Admissions

Admission Requirements 
Enrollment Procedures 
Registration Procedures 
Tuition and Fees
Financial Aid 
Frequently Asked Questions 

Tuition and Fees

Application Fee
Tuition and Fees
Waivers and Exemptions
Residency Requirements
Guidelines for Appeal of Florida Residency Classification
Other Fees
Payment
Fee Refunds
Special Programs Offering Financial Aid Tax Credits

Application Fee

An application fee is assessed when a student is initially admitted to Florida State College.

Students paying an application fee are eligible to receive a College ID card from the Campus Card Office. Financial aid students can defer the payment of the application fee until receipt of financial aid.

Dual enrolled high school students are not required to pay an application fee to enroll in dual enrolled classes. Payment is required when registering for other than dual enrolled classes or when requesting a transcript.

¹Includes certain legal immigrants and visa holders.
²(F–1) international students.

Tuition and Fees

Lower Division College Credit Course Tuition and Fees

The following tuition and fees are effective Fall Term 2010-11:

*Tuition and fees are subject to change by action of the District Board of Trustees. Current tuition and fees will be posted at the time of registration.

Most classes are 3-4 credits, so students who are residents of Florida can expect to pay about $276-368 per class. Twelve credits, which is considered a “full-time” load for a semester, cost $1,105 for Florida resident students. Figure in your book costs at about $80 per credit hour, and you are looking at a total bill of about $2,065 for a full-time semester. Certain classes that require labs may have additional fees for lab supplies. Additional fees are published in the class schedule.

Students enrolled in the same undergraduate college credit or college preparatory course more than twice shall pay course fees at the non–Florida resident tuition rates. Attempts made prior to Fall Term 1997 don’t apply.

Active Duty Military Students

Tuition and fees (excluding lab and equipment usage fees) for out of state active duty military students and qualified spouses receiving Department of Defense tuition assistance will not exceed $220 per credit hour (lower division classes only).

Upper Division Baccalaureate Degree Courses Tuition and Fees

The following tuition and fees are effective Fall Term 2010-11:

*Tuition and fees are subject to change by action of the District Board of Trustees. Current tuition and fees will be posted at the time of registration.

You can also learn more about how to pay for college by visiting our financial aid and scholarships page.

Waivers and Exemptions

The Business Office on each campus is responsible for processing tuition and fee waivers and exemptions. The following is a list of tuition waivers and exemptions available at Florida State College. Waivers are limited to certain courses and type of instruction. For additional information, contact your campus Business Office.

Dual Enrolled

Students enrolled in a class at Florida State College at Jacksonville that also counts toward high school completion do not pay tuition and fees. Dual enrolled students must pay tuition and fees if enrolling in a class that does not count toward high school completion.

Dual enrolled students are not required to pay the College’s application fee unless the student enrolls in a class that does not count toward high school completion, the student continues enrollment after graduating from high school, or the student requests an official transcript after graduating.

Exemption for tuition and fees is automatically applied and does not require the student to notify the College of eligibility.

Homeless

Homeless students may be eligible for exemption from payment of tuition and fees. The student cannot reside in adequate or fixed housing to qualify for the exemption. This definition precludes some students participating in specified Homeless Programs from qualifying if through participation in the program, adequate or fixed housing is provided. To apply for the Homeless exemption, complete the Affidavit of Homeless Status for Fee Exemption.

Parking Fee

If you do not use the College’s parking facilities at any campus or center, complete and submit a parking fee waiver form (PDF) and return it to any enrollment services office prior to registering for classes. Your parking fee waiver information will be entered into the system and parking fees will not be reflected in your registration fees. The deadline for applying for a parking fee waiver is the same as for the drop deadline. If you have any questions, please call your enrollment services office. See the registration calendar for drop deadlines.

Public Teachers

Effective July 1, 2010 the Florida State Legislature approved a waiver of tuition and fees for specific courses for full-time public teachers. The Florida Department of Education is tasked with identifying the procedure needed to verify eligible applicants. It is expected the College will begin accepting this waiver for the Spring Term 2011.

Purple Heart Recipients

Visit Military and Veteran Student Services for more information.

