Tuition Waivers and Exemptions

Section  295.011, F.S., establishes a fee waiver for disabled veterans who are enrolled in a postsecondary program AND receive educational assistance under the GI Bill but who do not qualify for the 100 percent eligibility tier federally. These students are eligible to receive a waiver in the amount that is the difference between the portion of tuition and fees authorized under federal law and the full amount of tuition and fees charged by the institution attended.

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

• Be a Florida resident for tuition purpose as defined by Florida Statute 1009.21;
• Determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to have a service-connected 100-percent total and permanent disability rating for compensation; or
• Issued a valid identification card by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in accordance with  s. 295.17.

Submit the application here.

Beginning with out-of-state undergraduate first-year students admitted for the 2022-23 academic year, students with grandparents residing in Florida may be eligible for a tuition and fee waiver of the Non-Resident (out-of-state) fee.

Policies for the Grandparent Waiver are maintained by the Board of Governors of the State University System. Freshman applicants may apply for the waiver after submitting the application for admission. Students who qualify for Florida residency should not seek this waiver.

Students MUST meet the following requirements to be eligible for the grandparent waiver:

1. The student must have a grandparent who has a legal relationship to a student’s parent as the natural or adopted parent or legal guardian of the student’s parent.
2. The grandparent must be a legal resident of Florida as defined in Florida Statue Section 1009.21(Grandparent Florida Residency Declaration).
3. Apply as a freshman to be a full-time undergraduate student for the summer or fall term immediately following earning a high school diploma comparable to a Florida standard high school diploma, or its equivalent, or completes a home education program.
   • Student must be continuously enrolled full-time (minimum 12 credits) at the end of drop/add every fall and spring term until the requirements for the bachelor’s degree have been completed.
   • Summer enrollment is not required, but eligible students may use their waiver during summer enrollment.
   • If a student enrolls part-time, the grandparent waiver eligibility will be lost.
   • The grandparent waiver is applicable for up to 110 percent of the number of required credit hours (i.e., total degree hours) of the degree program for which the student is enrolled.
4. Student must achieve
   • An SAT combined score of 1340 or greater; OR
   • An ACT composite score of 29; OR
   • A CLT score of 96.

Awarding:

• Students must be offered admission to Florida Atlantic University
• Students complete the Grandparent Waiver Application.
• Admissions office will review the initial eligibility. If eligible, students will be prompted to have the grandparent complete residency verification via the Owlres portal.
• Students will be “awarded” a grandparent waiver on a first-come, first-served basis on the date a student pays the $200 Admissions deposit or submits a deposit fee waiver.
• Scholarships awarded by the Office of Admissions are not stackable (cannot be combined with other admissions merit-based scholarships) with the grandparent waiver.

A linkage institute waiver is an agreement between the state universities/community colleges and foreign countries. The foreign country agrees to pay the out of state tuition’s portion on behalf of the student from its country.

The student who has been granted the Linkage Institute award will receive a letter from the appropriate linkage institute. The student will need to submit the award letter to the university/community college of attendance. For those students who are attending Florida Atlantic University, you will need to submit the award letter to waivers@zzweifeng.com by the term’s last day to add/drop classes to avoid a late payment fee. Once we have received the letter, we will make an adjustment to your student account. The student is responsible to pay the balance by the semester’s last day to pay for students receiving a state waiver to avoid a late payment fee.

Below is a list of state universities/community colleges that process the application of the linkage institute tuition waiver for a particular country. For example, if you are from Brazil and attending Florida Atlantic University, you will need to contact University of Florida or Miami-Date Community College to apply for the linkage institute Tuition Waivers. Once you have been granted the tuition waiver, you will need to submit the award letter to the Controller’s Office at Florida Atlantic University.

• Brazil: University of Florida/Miami Dade College
• Costa Rica: Florida State University
• Caribbean: Florida International University/Daytona Beach Community College
• Canada: University of Central Florida
• Japan: University of West Florida
• France: University of South Florida
• Israel: Florida Atlantic University/Broward Community College
• West Africa: University of North Florida
• Eastern Europe: University of Central Florida
• Mexico: Florida International University

Undergraduate Waivers:
Students should contact the Undergraduate Department for information regarding undergraduate waivers.

