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Admissions

FLORIDA RESIDENCY FOR TUITION PURPOSES

Section 1009.21, Florida Statutes (F.S.), allows a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident or alien lawfully in the United States who is in an eligible visa category to be classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes if the applicant or the dependent applicant’s parent/legal guardian has established legal residence in the state for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the term for which Florida residency is sought.

The determination of dependent or independent status is important because it is the basis for whether the student has to submit his/her own documentation of residency (as an independent) or his/her parent’s or legal guardian’s documentation of residency (as a dependent).

Definitions

1. Dependent student: a student, whether or not living with his/her parent, who is eligible to be claimed by his/her parent as a dependent under the federal income tax code.
2. Independent student: a student who meets any one of the following criteria:
   
• 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
• Is married
• Has children who receive more than half of their support from the student
• Has other dependents that live with and receive more than half of their support from the student
• Is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or is currently
• Serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training
• Both parents are deceased or the student is or was (until age 18) one of the following: (a) a ward/dependent of the court or (b) in foster care
• Is determined an unaccompanied homeless student by a school district homeless liaison, emergency shelter or transitional housing program
3. Independent student (under 24): a student who is under the age of 24 and wishes to be considered independent must, for the term residency is sought; provide additional written or electronic verification of possession beyond the standard Tier 1 and Tier 2 documents. The following are examples of documents that must be provided:
• Marriage certificate, insurance information showing marital status or most recent tax return showing marital status
• Tax returns showing support of children or other dependents that live with and receive more than half of their support from the student
• Military discharge documents
• Legal documents showing the student is a ward/dependent of the courts
• Documentation showing that the student provides more than 50 percent of his/her support for the year (Examples of acceptable documentation may include a copy of most recent tax return showing a minimum of $6,500 annual income [amount subject to change based on federal regulations], W-2 form, pay stubs or employer earnings verification.)
4. Initial enrollment: the first day of class of the student’s first term at an institution of higher education.
5. Legal resident or resident: a person who has maintained his/her residence in Florida for the preceding 12 months, has purchased a home which is occupied by him/her as his/her residence, or has established a domicile in Florida pursuant to s. 222.17, F.S.
6. Non-resident for tuition purposes: a person who does not qualify for the in-state tuition rate.
7. Parent: the natural or adoptive parent or legal guardian of a dependent child.
8. Resident for tuition purposes: a person who qualifies as provided in this section for the in-state tuition rate.

Required Documentary Evidence
If an applicant (student) qualifies for a residency exception or qualification, then appropriate documentation must be submitted as evidence of entitlement to that exception or qualification. Such evidence is generally specific to the type of residency exception or qualification being claimed by the student.

If an applicant (student) does not qualify for a residency exception or qualification, he/she will have to submit documentation that he/she (or a parent or legal guardian, if a dependent) has been a Florida resident for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of classes for which the student is enrolling. At least two of the following documents must be submitted, with dates that evidence the 12 consecutive 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.

First Tier (at least one of the two documents submitted must be from this list):

• A Florida driver license
• A State of Florida identification card
• A Florida voter registration card
• A Florida vehicle registration
• Proof of permanent home in Florida that is occupied as a primary residence by the individual or by the individual’s parent if the individual is a dependent child
• Proof of homestead exemption in Florida
• Transcripts from a Florida high school for multiple years (two or more years) 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 for a consecutive 12-month period

Second Tier (may be used in conjunction with documentation from First Tier):

• A declaration of domicile in Florida
• A Florida professional or occupational license
• Florida incorporation
• A document evidencing family ties in Florida
• Proof of membership in a Florida-based charitable or professional organization
• Any other documentation that supports the student’s request for resident status, including, but not limited to, utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments; a lease agreement and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments; or an official state, federal or court document evidencing legal ties to Florida.

Statutory Exceptions and Qualifications

Section 1009.21, Florida Statutes (F.S.), permits certain
applicants who do not meet residency requirements to be classified as Florida residents for tuition purposes.

• If a dependent person who has been residing continuously with a legal resident adult relative other than the parent for at least five years immediately prior to the first day of classes of the term for 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 [s.1009.21(2) (b), F.S.].

Based on section 1009.21, F.S., the College requires
documentation in support of the following exceptions; however, the student does not have to show 12 months of residence in Florida prior to qualifying. These exceptions and qualifications categories are as follows:

• Persons who were enrolled as Florida residents for tuition purposes at a Florida public institution of higher education, but who abandoned Florida domicile and then re-enroll in Florida within 12 months of the abandonment – provided that the person continuously maintains the re-established domicile during the period of enrollment. (This benefit only applies one time.) [s.1009.21(9), F.S.]
• Active duty members of the Armed Services of the United States residing or stationed in Florida, their spouses and 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, DD2058, is Florida [s. 1009.21(10) (a), F.S.] (Required: copy of military orders or Form DD 2258)
• Active duty members of the Armed Services of the United States, their spouses and dependent children, attending a public college or university within 50 miles of the military establishment where they are stationed, if that establishment is within a county contiguous to Florida [s. 1009.21 (10)(b), F.S.] (Required: copy of military orders)
• United States citizens who are 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 [s. 1009.21(10)(c), F.S.]
• 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 their spouses or dependent children [s. 1009.21(10)(d), F.S.]  (Required: copy of employment verification)
• Students from Latin American 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 [s. 1009.21(10) (e), F.S.] (Required: copy of scholarship papers)
• 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 [s.1009.21 (10)(g) (Required: copy of employment verification)
• Active duty members of the Canadian military residing or stationed in Florida under the North American Air Defense (NORAD) Agreement, and their spouses and dependent children, attending a public community college or state university within 50 miles of the military establishment where they are stationed [s. 1009.21(10)(j)]
• Active duty members of a foreign nation’s military who are serving as liaison officers and are residing or stationed in Florida, and their spouses and children, and attending a public community college or state university within 50 miles of the military establishment where the member is stationed [s. 1009.21(10), F.S.]
• Qualified beneficiaries under the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program [s.1009.98, F.S.] (Required: copy of Florida Prepaid Program ID card)

