HB 205 Summary

• Prohibits denial of in-state tuition classification based solely on a dependent child's parent's immigration status, provided the child is a United States citizen.

• Allows dependent children living with adult relatives (other than parents) to qualify for resident tuition if the relative maintained Florida residency for 12 months and the child resided with that relative for 3-5 years with their supervision.

• Creates a tuition exemption for non-immigrant students who resided in Florida with a parent for 3 consecutive years, attended Florida high school for 3 consecutive years, and pledge to apply for permanent residency at the earliest opportunity.

• Adds honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Services (including reserve components) who physically reside in Florida to the list of persons automatically classified as residents for tuition purposes.

• Authorizes state universities and Florida College System institutions to adopt fee and tuition waivers based on high school attendance and graduation criteria rather than explicit state residency requirements, in compliance with federal law.

• Effective date: July 1, 2014.