Graduate Waivers:
Students should contact their respective departments for information regarding the graduate waivers.

What is the Online Free Seats program?

In 2021, the Florida State Legislature implemented the Online Free Seat program. This waiver/discount program is for students who meet specific eligibility requirements and are enrolled in an online baccalaureate degree program. To be eligible for the waiver/discount, a student must:

• Be a Florida resident for tuition purpose as defined by Florida Statute 1009.21;
• Not have earned a bachelor’s degree;
• Be enrolled in an online bachelor’s degree program;
• Be a United States veteran, active duty member of the United States armed forces, active drilling member in the Florida National Guard, or a non-traditional student.

What is a non-traditional student?

The state has defined a non-traditional student as “a student who has earned a Florida standard high school diploma, a high school diploma comparable to a Florida standard high school diploma, or its equivalent, or completed a home education program, and has been out of high school or home education program for at least 5 years. A nontraditional student must not have been enrolled in a postsecondary institution in the last 5 years.”

Which undergraduate degree programs/majors are eligible under the Online Free Seats program?

The following online programs of study are currently eligible for the program:

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

• Interdisciplinary Studies (BA)
• Interdisciplinary Studies; concentration in Arts and Humanities (BA)
• Interdisciplinary Studies; concentration in Social Science (BA)
• Public Management (PBM)
• Public Safety Administration; concentration in Disaster Management (BPSA)
• Public Safety Administration; concentration in Law Enforcement/Corrections (BPSA)

College of Business

• Accounting (BBA)
• Economics; concentration in Business Economics (BBA)
• Finance (BBA)
• Hospitality and Tourism Management (BBA)
• Management: General; concentration in Leadership and Applied Management Skills (BBA)
• Marketing: General (BBA)
• Pre-Business; concentration in Accounting
• Pre-Business; concentration in Economics
• Pre-Business; concentration in Finance
• Pre-Business; concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Pre-Business; concentration in Management: General
• Pre-Business; concentration in Marketing: General

College of Engineering and Computer Science

• Computer Science (BSCS)

Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

• Nursing: Registered Nurse (BSN)

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

• Geosciences: concentration in Geography (BA)
• Exercise Science and Health Promotion: Exercise Physiology (BS)

College of Social Work and Criminal Justice

• Criminal Justice (BA)

Undergraduate Studies

• Professional Studies (BPS)                   

What does the Online Free Seats program cover?

The waiver will cover the cost of tuition and fees for one online course in the student’s first semester of enrollment in the Online Free Seat program. For all remaining courses in the approved program, students will be granted a 25% discount on the tuition for said courses.

What fees are covered?

The following fees are waived for the one online course:

• Student Financial Aid Fee
• Capital Improvement Fee
• Health Fee
• Athletic Fee
• Activity and Service Fee
• Technology Fee
• Tuition Differential
• Distance Learning Fee
• Other fees approved by the Board of Governors pursuant to Regulation 7.003(24).

The following fees are not covered under this waiver: Transportation Access Fee, Owl Card Fee, Lab Fees and Material and Supply Fees.

For all other courses in which the student received the discount, the discount is only applicable to the tuition and tuition differential, not any fees.

Can the waiver/discount be used for courses associated with a second major, second degree, minor, or concentration?

Only courses required for a student’s primary online program are eligible for the waiver and discount.  

Is there a limit to the number of courses that will be covered?

Yes.  In addition to the courses being applicable to the qualified online degree/major, the discount applies for up to 110% of the total number of credits required for the degree.  Please note that credits earned through transfer coursework or accelerated mechanisms count towards the 110% limit.

Are there other restrictions to the waiver and/or discount?

Yes.  The waiver and/or discount cannot be applied if the student has other waivers, 3rd party contracts, and/or scholarships that are applied towards their tuition and fees.

How do I submit an application to the program?