State Employee Waiver

The College will waive tuition and some fees for up to six credit hours per term in a valid program working toward a credential. This includes college-credit instruction and instruction toward a degree. This waiver applies to state employees employed full-time at the time of enrollment, excluding those employed by universities.

Students applying for a state employee tuition and fees waiver are registering on a space-available basis and can only register after fee-paying students have had the opportunity to register for classes. Some courses may be full and therefore unavailable.

Note: Students who register before submitting the Waiver Application will not be eligible for a tuition and fees waiver, and will be responsible for paying for all fees and tuition. Certain fees are not waived, including application, lab, testing, kit, equipment usage and insurance fees.

State employee tuition waiver program procedures are as follows:

1. Membership Application and Fee Call (904) 646-2300 to have an application packet mailed to you. Submit a completed membership application and the non-refundable $25 application fee. The application and fee may be submitted online or to any campus enrollment services office.
2. Waiver Application Complete a State Employee Tuition Waiver - Intent to Apply form (PDF) and submit it to any campus business affairs office. The form will be accepted beginning the Wednesday before the class you are registering for starts.
3. Registration Register for the courses you listed on the form using the online registration system, Connections, or enrollment services on campus.

Students in the Custody of the Department of Children and Family Services

Effective July 1, 2010, students who are or have been in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) are eligible for exemption from tuition and fees until the age of 28. Students applying for the DCFS exemption should submit a completed and signed State of Florida Department of Children and Family Services form CF-FSP 5220.

Residency Requirements

Applicants for admission are classified as Florida resident (in-state) or non–Florida resident (out-of-state) for tuition and fees assessment purposes based on Florida Statutes 1009.21.

The law allows U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent residents to be classified as Florida residents for tuition and fees purposes if the independent applicant or the dependent applicant’s parent/legal guardian has been a legal permanent resident of the state for at least 12 continuous months preceding the first day of classes of the term/session for which Florida residency is sought. Students seeking to pay resident tuition and fees must provide a statement of residency through the submission of a residency affidavit (PDF).

Determination of Dependency Status for Florida Tuition Rates

To be considered independent for the purpose of tuition and fees the following criteria will be considered:

1. The student is 24 years of age or older by the first day of classes of the term for which residency status is sought at a Florida institution.
2. The student is married.
3. The student has children who receive more than half of their support from the student.
4. The student has other dependents who live with and receive more than half of their support from the student.
5. The student is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or is currently serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces for purposes other than training.
6. Both of the student’s parents are deceased, or the student is or was (until age 18) one of the following:
   
   1. a ward/dependent of the court, or
   2. in foster care.
7. The student is determined an unaccompanied homeless by a school district homeless liaison, emergency shelter or transitional housing program

Evidence that the student meets one of these criteria will be requested.

A student who does not meet any of the criteria outlined above may be classified as an independent student by submitting supportive financial documentation that he or she provides fifty (50) percent or more of his/her support for the year (exclusive of federal, state, and institutional aid or scholarships).

All other students who do not meet the above outlined definition of an independent student shall be classified as dependent students for the determination of residency for tuition and fees purposes. A student, whether or not living with his or her parent, who is eligible to be claimed by his or her parent under the federal income tax code shall be classified as a dependent student.

Exceptions/Qualifications

Section 1009.21, Florida Statutes, permits certain applicants who do not meet residency requirements to be classified as Florida residents for tuition and fees purposes. If an applicant qualifies for a residency exception or qualification, then appropriate documentation must be submitted to evidence entitlement to that exception or qualification. Such evidence is generally specific to the type of residency exception or qualification being claimed by the applicant. These exceptional categories are as follows:

