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Tuition Waivers and Fees Exemptions

Students who are eligible for exemptions are not required to pay standard tuition and fees associated with the course for which they have enrolled. These exemptions apply only to tuition and fees, and students will be responsible for other applicable charges, including course materials.

Exemptions:

Homeless Exemption

In accordance with Florida Statute 1009.25 (1)(f), a student who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence or whose primary nighttime residence is a public or private shelter designed to provide temporary residence, a public or private transitional living program, or a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. This includes a student who would otherwise meet the requirements of this paragraph, as determined by a college or university, but for his or her residence in college or university dormitory housing.

To petition for the homelessness exemption, submit documentation using the Homeless Tuition Exemption Form.

    • Documentation is a letter, on official letterhead, which includes contact information (address, telephone, and email), from an agency or organization designed to provide temporary residence or transitional living programs signed by a representative of the agency/organization which includes printed name and title.
    • New documentation is required for each term of enrollment and should be dated no earlier than 45 days prior to and no later than 30 days from the start date of the full academic term as listed in the Important Dates and Deadlines Calendar.
    • High school graduating seniors who enroll in the fall term immediately following high school graduation may provide McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act documentation from their high school liaison. For each subsequent academic term of enrollment, students will need to submit new documentation. Documentation is a letter, on official letterhead, which includes contact information (address, telephone, and email), from an agency or organization designed to provide temporary residence or transitional living programs signed by a representative of the agency/organization which includes printed name and title.
    • Students will be notified via their NWFSC email account of the approval or denial of the exemption.
    • The exemption will be applied to the student’s account for the appropriate tuition and fees charges.
    • As per Florida Statute 409.4152(1)(a), NWFSC’s Homeless Liaison is available to answer questions and provide services or support:

Jessica Beesley
Associate Director, Student Success Navigation
(850) 729-6410
[email protected]

If a student no longer qualifies for the Homeless Tuition Exemption, they must meet the Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes reclassification criteria for in-state tuition. These criteria can be found in the College Catalog.

Department of Children and Family Services Exemption (Foster Care/Relative Caregiver and Adoption)

In accordance with Florida Statute 1009.25 (1)(c), a student who is or was at the time he or she reached 18 years of age in the custody of the Department of Children and Families or who, after spending at least 6 months in the custody of the department after reaching 16 years of age, was placed in a guardianship by the court, are exempt from the payment of tuition and fees. The exemption remains valid until the student reaches 28 years of age.

In accordance with Florida Statute 1009.25 (1)(d), a student who is or was at the time he or she reached 18 years of age in the custody of a relative or nonrelative under Florida Statute 39.5085 or who was adopted from the Department of Children and Families after May 5, 1997, are exempt from the payment of tuition and fees. The exemption remains valid until the student reaches 28 years of age.

To petition for the Department of Children and Family Services Exemption, students should submit documentation to the Business Office using the Department of Children and Family Services Exemption Form.

    • Upon verifying the documentation, the College will apply the appropriate exemption to the student’s account for the appropriate tuition and fees. This exemption is for tuition and fees only.
    • Students will be notified via their NWFSC email account of the approval or denial of the exemption.
    • After the initial verification and processing of documentation, students do not need to submit documentation for subsequent academic terms. The exemption will remain in place until the student reaches 28 years of age. Note: If a student’s 28th birthday falls prior to the first day of the term, the exemption is no longer valid.
    • As per Florida Statute 409.1452(1)(a), NWFSC’s Foster Care Liaison is available to answer questions and provide services or support:

Jessica Beesley
Associate Director, Student Success Navigation
(850) 729-6410
[email protected]

Out-of-State Residency Tuition Waivers:

The state offers a variety of exemptions and waivers for the out-of-state portion of tuition, found in Florida Statute 1009.26. The most awarded waivers by NWFSC are below. Students must first submit a Residency Declaration for Florida Residents before a tuition waiver can be requested. A waiver will only be awarded once the student demonstrates they do not qualify for Florida residency. Students with questions regarding residency waiver eligibility should contact Student Success at [email protected].