To apply for the Online Free Seat program, you must submit the Online Free Seat application.  Please note that if you are not a Florida resident for tuition purposes, have already earned a bachelor’s degree, and/or are not enrolled in an approved online baccalaureate degree program, the system will not allow you to proceed with an application.

The application will require U.S. veterans, active duty member of the U.S. armed forces, and active drilling member in the Florida National Guard to provide supporting documentation to document their status.

How many ‘free seats’ are available?

The Florida State Legislature approved 1,000 free seats annually to all universities within the Florida public system.  FAU’s initial allocation for the 2021-2022 academic year is 82 slots. Acceptance into the program requires that students submit the application and supply any supplemental documentation required.  Eligibility for the program is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Do I need to submit any supporting documentation with my application?

Yes, the following documentation is required:

• U.S. veterans must submit a copy of their DD214-4;
• Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces must submit their most current orders;
• Active drilling member in the Florida National Guard must send the Verification of Active Drilling Status to their Unit Commanding Officer.  The Unit Commander Officer must complete and return the form to FAU.

An application is considered incomplete without the required supporting documentation. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed nor be given priority placement for the program enrollment.

For students who indicate qualification based upon the non-traditional student designation, the Office of the Registrar will review the academic history and National Student Clearinghouse database to validate the student’s status.

If I am granted participation in the Online Free Seats program, how do I maintain continued eligibility?

•  Students must enroll at least part-time in the degree applicable courses during each academic year.
• Students who change their program of study to a non-approved degree/major automatically lose their eligibility for the program. Should the student re-enroll in an eligible program at a later time, the student would have to submit a new application to participate in the program.  There is no guarantee that the student will regain eligibility.
• Students who are active drilling members of the Florida National Guard must submit a new the Verification of Active Drilling Status to FAU’s Military and Veteran’s Student Success each semester demonstrating that they are still active drilling.

Can waiver/discount be used for transient work outside of FAU? 

No.  Courses covered by the program must be taken at FAU.

 

What is the Programs of Strategic Emphasis waiver?

In 2021, the Florida legislature implemented the Select STEM Waiver program. Students enrolled at FAU and other SUS institutions may receive a 50 percent discount waiver for tuition and applicable fees for upper-division courses required in select programs of strategic emphasis during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. In 2022, the program was retitled to Programs of Strategic Emphasis as two non-STEM programs were added. To be eligible for the waiver, a student must:

• Be a Florida resident for tuition purposes
• Has earned at least 60 semester credit hours towards a baccalaureate degree within two academic years after initial enrollment at a Florida public postsecondary institution;
• Be enrolled in one of eleven programs of strategic emphasis as determined by the Florida Board of Governors (BOG).

Which FAU majors/degree programs are eligible for the Programs of Strategic Emphasis Waiver?

Of the twelve programs approved by the Florida BOG, FAU offers the following eleven majors/degrees:

College of Business

• Accounting (BBA or BS)
• Finance (BBA or BS)
• Management Information Systems (BBA or BS)

College of Engineering & Computer Science

• Civil Engineering (BSCV)
• Computer Engineering (BSCE)
• Computer Science (BACS, BSCS, or BS)
• Electrical Engineering (BSEE)
• Mechanical Engineering (BSME)

College of Science

• Mathematics (BA or BS)

College of Education

• Elementary Education (BA and BAE)
• Exceptional Student Education: ESOL Endorsement (BA and BAE)

* Beginning in the 2024-25 academic year, Physics will no longer be included in the list of approved programs. Students who have previously been granted the waiver for Physic will continue receiving the waiver until they graduate, exceed the number of allowable credit hours, or withdraw from the program.

Students enrolled in Pre-Engineering or Pre-Business with concentrations that lead to one of the majors/degrees listed above do not qualify for the waiver program. Students may qualify once all requirements for the pre-major have been completed and the college has admitted the student into one of the designated majors/degrees.

Do credits earned from accelerated mechanisms count toward the 60-credit requirement?

Credits earned through accelerated mechanisms, such as AP, CLEP, IB, or AICE can count towards the 60-credit requirement as long as earned prior to the first day of a student’s enrollment at the state university system. Dual high school credits applicable to the 60-credit requirement do not need to meet the two-year time frame.  