1. Persons who were enrolled as Florida residents for tuition and fees purposes at a Florida public institution of higher education, but who abandon Florida domicile and then re-enroll in Florida within 12 months of the abandonment.
2. Active duty members of the Armed Services of the United States residing or stationed in Florida (and spouse/dependent children); active drilling members of the Florida National Guard; or military personnel not stationed in Florida whose home of record or state of legal residence certificate, DD Form 2058, is Florida (and spouse/dependent children).
3. Active duty members of the Armed Services of the United States and their spouses/dependent children attending a public college or university within 50 miles of the military establishment where they are stationed, if such military establishment is within a county contiguous to Florida.
4. United States citizens living on the Isthmus of Panama, who have completed 12 consecutive months of college work at the Florida State University Panama Canal Branch, and their spouses and dependent children.
5. Full time instructional and administrative personnel employed by the State public school system and institutions of higher education as defined in s. 1009.21(c) (and spouse/dependent children).
6. Students from Latin America and the Caribbean who receive scholarships from the federal or state government. The student must attend, on a full-time basis, a Florida institution of higher education.
7. Southern Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Market graduate students attending Florida’s state universities.
8. Full-time employees of state agencies or political subdivisions of the state when the student fees are paid by the state agency or political subdivision for the purpose of job-related law enforcement or corrections training.
9. McKnight Doctoral Fellows and Finalists who are United States citizens.
10. United States citizens living outside the United States who are teaching at a Department of Defense Dependent School or in an American International School and who enroll in a graduate level education program which leads to a Florida teaching certificate.
11. Active duty members of the Canadian military residing or stationed in this state under the North American Air Defense (NORAD) agreement, and their spouses and dependent children, attending a public community college or university within 50 miles of the military establishment where they are stationed.
12. Active duty members of a foreign nation’s military who are serving as liaison officers and are residing or stationed in this state, and their spouses and dependent children, attending a community college or state university within 50 miles of the military establishment where the foreign liaison officer is stationed.
13. Qualified beneficiaries under the Stanley G. Tate Florida Pre-Paid College Program per s. 1009.98.
14. Linkage Institute participants receiving partial or full exemptions from S. 1009.21, FS, based on criteria approved by the Florida Department of Education per s. 288.8175, FS, which establishes linkage institutes between postsecondary institutions in this state and foreign countries.

If a dependent child has been residing continuously with a legal resident adult relative other than the parent for at least 5 years immediately prior to the first day of classes of the term which Florida residency is sought, the dependent child may provide documentation from the adult relative or from the parent. Both the dependent child and the adult relative or the parent must meet the consecutive 12 month legal residence requirement.

Initial Classification

If a student does not does not qualify for a statutory residency exception or qualification, they will have to submit documentation that they (or a parent or legal guardian if a dependent) has been a Florida resident for at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for which the student is enrolling. At least two documents must be submitted, with dates that evidence the 12-month qualifying period. At least one of the documents must be from the First Tier. As some evidence is more persuasive than others, more than two may be requested. No single piece of documentation will be considered conclusive. Additionally, there must be an absence of information that contradicts the applicant’s claim of residency.

The law allows non-U.S. citizens who are lawfully present in the United States such as permanent residents, temporary permanent resident, asylees, parolees, refugees and Cuban/Haitian entrants who have applied for and been approved for such status and who otherwise meet the 12 months legal residence requirements, to be eligible to establish Florida residency for tuition and fees purposes. Provided that the non-U.S. citizen has proof of his or her permanent immigration status, he or she may be classified as a Florida Resident 12 months from the time he or she establishes legal Florida residence for tuition and fees purposes. The following is a list of non-immigrant categories eligible to establish Florida residency for tuition and fees purposes.

Visa Categories are: A, E, G, H-1B, I, K, L, N, O-1, R, NATO-I-7, S, T, U, V.

Non-U.S. citizens in the following categories shall also be considered eligible to establish Florida residency for tuition and fees purposes:

1. Citizens of Micronesia
2. Citizens of the Marshall Islands
3. Beneficiaries of the Family Unit Program
4. Individuals granted:
   1. Temporary protected status
   2. Withholding of removal status
   3. Suspension of deportation status or cancellation of removal
   4. A stay of deportation or status of removal
   5. Deferred action status
   6. Deferred enforced departure status
   7. Asylum
   8. Refugee status
   9. Parolee status
5. Applicants for adjustment of status
6. Individuals defined as Cuban or Hiatian entrants under the Refugee Education Assistance Act

Applicants should be aware that a false statement regarding residency status is punishable as a misdemeanor under Florida Statutes, Section 837.06. If a statement is determined to be false, student will be subject to discipline by the District Board of Trustees, which may include expulsion and the withholding of credit.