Florida High School Graduate

House Bill 851 amended section (s.) 1009.26, Florida Statutes (F.S.), fee waivers, to authorize an out-of-state fee waiver for students who have attended a Florida high school for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to graduating from a Florida high school. These students must have applied to a Florida College System institution or State University System within 24 months after their high school graduation. This waiver can be applied to recent Florida high school graduates regardless of their immigration status to include DACA and undocumented students. Applicants who do not qualify for in-state residency but are eligible for this waiver should submit an official Florida High School transcript and complete the Out-of-State Fee Waiver: Florida High School Graduate Form.

VA (Veterans Affairs) Eligible Students (for Veterans and their Dependents)

House Bill 7015 created the Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program and amended section (s.) 1009.26, Florida Statutes (F.S.) fee waivers, to authorize an out-of-state fee waiver for honorably discharged Veterans and their dependents of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Reserve Forces or the National Guard who physically reside in Florida. Veteran students and their dependent(s) are required to submit the Declaration for Florida Residency and the College must officially determine that they are not eligible for in-state tuition before the Veteran and/or dependent(s) can pursue an out-of-state fee waiver.

NWF State College shall waive the out-of-state tuition for Veteran students and their dependent(s) who meet the following conditions:

    • The Veteran student and/or dependent’s sponsor received an honorable discharge as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Reserve Forces, or the National Guard.
    • Proof of honorable discharge confirmed on Veteran’s DD214 (member copy 4).
    • Proof of physical residence in the state may include submission of an annual lease and/or a Florida Driver’s License reflecting the Veteran’s name.

To be eligible for the waiver, students must submit the Out-of-State Fee Waiver: VA Eligible Student Form for consideration. Once approved, this waiver is good for only one academic year. Once the waiver has expired at the end of the academic year, students are required to submit a new Florida Residency Declaration and the College must officially determine that they are still not eligible for in-state tuition before the Veteran and/or dependent(s) can pursue an out-of-state fee waiver again. If the student is still classified as not eligible for in-state tuition, then they must submit a new Out-of-State Fee Waiver: VA Eligible Student Form  for it to be applied to the upcoming academic year.

 

Active-Duty Service Member

House Bill 799 was signed into law July 2016 and amended section (s.) 1009.26, Florida Statutes (F.S.), fee waivers, to authorize an out-of-state fee waiver for a person who is an active-duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States residing or stationed outside of the state of Florida. Active-duty students are required to submit the Declaration for Florida Residency and the College must officially determine that they are not eligible for in-state tuition before the active-duty service member can pursue an out-of-state fee waiver.

To be eligible for this waiver, students need to submit the Out-of-State Fee Waiver: Active-Duty Service Member Form and provide a copy of their current active-duty orders to the Office of Academic Records and Enrollment. Once approved, this waiver is good for only one academic year.

Once the waiver has expired at the end of the academic year, active-duty students are required to submit a new Declaration for Florida Residency and the College must officially determine that they are not eligible for in-state tuition before the active-duty service member can pursue a new Out-of-State Fee Waiver: Active-Duty Service Member Form for the upcoming academic year.

Tuition Waivers:

Purple Heart Waiver

This waiver allows the in-state portion of tuition to be waived for recipients of the Purple Heart or other combat decoration superior in precedence. The student is responsible for paying all lab fees. This waiver is applicable for 110 percent of the number of required credit hours of the degree or certificate program for which the student is enrolled. The student must meet the requirements of residency for tuition purposes specified in section (s.) 1009.21, F.S., and Rule 6A-10.044, Florida Administrative Code. Administration of this waiver is handled by the Business Office.

Students must meet all the criteria below and submit documentation to                                     [email protected]:

    • Admitted as a full-time, part-time, or summer school student in an undergraduate program of study leading to a degree or certificate;
    • Is currently, and was at the time of the military action that resulted in the awarding of the Purple Heart or other superior combat decoration, a resident of Florida; and
    • Submit to the college the DD-214 form, issued at the time of separation from service, as documentation that he or she has received a Purple Heart or other combat decoration superior in precedence.