What courses are covered with the Programs of Strategic Emphasis Waiver?

All 3000- and 4000-level courses that are required for program of study are eligible for the waiver. The waiver does not cover lower-division (1000- and 2000- level) or graduate courses (5000- or 6000-level) even if those courses are applicable to the degree.

Are courses associated with a minor, certificate, dual major, or dual degree program covered by the waiver?

No, only courses that are required for the primary Programs of Strategic Emphasis major will be covered.  If, however, a course for the minor, certificate, dual major, or dual degree is also applicable/required for the primary major/degree that qualifies for the waiver.

Is there a limit to the number of courses that will be covered?

Yes. In addition to the courses being applicable to the qualified majors/degrees, the waivers stop once a student has reached 110% of the total number of credits required for the degree. The 110 percent will be calculated in the same way as other existing waivers. For example, 110% of total degree hours (includes credits taken for major and minor). Accelerated credits count towards the 110 percent limitation specified in the statute.

What costs will the waiver program cover?

The waiver will cover the cost of tuition and fees for 50% of all required upper-division coursework taken during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. Students are responsible for 100% of tuition and fees for courses taken that are not covered by the waiver program.  

Are there other restrictions to the waiver and/or discount?
Yes.  The waiver and/or discount cannot be applied if the student has other statutory waivers. Students receiving the STEM waiver will have their 3rd party contracts and/or scholarships that are applied towards their tuition and fees reduced.

Are courses taken during the Summer covered by the program?

Effective Summer 2023, required courses taken during the Summer semester are covered by the waiver program.

What fees are covered?

The following fees are covered:

• Student Financial Aid Fee
• Capital Improvement Fee
• Health Fee
• Athletic Fee;
• Activity and Service Fee
• Technology Fee
• Other fees approved by the Board of Governors pursuant to Regulation 7.003(24)
• Tuition Differential
• Transportation fees
• Distance learning fees (eLearning Fees)
• Facilities fees
• Lab fees/equipment fees/material and supply fees
• Student life/Student affairs fee

The following fees are not covered under this waiver: Owl Card Fee and Lecture Capture/Video Stream Fees.

Can the waiver be used for transient work at another institution or for Study Abroad programs?

The waiver must be used at FAU for FAU coursework.  If a Study Abroad program is FAU faculty led and consists of FAU courses, the waiver may be applicable.

Can a student receive the waiver if pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in one of the approved programs?

No. The waiver program is only available to students who are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.

If a student is deemed not eligible for the waiver program, can they appeal that decision?

Possibly. There are three main criteria for the waiver program

• Must be a Florida resident for tuition purposes:  If a student is not classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, the student would need to contact Undergraduate Admission if it is their first semester of enrollment or the Registrar’s Office if they are a continuing student to discuss their residency.
• Must be enrolled in an eligible major/degree: The nine Strategic Emphasis majors were designated by the Florida Board of Governors. A student must be enrolled in one of these majors/degrees to be eligible for the program. Students who wish to enroll in one of the eligible programs would need to contact their academic advisor.
• Has earned at least 60 semester credit hours from a Florida public postsecondary institution towards a baccalaureate degree within 2 academic years after initial enrollment at a Florida public postsecondary institution:  If a student believes that they do meet this requirement, they can submit an Eligibility Appeal to have the information reviewed.

 

Pursuant to F.S. 1009.265 and Board of Governors Rule 7.008, FAU is authorized to waive in-state tuition up to 6 credit hours for students who are employed by the State of Florida. Florida Statute Title XLVIII Chapter 1009 Section 265 stipulates that the State Employee Tuition Fee Waiver program is available on a space-available basis. Visit here for specific registration dates. 

How Do I Apply?
Students must complete and submit the State Employee Tuition Waiver Form to statewaivers@zzweifeng.com no later than the first add/drop date for the semester of intended use. 

IMPORTANT: Confirm the date that you are allowed to register. You will be responsible for all course tuition and fees if you register prior to the State Employee registration day.