FAQ For Residency

Before completing the Residency Affidavit within our Residency Form (pdf provided at the bottom of this page) and presenting the required documents to Suncoast Technical Educational Center (SUNTECH), you need to consider your dependency status. This is important because it determines whose documents you will need to provide to prove residency—yours or your parent's or guardians's. In Florida, students who are under the age of 24, or who will be under he age of 24 when classes begin, are assumed dependent students. Use the checklists below to determine your dependency status.

Dependency Status Checklists:

If you cannot prove that you are a dependent or an independent by checking one of the boxes above in the first column, you may write a letter documenting your circumstances to petition that SUNTECH treat you as an idependent person for establishing residency for tuition purposes. Your letter must be detailed, compelling, and must document the conditions and reasons that you feel you should be treated as an idependent person. Please bring to the Business Office or mail to: Suncoast Technical Education Center, 4057 California Street, Brooksville, FL 34606.

Residency Documentation List

At least two of the following documents must be submitted that are dated, issued or filed 12 months before the first day of classes. At least one of the documents must be from Tier 1. As some evidence is more persuasive than others, more than two may be requested. No single piece of documentation will be considered conclusive. Additionally, there must be an absence of information that contradicts the applicant’s claim of residency.

The burden of providing clear and convincing proof rests with the student, or if the student is a dependent, with his or her parent or guardian. For documents to be “clear and convincing” it must be credible, trustworthy and sufficient to persuade the institution that residency in Florida is not solely for pursuing an education, and that residency in any other states has been relinquished.

All documentation submitted is subject to review and verification.

Tier 1 Documents: At least one of the two documents submitted must be from this list. Both must be dated, issued or filed 12 months before the first day of classes.

• A Florida voter’s registration card.
• A Florida driver’s license.
• A State of Florida identification card.
• A Florida vehicle registration.
• Proof of a permanent home in Florida, which is occupied as the primary residence by the individual or by the individual’s parent if the individual is a dependent child.
• Proof of a homestead exemption in Florida.
• Transcripts from a Florida high school for multiple years (if Florida high school diploma or GED was earned within the last 12 months).
• Proof of permanent full-‐time employment in Florida for at least 30 hours per week for a consecutive 12-‐month period.

Tier 2 Documents: Documents that are dated, issued or filed 12 months before the first day of classes from this list may be used in conjunction with documents from Tier 1.

• A Declaration of Domicile in Florida (12 months from the date the document was sworn and subscribed).
• A Florida professional or occupational license.
• A Florida incorporation.
• Proof of membership in Florida-‐based charitable or professional organization.
• Benefit histories from Florida agencies or public assistance programs.
• Any other documentation that supports the student’s request for resident status (may include utility bills and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments; a lease agreement and proof of 12 consecutive months of payments; or an official state, federal, or court document evidencing legal ties to Florida).

Unacceptable Documents: The following items are not acceptable forms of documentation to establish that one has been living in Florida for 12 consecutive months:

• Birth Certificate
• Social Security card
• Passport
• Shopping Club/Rental Cards
• W-‐2 Form
• Tax Return
• Bank Statements

Download Full Residency Form Here: RESIDENCY FORM