The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs has indicated that the following combat                    decorations qualify students for the provisions of this waiver include:

    • Purple Heart
    • Bronze Star (must be “V” designation or device)
    • Distinguished Flying Cross
    • Legion of Merit (must be “V” designation or device)
    • Silver Star
    • Air Force Cross
    • Navy Cross
    • Distinguished Service Cross
    • Medal of Honor

Disabled Veteran Waiver

Under House Bill 45, disabled veterans who are enrolled in a postsecondary program AND receive educational assistance under the GI Bill, but do not qualify for the 100 percent eligibility are eligible to receive a waiver for the remaining cost of tuition and fees.

The waiver will be granted if the following criteria are met:

    • The individual is a resident of the state of Florida and can provide proof of residency.
    • The individual can provide proof they have a service-connected 100% total and permanent disability rating for compensation. This would include a valid identification card by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Disabled Veteran Waiver Form

Further questions about the disabled veteran waiver should be directed to the Veteran and Military Success Office at (850) 502-2895.

Space Available Waivers:

Northwest Florida State College provides the following space available waivers as per Florida Statutes 1009.26. Individuals desiring a space available waiver must meet Florida residency requirements and are encouraged to apply for admissions by the Admissions Priority Deadline noted on the academic calendar. Registration under any of the course waivers is limited to “space availability” and registration will only be allowed two business days prior to the start of the term as per the Registration – Space Available Waiver date listed on the academic calendar. Internship and independent study classes are excluded from these waivers. If you register for the course prior to the allowed registration period, or are given a capacity override, you will not be eligible to use any space available waiver for the course, even if the course is dropped from your record.

Refer to sections below for specific qualifications and restrictions related to these waivers. Administration of these waivers is handled by the Business Office.

Senior Citizens Waiver

Students classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes and age 60 years or older are eligible for NWFSC’s tuition waiver up to a maximum of 6 credit hours per term. The waiver includes tuition and mandatory state fees only. Any special fee or distance learning fee associated with a course will be the responsibility of the individual requesting the waiver. Registration using this waiver is limited to credit-bearing courses taken for audit. To use the Senior Citizens Waiver, the senior citizen must register for classes no sooner than the Registration – Space Available Waiver date listed on the academic calendar and on the same day of registration, visit a campus Business Office with documentation of age (such as a driver’s license) to receive the waiver. All special and distance learning fees must be paid at this time.

State Employee Waiver

Full-time employees of the executive, legislative or judicial branch of Florida’s government are eligible for a State Employee Waiver as defined in Florida Statute 1009.265(5). Employees of state universities are not eligible for this benefit. Eligible employees may have tuition and course fees waived for a maximum of 6 credit hours per term. To use the waiver, the state employee must register for classes no sooner than the Registration – Space Available Waiver date listed on the academic calendar and on the same day of registration, visit any campus Business Office to provide eligibility verification from their state employer.

Classroom Teacher Employee Waiver

Full-time classroom teachers, as defined in Florida Statute 1012.01(2)(a), employed by a school district are eligible for a Classroom Teacher Employee Waiver. Such courses are limited to undergraduate courses related to special education, mathematics, or science as established in the Course Prefix Listing for the Teacher Waiver approved by the Florida Department of Education. In accordance with Florida Statute 1009.26(10), the waiver may not be used for courses scheduled during the school district’s regular school day. Eligible employees may have tuition and course fees waived for a maximum of 6 credit hours per term on a space-available basis. To use the Classroom Teacher waiver, a classroom teacher must register for the specially designated classes no sooner than the Registration – Space Available Waiver date listed on the academic calendar and on the same day of registration, visit any campus Business Office to provide a completed Authorization for Classroom Teacher Tuition Waiver form documenting eligibility verification from your employer.