FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Florida Residency For Tuition Purposes

     This notice summarizes the provisions of Florida Statutes and University Policy/ Procedure concerning Florida residency for tuition purposes.

     In determining residency classification, students fall into one of two categories. They are either (1) independent students (students not claimed on parent’s or legal guardian’s federal income tax statement or whose parents do not provide 50% or more of their support) or (2) dependent students (students, regardless of age, who are claimed as dependents by parent or legal guardian on federal income tax statement or whose parents provide 50% or more of their support).

     The law basically requires that a U.S. citizen/permanent resident alien/independent student or a dependent student’s parent/legal guardian has established and maintained a LEGAL Florida residence for at least twelve (12) months before the first day of classes of the term for which Florida residency status is sought.  The student who comes to Florida to enroll full-time in a Florida higher education institution as an out of state resident and continuously enrolls in a Florida institution will not normally meet the Florida residency requirement for in-state tuition regardless of the length of time enrolled.

     USF St. Petersburg is required to obtain documentation of 12-months legal residence before a student is classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes.  A student is required to request Florida residency in writing and submit supporting documents no later than the fifth day of classes in the term for which classification is sought.

     The following is acceptable, non-conclusive evidence of the establishment of a legal residence in Florida.  Two documents must be dated/issued at least 12 months before the first day of classes of the term for which Florida residency is sought.

1.  Proof of purchase of permanent home in Florida.

2.  Declaration of Domicile.

3.  Florida’s driver’s license.

4.  Florida voter’s registration.

5.  Florida vehicle registration.

6.  Florida vehicle title.

7.  Professional/occupational license in Florida.

8.  Florida incorporation or other evidence of legal residence in Florida.

9.  Full-time, non-temporary employment in Florida.

PLEASE NOTE:  Rent receipts, leases, employment records, tax returns, school/college records are NOT evidence of establishing a legal Florida residence. Students who are dependent on out-of-state parents or who come to Florida for educational purposes are generally ineligible for reclassification to Florida status.  In rare cases, the law allows some students (e.g., military, public school teachers, etc.) who do not meet the basic requirements to be classified as Florida residents for tuition purposes.  For more information about exceptional categories, contact the Office of the Admissions & Records.

Fees

     The levels of the Activity and Service Fee, the Health Fee, and the Athletic Fee are determined on each campus by a student fee committee appointed by the President of the University and the Student Government President. The committee includes USF St. Petersburg faculty and students with the majority of the committee being students. The fees may be reviewed on a yearly basis. The following fee schedule applies to all USF St. Petersburg students.

     Registration fees are assessed in accordance with University Board of Trustees rules.  All fees are subject to change without prior notice.  The University will make every effort to advertise any such changes if they occur.

     1.  Initial Application Fee

     There is a non-refundable application fee of $30. Checks or money orders must be made payable to USF.  Applications received without the application fee will not be processed until the appropriate fee is received.

     2.  Tuition

     Schedule/Fee Statements are no longer mailed.  Tuition is due by the fifth day of each term.  To find out the amount of the total tuition due (the amount will not reflect any payments made on the account), students can bring a photo ID to the Office of the Registrar, located in the lobby of Bayboro Hall, and request a Registration Confirmation which will reflect total tuition and fees.

     The student is responsible for paying fees in full by the appropriate due date stated in the particular term’s Schedule of Classes.  Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the student’s registration.  Fees paid by mail must be postmarked by the post office, not office metered, on or before the fifth day of the term. Checks are payable to USF St. Petersburg.

     To avoid a $100.00 late payment fee, in addition to a $100 late registration fee, all tuition fees must be paid or postmarked by the U.S. Post Office, not office metered, by the fifth day of the term.  The University cannot be responsible for lost or misdirected U.S. Postal Service mail.  A student whose registration has been cancelled may request registration reinstatement through the fourth week of class for the academic term.  Upon approval for reinstatement, all fees and other debts owed to the University must be paid in full by cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, money order, or cashier’s check before reinstatement will be effected.

     a.  Tuition Fee Structure

Please refer to the current Schedule of Classes for course-fee information.

NOTE: There is no ceiling (maximum) on the amount that a student may be assessed for a single term.

A lab fee of $8.00 to $15.00 is charged for certain courses. Please consult your Schedule of Classes to locate the courses that require the fee and the amount of the fee that applies to the course.

Students who only register for a co-op assignment must pay a minimum of one (1) hour at the level of the co-op assignment.

Regular Cashier’s Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tuition fee payment should be mailed to:

     Cashier’s Office

     University of South Florida St. Petersburg

     140 7th Avenue South, BAY 132

     St. Petersburg, Florida  33701

* Fees do not include books, on-campus seminars, housing, or food service and may change without notice.

     b.  Off-Campus College of Education Courses

Students enrolling for off-campus (Continuing Education) courses will be assessed fees according to the Tuition Fee Structure “a” above.  Continuing Education courses are designated by the “700 series” section number.  The Schedule of Classes, which is printed each semester, should be used as a reference for updated information.

