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Independent Student

A student who meets any one of the following criteria shall be classified as an independent student for the determination of residency for tuition purposes:

• The student is 24 years old or older by the first day of classes of the term for which residency status is sought at the institution
• The student is married
• The student has dependents that live with him or her, and the student provides more than half of the income to support those dependents 
• The student is a graduate or professional student
• The student is actively serving in the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, or is a veteran 
• The student is not eligible to be claimed as a dependent by his or her parent or legal guardian for federal income tax purposes according to the rules and regulations established by the United States Internal Revenue Service
• The student can demonstrate that he or she pays more than half of his or her annual tuition and required fees for a non-resident student
• Both parents of the student are deceased

Evidence that the student meets one of these criteria will be requested by the higher education institution. A student who does not meet one of the criteria outlined above may be classified as an independent student only if he or she submits documentation that he or she provides fifty (50) percent or more of the cost of attendance for independent, in-state students as defined by the financial aid office at the institution (exclusive of federal, state, and institutional aid or scholarships).

Dependent Student

All other students who do not meet the above definition of an independent student shall be classified as dependent students for the determination of residency for tuition purposes.

Claimant

The claimant is the person demonstrating evidence of establishing and maintaining a permanent legal residence in Florida for a minimum of 12 months. For an independent student, the claimant will be the student. For a dependent student, the claimant will be an individual on whom the student is basing evidence of residency. This person may be a parent, legal guardian or spouse.

Parent

“Parent” encompasses any person who is eligible to claim the person seeking classification as a dependent for federal income tax purposes. According to federal income tax code, the following are acceptable “parental relationships.” The person seeking classification must be a:

• Child or a descendant of a child
• Stepchild
• Brother, sister, stepbrother, or stepsister
• Half-brother, half-sister
• Or a descendant of any of the above

of the resident claimant for the resident claimant to qualify as a “parent” according Fla Stat 1009.21.

Legal Guardian

A legal guardian is appointed by the Florida courts. If the claimant is the court-appointed legal guardian, the student must submit a copy of the court decree naming the claimant as the student’s guardian. A person other than a parent who claims the student as a dependent for income tax purposes is not considered the student’s legal guardian.