the age of 24 and do not meet any of the criteria listed above, you will be classified as a dependent and your parent or legal guardian will be the CLAIMANT. Your parent/legal guardian will need to provide proof of residency as covered in Step 3. Legal guardians must document court-appointed guardianship.

Non-U.S. Citizens

In order to qualify as a resident for tuition purposes, you must be a lawful permanent resident alien, legal alien granted indefinite stay by Homeland Security, or must possess an approved Visa Category. (documentation required) For additional information contact an admissions office on any campus or visit http://www.floridashines.org/.

Step 3: Residency Documentation

A resident for tuition purposes is a person who has established and maintained permanent legal residence in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes rather than maintaining temporary residency for the sole purpose of enrollment at an institution of higher education. Documents must be submitted with dates that evidence physical presence in Florida during the 12-month period prior to the first day of class. Additionally, there must be no information contradicting the applicant’s claim of residency (i.e. a driver’s license from another state). Living in Florida in itself will not establish legal residency for tuition purposes. Students depending upon out-of-state parents for support are considered residents of the same state as their parents.

Alabama residents residents meeting the residence criteria for their state may qualify for Florida tuition plus a differential.

Two of the following documents (or at least three in the case of reclassification) issued at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes are required.

At least one of the documents must be from Tier One. If the claimant does not have two items from the Tier 1 list, he or she may present one document from both lists— Tier 1 (required) and Tier 2

Tier One

  • A Florida driver’s license
  • A State of Florida identification card
  • A Florida vehicle registration
  • A Florida voter’s registration card
  • Proof of purchase of a permanent Florida home which is occupied as a primary residence by the claimant (copy of mortgage, deed, proof from property appraiser website, or Homestead Exemption is required)
  • Transcripts from a Florida high school for multiple years (2 or more) if the Florida high school diploma or GED was earned within the last 12 months
  • Proof of permanent full-time employment in Florida  for at least 30 hours per week documenting that the claim-ant has been employed for the past 12 consecutive months. (Signed letter from employer on letterhead stating the dates of employment, average number of hours worked per week, and contact name and phone number required.)

Tier Two

  • A Florida professional or occupational license
  • Florida incorporation
  • A document evidencing family ties in Florida family member will need to provide 2 Florida legal ties
  • Proof of membership in a Florida-based charitable or professional organization
  • Documentation that supports the student’s request for resident status including but not limited to, utility bills, and lease agreements and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments; or an official state, federal, or court document evidencing legal ties to Florida.
  • A Declaration of Domicile in Florida filed with Clerk of Court 12 months or more prior to the first day of classes

Unacceptable documents that cannot be used:

  • Passport
  • Social Security Card
  • Hunting/Fishing Licenses
  • Shopping/Rental Club Card
  • Concealed Weapon/Gun Permit
  • Invalid/Expired Documentation
  • Tax Returns
  • Library Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • Bank Statements
  • Insurance Cards
  • Cable and cell phone bills

To read the entire statute, state rule, and guidelines, including exceptions to the 12-month rule, please go to Florida Virtual Campus, www.flvc.org. Residency information is listed under the “Apply” tab.

Residency FAQs

Why do I have to provide documentation proving my residence in Florida?

Florida Statutes 1009.21(3)(b)(c) state that residency for tuition purposes must be verified by submitting two or more documents to determine residency in this state for a minimum of 12 consecutive months prior to a student’s initial enrollment. Acceptable documents include a Florida driver’s license, vehicle registration, or voter’s registration. Here is a comprehensive guide to the Florida Residency Guidelines and a list of acceptable documentation. If you are a registered voter, but do not have your voter’s registration card, please go to the Supervisor of Elections website for your county to get your number and original issue date. For additional information regarding residency requirements, please contact our admissions office at (850) 484-2544.

If I am under 24, but I live on my own, do I still have to provide my parent’s information for residency?

Florida law defines a dependent child as any person, whether living with his or her parent, who is eligible to be claimed by his or her parent as a dependent under the federal income tax code. When a student is under the age of 24, they are often still eligible to be claimed by their parents on taxes. They must either base residency on a parent or prove that they are independent. Students will be considered independent if they are:

  • Married (Marriage License)
  • Active or prior military (DD214)
  • Ward of the state (Paperwork from Department of Children & Families)
  • Parents are deceased (Death Certificates)
  • Have children or other dependents who receive more than half of their support from the student (Tax Transcript)
  • Have an income that exceeds 51% of the cost of attendance. This amount is defined by the institution each year. (Tax Transcript)

If I am under 24, do not live with my biological parents, but live with an adult relative or step parent who supports me financially, can I use their information for residency?