     3.  Late-Registration Fee

All degree-seeking students who initiate (i.e., those students who have not enrolled for any courses during early or regular registration) their registration during the late-registration period will be automatically assessed a $100.00 late-registration fee.

     4.  Financial Aid Disbursement

Upon satisfaction of eligibility criteria, financial aid will be credited to student accounts after the drop/add period is over. Monies in excess of charges will be mailed to students’ local addresses or e-deposited into their bank accounts. 

     5.  Cancellation for Non-Payment of Fees

Students not on an authorized deferred payment of fees and who have not paid their tuition fees in full by a specified day (per Schedule of Classes) will have their registration for that term cancelled.  This means, specifically, that a student will receive no credit for any courses taken during that term.

     6.  Intern Participation Certificate

Individuals who have supervised interns may register for courses during a term by presenting their Intern Participation Certificate.  Prior to July 1, 1997, the Intern Participation Certificate stated that all fees were waived with the exception of the Bond and Trust Fee that was $4.76 per credit hour.  Certificates were valid for five years from the date of issuance.

     The new Intern Participation Certificate effective July 1, 1997, states that certificate holders are entitled to a waiver of only matriculation fees for a maximum of six (6) credit hours instruction during a single term.  Certificates are valid for three years from the date of issuance.

     Fees must be paid or postmarked by the U.S. Post Office (not office metered) by the fifth day of the term.  The University cannot be responsible for lost or misdirected U.S. Postal Service mail.

     7.  Staff Employee Waivers

Please check with Human Resources regarding this benefit.

     8.  Tuition Deferment for VA Students

Students receiving VA educational benefits can request a tuition deferment one time per academic year.  The request must be completed by the Friday of the first week of classes.  The deferment date will be the same date as the financial aid deferment date.

     9.  Florida Prepaid College Program

Students who are eligible to receive benefits under this program are responsible for the local portion of fees.  For 2007/2008 credit hour fees please check with the cashier’s office.

     This fee must be paid or postmarked by the fifth day of the term to avoid cancellation of registration and a$100.00 late payment fee, as well as a $100 registration fee.  A copy of the Prepaid card should be submitted to the Cashiers Office, BAY 132.

     10.     Mailed Payments

To avoid cancellation of registration, a $100.00 late payment fee, and a $100 late registration fee all fee payments must be postmarked, by the US Post Office (not office metered), by the applicable fee payment deadline listed in the Academic Calendar.

     11.     Returned Registration Checks

A student’s current registration is subject to cancellation if the check presented in payment of those fees is returned to the University unpaid. Dishonored fee payment checks must be redeemed within 10 calendar days to avoid cancellation of a student’s current registration.  A $100.00 late payment fee and a $25.00 administrative charge will be assessed on any registration check returned unpaid to the University.

Refund of Tuition/Fees Payment

Release of Tuition/Fees Liability

     The following refunds, less deductions for unpaid debts to the University, are authorized. A Refund Request form must be completed and presented to the Cashier’s Office, BAY 132, to initiate the refund process. A two-week waiting period is observed for each refund to be sure checks have cleared.

     100% of registration fees and tuition will be refunded if notice of withdrawal from the University is approved prior to the end of drop/add period and written documentation is received from the student.

     25% of registration fees and tuition paid, less building and capital improvement fees, will be refunded if notice of withdrawal from all courses from the University is approved prior to the end of the fourth week of classes (summer term is prior to the end of the third week of classes) and written documentation is received from the student.

Fee Adjustment Request After Fifth Day of the Term

     Effective January 1989, USF St. Petersburg approved a refund of 100% of the tuition and registration fees if a student withdraws or drops a course due to circumstances determined by the University to be exceptional and beyond the control of the student. Requests for fee adjustments must meet one of the conditions below to be considered.

     100% of registration fees and tuition will be refunded when a student withdraws or drops a course due to circumstances determined by the University to be exceptional and beyond the control of the student, including but not limited to:

     (1)      Illness of a student of such severity or duration, as confirmed in writing by a physician, to preclude completion of the course(s),

     (2)      Death of the student or death in the immediate family (parent, spouse, child or sibling) as confirmed by documentation indicating the student’s relationship to the deceased,

     (3)      Involuntary call to active military duty,

     (4)      A situation in which the University is in error as confirmed in writing by an appropriate University official,

     (5)      Other documented exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the student that precluded completion of the course(s) accompanied by letter of explanation and appropriate documentation.

     Students who receive financial aid and subsequently change their enrollment status resulting in a refund in accordance with this subsection may have all or a portion of their refund returned to the University’s financial aid programs in accordance with the Financial Aid Policy on Refunds and Repayments.

Payment of Accounts Due the University

     Charges against students for loss or breakage of University equipment, books, fines and other charges are due immediately. Delinquent accounts may be considered sufficient cause for cancellation of registration. University regulations prohibit registration or release of transcript, diploma, or grades for any student whose account with the University is delinquent. Payments should be brought to the Cashier’s Office, BAY 132, by the appropriate deadline.