Tuition Waivers and Exemptions
For questions regarding Undergraduate Admission Tuition Deposit Waiver, please visit here.
Pursuant to F.S. 1009.26, F.S. 1009.265, F.S. 1009.25 and Board of Governors Rule 7.008, FAU is authorized to waive tuition and associated fees for the categories listed below. Please follow the instructions listed within each waiver category to submit a waiver application should you meet ALL the corresponding criteria.
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Please Note: Tuition waivers are posted by the last day to add/drop for each term (excluding the Programs of Strategic Emphasis Waiver). Students with approved waivers, are granted a deferred date to pay any balances not covered by their waiver. The Tuition and Billing Office does not provide waivers for application fees. For questions regarding state mandated waivers and exemptions please contact the Universitys Waiver Liaison:
Shanett Brown
waivers@fau.edu
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According to , some students who were in DCF custody, adopted, in a relatives custody or placed in court guardianship may be exempted from paying tuition and fees at 勛圖厙 College System institutions.泭
I want to attend a 勛圖厙 College System institution. How do I know if I am eligible for this exemption?
You could be eligible for the fee exemption if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You were in the custody of DCF when you turned 18.
- You were adopted from DCF after May 5, 1997.
- You were in the custody of a relative or non-relative when you reached the age of 18.
- You were placed in a guardianship by the court after reaching age 16 and spent at least 6 months in the custody of DCF.
What does the exemption cover?
This exemption covers tuition and fees only. This means that you will be required to pay other costs associated with college, such as textbooks, housing, and food. The exemption remains valid until the student reaches 28 years of age.泭
Section泭 , 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:泭
- Be a 勛圖厙 resident for tuition purpose as defined by 勛圖厙 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泭 .
Dual Enrollment is a program that allows eligible high school students to earn credit toward high school graduation and future college degree programs. Credits earned through Dual Enrollment will be applied to the students high school transcript and FAU transcript.
More Information
Out-of-state first-year undergraduate students admitted for the 2022-23 academic year may qualify for a Non-Resident fee waiver if their grandparents maintains legal residence in 勛圖厙.
Policies for the Grandparent Waiver are maintained by the泭. Freshman applicants may apply for the waiver after submitting the application for admission. Students who qualify for 勛圖厙 residency should not seek this waiver.
Students泭MUST泭meet the following requirements to be eligible for the grandparent waiver:
- The student must have a grandparent who has a legal relationship to a students parent as the natural or adopted parent or legal guardian of the students parent.
- The grandparent must be a legal resident of 勛圖厙 as defined in泭(Grandparent 勛圖厙 Residency Declaration).
- 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 勛圖厙 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 bachelors 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.
- Student must achieve
- An SAT combined score of 1340 or greater;泭OR
- An ACT composite score of 29;泭OR
- A CLT score of 96.
Awarding:
- Students must be offered admission to 勛圖厙
- Students complete the泭.
- Admissions office will review the initial eligibility. If eligible, students will be prompted to have the grandparent complete residency verification via the泭.
- 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 勛圖厙 merit-based scholarships) with the grandparent waiver.
Fees Covered:
Tuition and associated fees.
Please complete the Homeless Verification form on泭 , so that we may begin the process of finding resources to assist you. For more information, contact the Dean of Students at 561-297-3542
- This certificate shall provide for waiver of the basic fee (as defined in Regulation 7.001). Eligible recipients of an Intern Participation Certificate may be identified by a university as a person who engages in the direct supervision of at least one university intern for 300 contact hours, which may be accumulated over multiple semesters provided at least 100 contact hours of direct supervision is provided per semester.
- Certificate holders are entitled to a waiver of tuition for a maximum of six (6) hours credit instruction (including credit through continuing education) during a single term at any state university. The unused credits from a certificate are non-transferrable. Certificates shall be valid for three (3) years from date of issuance.
- To be eligible for a Certificate, the internship program must be an essential part of the course of instruction and must be required as part of the degree.
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 tuitions 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 勛圖厙, you will need to submit the award letter to waivers@fau.edu by the terms 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 semesters 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 勛圖厙, you will need to contact University of 勛圖厙 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 Controllers Office at 勛圖厙.
- Brazil:
- Costa Rica:
- Caribbean:
- Canada:
- Japan:
- France:
- Israel: 勛圖厙/Broward Community College
- West Africa:
- Eastern Europe:
- Mexico:
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.
Pursuant to泭泭and泭, FAU is authorized to waive the out-of-state fee for students who meet the required criteria.
Effective July 1, 2025, a student must be a citizen of the United States or lawfully present in the United States to qualify for the Non-Resident Tuition Waiver. This change is effective for the FAUs Fall 2025 term. Students that currently receive this waiver, and new students that are seeking to receive this waiver, must now泭demonstrate United States citizenship or lawful presence in the United States, in addition to meeting the criteria set forth below:
- Attended a high school in the state of 勛圖厙 for 3 consecutive years; and
- Graduated from a 勛圖厙 high school immediately after those 3 years of consecutive attendance; and
- Applied for enrollment in a state university, 勛圖厙 College System institution, or 勛圖厙 career center or charter technical career center in 勛圖厙 within 24 months after high school graduation; and
- Submit an official 勛圖厙 high school transcript as evidence of attendance and graduation
To demonstrate United States citizenship, U.S. citizens must provide a valid U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization.