Yes. Florida law defines a “parent” as either or both parents of a student, any guardian of a student, or any person in a parental relationship to the student. The dependent student must be eligible to be claimed by the “parent” under the federal income tax code. In addition to submitting two (2) documents evidencing legal ties in Florida for 12 consecutive months, your relative or step parent would need to submit documentation such as income tax returns to prove you are listed as their dependent.

Will I have to pay out-of-state tuition if I live in Alabama?

We offer a reduced tuition rate for Alabama residents who can provide documentation showing their residence in Alabama for 12 consecutive months prior to the start of initial enrollment. Copies of all documentation may be submitted to the Admissions Office via email, askus@pensacolastate.edu, or fax, (850) 484-1913.

What if I am an active duty member of the Armed Services in the U.S., am I eligible for in-state tuition?

If you are an active duty member of the Armed Services currently stationed in Florida, you may be granted Florida tuition. Provide a copy of your orders to Florida and your Military ID. Spouses and dependent children are also eligible for in-state tuition based on the sponsor’s orders and student’s military ID.

If you are an active duty member of the Armed Services stationed in a location other than Florida, but have maintained Florida as your Home of Record, you may also qualify for in-state tuition. You must provide a copy of your Leave and Earnings Statement and orders to your current station as documentation.

What if I have two acceptable documents evidencing residence in Florida but my driver’s license is from a state other than Florida or Alabama?

Florida law requires clear and convincing documentation that residency in this state was for a minimum of 12 consecutive months prior to a student’s initial enrollment. To be clear and convincing there must be no conflicting evidence for the student’s claim of residency. Maintaining an out of state license, or other ties such as a voter or vehicle registration is conflicting evidence and must be relinquished prior to your consideration as a Florida resident for tuition purposes.

Is there other documentation I can provide besides my driver’s license and vehicle or voter registration?

Yes, please view the list of acceptable documentation to prove residency for tuition purposes. For initial classification, you must have at least two documents proving residency for 12 consecutive months prior to the start of classes. One of those documents must be a Tier One document.

What if I have a lease agreement and bills in my name for 12 months?

Lease and bills are acceptable Tier Two documents. You must have at least one Tier One document and then your lease agreement or utilities (electric, water, gas) and proof of 12 months of payments may be used as a second tie.

Can I use my fishing license?

No. Tax returns, hunting and fishing licenses, gun licenses, birth certificates, passports, social security cards, expired documents, library cards, bank statements, proof of insurance and cell phone bills are not acceptable forms of documentation for residency purposes.

If I enroll in classes as a nonresident for tuition purposes and am currently paying out-of-state tuition, when can I qualify for in-state tuition and how would I change my residency status?

An individual may become eligible for reclassification as a resident for tuition purposes only if that individual presents clear and convincing documentation that supports permanent legal residency in this state for 12 consecutive months rather than temporary residence for the purposes of pursuing an education. The individual may become eligible by presenting a minimum of three (3) documents found in the Residency Guidelines. One of the three documents must come from Tier 1. Contact the Admissions Office at 850-484-2544 or through AskUs@pensacolastate.edu for information on how to apply for reclassification.

Can I get in-state tuition if I am married to a spouse who is a Florida resident, even though I have not lived in the state for 12 consecutive months?

Yes. As long as your spouse is a legal resident of Florida and has documentation proving residence for 12 consecutive months prior to the start of classes. Florida law states that an individual who is classified as a non-resident for tuition purposes and who marries a legal resident of the state may become eligible for reclassification by submitting proof of his/her legal residency, evidence of his/her marriage to a legal resident, and evidence of his/her spouse’s legal residence in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the beginning of classes. The individual does not have to satisfy the requisite 12-month qualifying period.

What can I do if I want to appeal my residency classification?

Applicants may submit an appeal and supporting documentation to Pensacola State College’s Residency Appeal Committee. Please contact the Admissions Office at (850) 484-2544 for more information on how to submit an appeal.

What if I am a veteran of the U.S. Military, am I eligible for in-state tuition?

Qualified veterans may be eligible for in-state tuition regardless of their residence status for tuition purposes. Veterans classified as out-of-state for tuition purposes should contact the Veterans Services Office on campus for a list of required documentation and how to apply for the out-of-state waiver.