Applicants who do not qualify as Florida students under these provisions will pay the non–resident tuition and fees, and other charges required of non–Florida students.

Residency Reclassification

A student who is classified as a non–Florida resident (out-of-state) and seeks reclassification as a Florida resident (in-state) must complete and submit the residency reclassification form (PDF) and all supporting documentation prior to the first day of the first session in which residency is sought. All documents supporting the residency reclassification must show evidence that the student (or if a minor, his/her parents or legal guardian) has resided in Florida for 12 consecutive months. Three documents are required and may include: a valid Florida driver’s license, a current voter’s registration card, a valid Florida vehicle registration or Declaration of Domicile.

The student who comes to Florida to enroll full-time 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 and fees regardless of the length of time enrolled.

Guidelines for Appeal of Florida Residency Classification

Step 1. Student’s Submission of the Request

The student initiates the appeals process in the campus student success office or the authorized center administrator’s office no later than the A16 Session withdrawal deadline of the following term. The student submits the completed residency appeal and supporting documentation to the campus Dean of Student Success Office or the authorized center administrator. The campus or center representative for the Dean of Student Success then forwards the appeal to the Residency Appeals Committee.

Step 2. College-wide Residency Appeal Committee Review

During its regularly scheduled meetings, the committee will review the appeals submitted for that month. The committee may request additional information from the student or the campus in order to make its decision.

Step 3. Final Residency Determination

Upon review, the Residency Committee will inform the student of its decision in writing. The committee’s decision is final and may not be appealed. All residency determinations are made by the postsecondary institution.

*Residency requirements are subject to change pending the decisions of the Florida Legislature. To view any changes to the residency requirements, consult FACTS.org.

Other Fees

Late Registration Fee

The fee for late registration is $35.

Returned Check Fee

Checks returned by the bank $25

This fee will not be assessed if the bank certifies that the check was returned due to bank error. Unless the returned check and $25 service charge are paid in full on or before the prescribed deadline, students will be disenrolled from all classes affected by this returned check. Students who have been disenrolled from their classes can re–enroll through the late registration process and shall be charged the late registration fee. For one full calendar year, the College will not accept a check from these students.

Assessment Fees

The majority of assessments administered by the assessment and certification centers require the payment of a fee. A $5 fee is also charged for additional score reports. These fees are paid in the campus business office prior to testing and are non–refundable. Students are not charged a fee for the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), or the first time they sit for the Information Literacy Assessment or the College Placement Test (CPT).

Insurance Fees

Professional malpractice and liability insurance risk coverage fees per course:

The risk coverage fee is non–refundable if students withdraw after the official close of the add/drop period for the term.

Ceremony Fees

Items purchased by the College to permit the conducting of ceremonies in accordance with established traditions for special programs, primarily in the health–related education area, will be charged to the affected students. Charges shall not exceed the cost of the items purchased for students.

Payment

How to Pay

After you register, your courses are reserved for you until your payment deadline. When we receive your payment, your courses are locked in. If you choose not to pay by the payment deadline, your course reservation will be canceled and you will need to re–register. The College provides you with four ways to pay for college credit courses: by Web, telephone, on campus and by mail.

Web

The easiest way to pay for your courses is directly through Connections. You can pay using a credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card), or on the Web with an electronic check, or by enrolling in one of the available Tuition Installment Plans. You can pay at any time after you register, but remember, if you choose to delay your payment it still must be received by the deadline to lock in your schedule.

All financial aid and agency sponsored payments will automatically be applied to the amount due when you register. If an amount remains due, the operator will inform you of the amount due and the payment date.

On Campus

You may pay your tuition and fees at the business office on any campus. You can use cash, check, money order or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card) to pay your fees. Drop boxes are available at each campus location for payments by check or money order.

By Mail

Pay by mail instructions and forms are printed in each College schedule.

Agency Sponsored Payments

Students with funding for tuition and fees from sponsoring agencies or organizations must have an authorization from the agency on file before the student’s tuition and fees will be linked to the sponsor. Once the authorization is on file, registration costs of the student will automatically be applied to the sponsor’s account and an invoice generated to the sponsor for payment. Sponsored students remain liable for any charges incurred on their behalf and will be billed by the College if the sponsoring agency does not render payment to the College in the prescribed manner. Students are required to render payment within 30 days of the billing date. Failure to pay will result in restrictions and costs listed in the Payment of Student Accounts section below.

