Students Experiencing Homelessness
Tuition and Fees Exemptions for Students Who Have Been or are in Foster Care or are Experiencing Homelessness.
Valencia College is committed to providing individualized support and resources to all students who qualify for these exemptions. The liaison listed below can answer questions and connect students to key support services and resources.
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 and travel expenses associated with study abroad.
Students Experiencing Homelessness Exemption
In accordance with Florida Statutes 1009.25 and 409.1452, students who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in these statutes are exempt from the payment of tuition and fees, including lab fees and fees associated with enrollment in applied academics for adult education instruction.
- To petition for the Students Experiencing Homelessness Exemption, students must submit a Florida Student Homelessness Verification for Tuition and Fees Exemption Purposes Form (Form FSH-1) to the Answer Center (First Stop on the Downtown Campus). Once the Answer Center determines and verifies eligibility, the exemption will be applied to the student’s account for the appropriate tuition and fees charges.
- This document will be maintained as part of the official student record.
- There is no age limit to use this exemption.
- After the initial verification and processing of documentation, students do not need to submit documentation for subsequent academic terms unless the student’s circumstances have changed, the institution receives conflicting information regarding a change in the student’s independence status; or if the student reenrolls after discontinuing enrollment for twelve (12) consecutive months or more.
- The documentation is only to be used by the individual student whose name is listed on the document. It is not transferrable to other family members.
- Students will be notified via their Atlas email account of the approval or denial of the exemption.
- A staff member will reach out to students via their Atlas email account to offer on-campus support and student success resources.
- If a student no longer qualifies for the Students Experiencing Homeless Exemption, he or she is required to meet the Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes reclassification criteria for in-state tuition. Florida Residency Criteria can be found here.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, Section 725 Exemption
- High school graduating seniors who enroll in the fall term immediately following high school graduation may provide McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, section 725 documentation from their high school liaison to the Answer Center (First Stop on the Downtown Campus). Once the Answer Center determines and verifies eligibility, the exemption will be applied to the student’s account for the appropriate tuition and fees charges.
- This document will be maintained as part of the official student record.
- Documentation must be from the current school year.
- After the initial verification and processing of documentation, students do not need to submit documentation for subsequent academic terms unless the student’s circumstances have changed, the institution receives conflicting information regarding a change in the student’s independence status; or if the student reenrolls after discontinuing enrollment for twelve (12) consecutive months or more.
- The documentation is only to be used by the individual student whose name is listed on the document. It is not transferrable to other family members.
- Students will be notified via their Atlas email account of the approval or denial of the exemption.
- A staff member will reach out to students via their Atlas email account to offer on-campus support and student success resources.
- If a student no longer qualifies for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, Section 725 Exemption, he or she is required to meet the Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes reclassification criteria for in-state tuition. Florida Residency Criteria can be found here.
Department of Children and Family Services Exemption (Relative Caregiver /Adoption/Foster Care)
In accordance with Florida Statute 1009.25 (1) (c) and 409.1452, students who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in these statutes are exempt from the payment of tuition and fees, including lab fees and fees associated with enrollment in applied academics for adult education instruction.
- To petition for the Department of Children and Family (DCF) Services Exemption, students must submit a Department of Children and Families (DCF) Tuition and Fee Exemption Form (Form CF-FSP 5220) for verification to the Answer Center (First Stop on the Downtown Campus). Once the Answer Center determines and verifies eligibility, the exemption will be applied to the student’s account for the appropriate tuition and fees charges.
- This document will be maintained as part of the official student record.
- The exemption remains valid until the student reaches 28 years of age. If a student’s 28th birthday falls prior to the first day of the term, the exemption is no longer valid.
- The documentation is only to be used by the individual student whose name is listed on the document. It is not transferrable to other family members.
- Students will be notified via their Atlas email account of the approval or denial of the exemption.
- A staff member will reach out to students via their Atlas email account to offer on-campus support and student success resources.