Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program

Each Florida College System institution board of trustees, each district school board with a career center authorized under section 1001.44, F.S., and each board of directors for a charter technical career center authorized under section 1002.34, F.S., shall waive out-of-state fees for:
(a) Honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed and Reserve Forces (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy) and the National Guard (Army and Air) or any other student who is entitled to and uses educational assistance provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs who physically resides in Florida while enrolled as a degree or certificate seeking student. Tuition and fees charged to a student who qualifies for the out-of-state fee waiver under this subsection may not exceed the tuition and fees charged a resident student enrolled in the same program.
(b) Active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States residing or stationed outside of Florida who are enrolled as a degree or certificate seeking student. Tuition and fees charged to a student who qualifies for the out-of-state fee waiver under this subsection may not exceed the tuition and fees charged to a resident student enrolled in the same program.

Who is eligible to receive the out-of-state fee waiver?

An honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Reserve Forces or the National Guard or any other student who is entitled to and uses educational assistance provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and who physically resides in the state while enrolled in a Florida College System institution is eligible to receive the fee waiver.

What documentation must a veteran or any other student who is eligible present to the FCS institution in order to be considered for this out-of-state fee waiver?

In order to be eligible for this out-of-state fee waiver, veterans will be expected to provide the following documentation:

Proof that the veteran physically resides in the state. This may include, but is not limited to, a Florida driver license or Florida identification card.
Proof that the veteran is honorably discharged. Information may be found on the veteran’s DD214, discharge certificate or other documentation as deemed appropriate by the Florida College System institution.

Are active duty military or National Guard members eligible to receive this out-of-state fee waiver?

No; however, s. 1009.21 (10)(a), F.S., specifies that active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces residing or stationed in Florida and active drilling members of the Florida National Guard are classified as residents for tuition purposes.

May a student receive both the Purple Heart tuition waiver pursuant to s. 1009.26 (8), F.S., and this out-of-state fee waiver?

It is possible that the same student could meet the eligibility criteria for both waivers. However, a student may receive the most benefit from the Purple Heart and other combat decorations superior in precedence tuition waiver. If a student is eligible for multiple waivers, he or she should receive the waiver that is most beneficial.

May this waiver apply to online programs and courses?

Yes, the waiver may be applied to online programs and courses.

May veterans or other eligible individuals who physically reside in a state other than Florida qualify to receive this waiver?

No, a veteran or other eligible individual must physically reside in Florida to be eligible to receive the out-of-state fee waiver. This also applies to veterans who intend to enroll exclusively in online programs and courses.

Must student eligibility for this waiver be verified each term?

Yes, the institution must ensure the veteran physically resides in Florida each term. It is recommended that institutions encourage veterans or others receiving educational assistance from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to begin establishing residency for tuition purposes pursuant to s. 1009.21, F.S., at the time of initial enrollment to facilitate reclassification as a Florida resident when documentation requirements are met. This may be helpful to the veteran since he/she will not have to prove physical presence in Florida each term as with the out-of-state fee waiver.

Will this waiver be automatically applied when an eligible veteran or eligible individual transfers from one institution to another?

Each institution must verify eligibility each term of enrollment due to the requirement of proof of physical presence in Florida.

Is there a limit on the number of times an eligible veteran or other eligible individual receiving educational assistance from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs may repeat a course using this waiver?

Yes, according to s.1009.285, F.S., fees for repeated enrollment in college-credit courses: A student enrolled in the same undergraduate college credit course more than twice shall pay tuition at 100 percent of the full cost of instruction and shall not be included in calculations of full-time equivalent enrollments for state funding purposes. Therefore, a student will be required to pay 100 percent of the full cost of instruction if a course is repeated more than twice. It is important to note that will not pay for a second attempt, if the original “F” grade counts toward the degree program requirements. See the School Certifying Official for details.

Does an eligible veteran or student receiving educational assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs need to maintain continuous enrollment in order to remain eligible for this waiver?

No, a veteran or other individual receiving educational assistance from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs who meets the specified criteria will remain eligible for this waiver unless circumstances change.

Are Florida College System institutions required to provide this waiver?

Yes, this waiver is not discretionary, per Florida Statute 1009.26(13) and (14) and Florida Board of Education Rule 6A-14.0305.

Does a FCS institution automatically administer this waiver?

No, a veteran or other eligible individual must request this waiver. The FCS institution must verify the veteran or other eligible individual meets eligibility criteria, including physical residence in Florida, prior to administering this waiver; therefore, it is not automatically applied.

Are currently enrolled veterans who are classified as non-Florida residents for tuition purposes eligible for this waiver?

Yes, all veterans who meet the eligibility criteria are eligible to receive the waiver.

The bill also requires that each institution report to the State Board of Education the number and value of all fee waivers granted annually under the Congressman C.W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver Act. The addition of a value to the data element titled Fee Classification Residency(Student Database, data element 1004, table value “B”) has been discussed with reports coordinators (MISATFOR meeting, April 16, 2014) for state reporting purposes and will be implemented with the effective date of the bill, July 1, 2014.

For questions or more information, contact Enrollment Services via email at registrar@cf.edu, phone at 352-873-5802, or you can chat with us in our Virtual Lobby at www.cf.edu/lobby.