Payment of Student Accounts

Students’ accounts are payable to Florida State College at the time such charges are incurred. Students receiving financial aid, veteran benefits or having an approved agency sponsorship on file can enter into an agreement with the College to have tuition and fees, and in some cases books and other charges placed on account. Student remains responsible for payment of all charges. Florida State College prohibits the registration of, release of transcripts to, or the issuance of a certification of completion or diploma to students whose accounts with the College are delinquent. Students who fail to pay short–term loans, financial aid loans, veteran deferments or other debt by the date established by the College may be disenrolled, subject to additional charges, reported to a collection agency and the credit bureau, and will not be able to register and receive transcripts.

Fee Refunds

Requirements

A one hundred percent (100%) refund of matriculation and tuition and fees will be granted to a student who officially drops a course prior to the end of the College’s published drop/add period. Refunds are subject to applicable federal and state guidelines and laws.

Refunds resulting from overpayment of tuition and fees are automatically processed beginning two calendar weeks from the 100% refund date for the main session of the term. After this date, refunds are processed weekly. Refunds are not processed automatically before this date to allow students the maximum flexibility in modifying their schedule.

Students who desire to receive refunds before the automatic processing is scheduled may request a refund from any campus business office. Refunds requested in this manner will be processed within five business days as long as all other requirements for processing a refund are met. Students paying by check must wait a minimum of 10 days before requesting a refund.

Refunds will be disbursed in the same method as the payment was originally received unless otherwise determined by the Bursar. If the amount paid was received by a credit card, then a refund will be initiated to the credit card. If the amount paid was received by check, money order or cash, the refund will be returned by check or electronic disbursement to the student’s bank account.

A refund will be processed to the student if the tuition and fees amount was originally paid by financial aid. When payment for tuition and fees is received from a sponsoring agency, the written authorization from the sponsoring agency will determine whether refunds are remitted to the student or to the agency.

Automatic refunds will only be made for overpayments greater than $5.

Any amount due to the student should be applied to his or her outstanding debts before a refund is issued.

Fee Refunds: Continuing Education Courses, Seminars and Workshops

As published in the announcement, workshops or seminars which require special arrangements may provide no refund of fees if participants cancel after the time specified in the announcement.

Refund Payment Dates

Refund checks or credit memoranda will be made in accordance with the schedule established by the College. However, students who are due a refund may request a refund earlier at any campus business office. Students paying by check must wait a minimum of 10 days before requesting a refund.

Students paying part of their tuition and fees with cash/check and part by credit card will receive a credit memoranda to their credit card.

Request for Refund Appeal Process

The Campus President may approve disenrollment, and a refund of matriculation and tuition and fees for a course or courses after the official drop/add period. Approval will be granted based on documented extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student such as involuntary call to active military duty, college error and extensive hospitalization.

Students will complete a Request for Refund or Cancellation of Debt form from the Campus Dean of Student Success office. If approved and a refund is due, the refund will be made by College check and will be mailed to the student at the address on file with the College. Refunds will be mailed within 10 working days of approval by the Campus President. If a refund is not approved, the student will be notified.

The Campus President may deny the request, approve disenrollment and a refund of tuition and fees, or approve a waiver for the class to be repeated.

Requests for Refund or Cancellation of Debt must be received by the Campus Student Success office before the official withdrawal date of the following term.

Special Programs Offering Financial Aid Tax Credits

The federal government’s Taxpayer’s Relief Act of 1997 (TRA ’97) provides new tax benefits to help families meet the cost of post–secondary education. The TRA ’97 contains the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit, renamed in 2009 to the American Opportunity Tax Credit, provides for students in the first two years of post– secondary (college and vocational) education and the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit for other students. Because each person’s tax situation is unique, students interested in these tax credits should consult their tax advisor to determine eligibility. More information can also be obtained by calling the IRS at (800) 829-1040 and asking for IRS publication 970 or logging on to the IRS Web site or U.S. Department of Education Web site.