Residency Reclassification

An individual who is classified as out-of-state and wants to request “reclassification” to in-state status must complete a Request for Residency Reclassification form from the Enrollment Services office or download the form from the Admissions webpage at www.gulfcoast.edu.  The completed Request for Residency Reclassification form and supporting documentation must be submitted to Enrollment Services for consideration prior to the term for which reclassification is sought.

The evidentiary requirement for reclassification goes beyond that for an initial classification, because the student has previously been determined to be an out-of-state resident. A student who is initially classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes may become eligible for reclassification as a resident for tuition purposes only if the student or his/her parent if the student is a dependent, present clear and convincing documentation that supports permanent legal residency in Florida for 12 consecutive months. A student, or his/her parent if the student is a dependent, may become eligible for reclassification by presenting a minimum of three documents as listed in the Required Documentary Evidence section. One of the three documents must come from the First Tier.

The burden of providing clear and convincing documentation justifying reclassification of a student as a resident for tuition purposes rests with the student, or if the student is a dependent, his/her parent. For documentation to be “clear and convincing,” it must be credible, trustworthy and sufficient to persuade Enrollment Services staff that the student or, if the student is a dependent, his/her parent has established legal residency in Florida that is not solely for the purpose of pursuing an education and has relinquished residency in any other state for a minimum of 12 consecutive months prior to classification.

Residency Appeals

A student who is denied Florida residency for tuition purposes on request for residency reclassification may appeal the decision through a written petition to the Residency Appeal Committee in the Enrollment Services. The burden of providing clear and convincing documentation justifying reclassification of a student as a resident for tuition purposes rests with the student or, if the student is a dependent, his/her parent.

ALTERNATIVE SCHEDULING OPPORTUNITIES

College Your Way

Between work and family, most of us have extremely busy schedules. Recognizing that flexible scheduling is important, Gulf Coast is introducing an exciting new concept called College Your Way.

We're all familiar with the idea of traditional college classes (on campus, daytime classes). College Your Way encompasses all non‐traditional classes in one area so you can choose the classes that are right for you and your schedule.

• E‐Learning/Distance Education Hybrid Classes (a combination of online and/or distance education with some in‐class, face to face meetings)
• Fridays Only

E‐Learning: If you're looking for online or Web‐based classes, look no further. What was once known as "distance education" has evolved to "E‐Learning" at GCSC. These classes are offered in part, or entirely, online. In fact, entire degrees can be achieved through E‐Learning at Gulf Coast State College. Each semester, we offer more than 150 sections of courses online. The E‐Learning Department is your connection to the most accessible courses on campus, and beyond. Details for each online course can be found at http://www.gulfcoast.edu/ecampus. Visit this Web site or call, (850)872‐3854. We'll be happy to get started or find your way further toward your degree goals.

PLEASE NOTE: $15 per credit hour will be assessed for fully (100%) online courses.

Military Services Program

Gulf Coast offers on‐site classes at Tyndall Air Force Base and the Naval Support Activity Panama City. These classes are also open to the civilian population.

Aside from stated and traditional means of obtaining credit, special policies, procedures and services are available to active‐duty personnel.

The college follows the recommendations of the American Council on Education concerning credit awarded for the successful completion of military service schools and training programs. Division chairs determine whether or not military credits apply to specific programs.

Official copies of appropriate military transcripts and/or documentation are required to award applicable credit.

• Credit must be applicable to the student’s current degree program.
• Gulf Coast must offer a course comparable in content and credit value.

It should be noted that most credits apply to the Associate in Science degree programs. For additional information visit the college website (www.gulfcoast.edu) and click on the TAFB Center option.

Sites

In addition to course and program offerings at the main campus of Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, the college maintains additional sites at Tyndall Air Force Base Education Center, the North Bay Center, including the Charles H. Abbott Criminal Justice Training Academy, and the Gulf/Franklin Center in Port St. Joe. Information on course offerings at these sites can be obtained from the schedule of classes for each term and through brochures and press releases.

Cooperative Education

Cooperative Education (COOP) is a supervised, practical work experiences that seek to combine theories and practice in the students’ major field of study. The student may be working in appropriate businesses, industries, government agencies or institutions, including educational institution, can enroll in Coop and earn college credits and gain practical knowledge at the same time. The class is designed to maximizes the students’ learning and apply practical skill and learned theories to projects in their field of studies.

Coop classes have two main parts, one class work and one practical job/work related. The class work utilizes Angel (the Learning Management System at Gulf Coast State College and thus saving time and energy).

Coop courses may be taken toward the completion of most of the Associate of Arts and Associates of Science degree programs as well as can be used as electives in some cases. Students wishing to register in a Coop class, must contact and meet with Ms. Kimberly Hoyt to insure registering in the appropriate class.

Ms. Hoyt is in Technology Room 219 and she can be reached at 850-872-3874 or by email at khoyt@gulfcoast.edu.

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