Basic Provision
The law allows U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent residents to be classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes if the applicant or the dependent applicant's parent/legal guardian has been a legal resident of the State for at least 12 months preceding the first day of classes of the term for which Florida residency is sought.

 Physical Presence
It is important to note that living or attending school in Florida is not tantamount to establishing a legal residence for tuition purposes. Maintaining a legal residence in Florida requires substantial physical presence as a condition. However, absolute physical presence is not required. For example, a person may take vacations out-of-state without altering his/her residency status. Additionally, a person may go out of the country and remain eligible so long as legal ties and requisite intent with Florida are maintained. Finally, in some circumstances, a person may leave Florida to work or attend school temporarily in another state and still remain eligible for residency. Eligibility in these circumstances depends on the extent to which the absentee Florida resident maintains Florida legal ties and does not establish ties with another state.

 Requisite Intent
As provided by Section 1009.21(2)(a)2, F.S., it is imperative that the required 12 month qualifying period be for the purpose of maintaining a bona fide domicile rather than for the purpose of maintaining a mere temporary residence or abode incident to enrollment in an institution of higher education.

The student who comes to Florida to enroll in a Florida postsecondary educational institution as an out-of-state resident and continuously enrolls in a Florida institution will not normally meet the Florida residency requirement for in-state tuition regardless of the length of time enrolled.

For the purposes of determining residency for tuition purposes, continuous enrollment shall be defined as enrollment in at least two terms each 12-month period beginning with the student's first enrollment in a community college or university.

DEPENDENT / INDEPENDENT
A copy of the student's most recent tax return or other documentation may be requested to establish dependence/independence.

Florida Residency is determined by the respective Offices of Admissions when you apply to the university. Failure to provide all relevant information and required documentation in the residency section of the admission application will result in a non-Florida or "out-of-state" resident classification for tuition purposes.

You have until the first day of your first term at FIU to contact the Office of Admission and request re-evaluation of your residency status, if you have additional documentation not submitted previously. However, we strongly recommend that you submit all supportive residency documentation needed as soon as possible.  This will affect your Financial Aid and may affect your eligibility to be considered for scholarship.

Once you have initially enrolled at FIU, any request for reclassification of your residency status will need to be made through the Registrar's Office at either campus.

Initial Classification

University Park Campus Office of Undergraduate Admissions Location: PC 140 305-348-2363

Biscayne Bay Campus Office of Undergraduate Admissions Location: AC1 Room 150 305-919-5760

Reclassification

University Park Campus Office of the University Registrar Location: PC 130 305-348-2320

Biscayne Bay Campus Enrollment Center Location: AC1 Room 100 305-919-5752

Non Degree Students

University Park Campus Office of the University Registrar Location: PC 130 305-348-2320

Biscayne Bay Campus Enrollment Center Location: AC1 Room 100 305-919-5752