To demonstrate lawful presence, Non-U.S. citizens must provide:
Current, valid, and unexpired immigration documents (for example: permanent resident card, or other immigration category documents such as immigration letter, visa document, employment authorization card) each semester.泭
To be eligible for the out-of-state fee waiver, the provided documentation must be valid and unexpired through the end of term for which the waiver is applied.
Decisions for this waiver are made pursuant to泭泭and泭. The waiver is only available for up to 110% of the required credits hours of an undergraduate degree or certificate program for which the student is enrolled and will not be applied retroactively.
The waiver is only applied to courses which are assessed regular tuition. Flat-fee, market rate, self-supporting and other similar courses set-up with different tuition and fee structures are not covered by the waiver. Additionally, this waiver cannot be applied to non-degree work or graduate degrees. Home school education students are not eligible to receive this waiver.
Receipt of this out-of-state fee waiver does泭NOT泭constitute classification as a 勛圖厙 resident for tuition purposes. Students who receive this waiver remain classified as non-勛圖厙 residents for tuition purposes and are NOT eligible for state financial aid.
If you have any questions, please contact
ugresidency@fau.edu
or call 561-297-3040
What is the Online Free Seats program?
In 2021, the 勛圖厙 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 勛圖厙 resident for tuition purpose as defined by 勛圖厙 Statute 1009.21;
- Not have earned a bachelors degree;
- Be enrolled in an online bachelors degree program;
- Be a United States veteran, active duty member of the United States armed forces, active drilling member in the 勛圖厙 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 勛圖厙 standard high school diploma, a high school diploma comparable to a 勛圖厙 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)
- Sociology (BA)
- Sociology; concentration in Health, Health Care and Social Services (HHCS)
College of Business
- Accounting (BBA)
- Economics; concentration in Business Economics (BBA)
- Finance (BBA)
- General Business (BA) *Effective Summer 2026
- Health Administration (BHS)
- Hospitality and Tourism Management (BBA)
- Management: General; concentration in Leadership and Applied Management Skills (BBA)
- Marketing: General (BBA)
- Management Information Systems (BBA); Concentration in Business Analytics (MISB) and Cybersecurity (MISC)
- Pre-Business; concentration in Accounting
- Pre-Business; concentration in General Business *Effective Summer 2026
- Pre-Business; concentration in Economics
- Pre-Business; concentration in Finance
- Pre-Business; concentration in Health Administration
- Pre-Business; concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Pre-Business; concentration in Management: General
- Pre-Business; concentration in Management Information Systems
- 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)
- Professional Studies (BPS)泭 泭 泭 泭 泭 泭 泭 泭 泭 泭
What does the Online Free Seats program cover?
The waiver will cover the cost of tuition and fees for one online course in the students 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泭not泭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 students primary online program are eligible for the waiver and discount. 泭
Is there a limit to the number of courses that will be covered?
Yes. 泭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. 泭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. 泭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泭. 泭Please note that if you are not a 勛圖厙 resident for tuition purposes, have already earned a bachelors 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 勛圖厙 National Guard to provide supporting documentation to document their status.
How many free seats are available?
The 勛圖厙 State Legislature approved 1,000 free seats annually to all universities within the 勛圖厙 public system. 泭FAUs 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. 泭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 勛圖厙 National Guard must send the泭泭to their Unit Commanding Officer. 泭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 students status.
If I am granted participation in the Online Free Seats program, how do I maintain continued eligibility?
- 泭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. 泭There is no guarantee that the student will regain eligibility.
- Students who are active drilling members of the 勛圖厙 National Guard must submit a new the泭泭to FAUs Military and Veterans Student Success each semester demonstrating that they are still active drilling.
Can waiver/discount be used for transient work outside of FAU?泭
No. 泭Courses covered by the program must be taken at FAU.
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Important Annoucement: Changes to the Programs of Strategic Emphasis Waiver. Understand the New Changes here
What is the Programs of Strategic Emphasis waiver?
In 2021, the 勛圖厙 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 勛圖厙 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 勛圖厙 public postsecondary institution;
- Be enrolled in one of eleven programs of strategic emphasis as determined by the 勛圖厙 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 勛圖厙 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 students 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. 泭
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. 泭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. 泭
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.泭
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泭not泭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. 泭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 bachelors degree in one of the approved programs?
No. The waiver program is only available to students who are pursuing their first bachelors 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 勛圖厙 resident for tuition purposes:泭泭If a student is not classified as a 勛圖厙 resident for tuition purposes, the student would need to contact Undergraduate Admission if it is their first semester of enrollment or the Registrars 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 勛圖厙 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 勛圖厙 public postsecondary institution towards a baccalaureate degree within 2 academic years after initial enrollment at a 勛圖厙 public postsecondary institution:泭泭If a student believes that they do meet this requirement, they can submit an泭泭to have the information reviewed.
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Under 勛圖厙 Statute Title X, Chapter 112, 112.19(3), and , FAU may waive tuition and related fees for up to 120 credit hours for the spouse and/or children of eligible individuals killed in the line of duty.
Important Details:
-
Child: The tuition waiver lasts until the childs 25th birthday.
-
Spouse: The benefit must be used within 5 years of the individual's death, with entitlement lasting until the 10th anniversary.
Eligible Dependents Include:
-
Law Enforcement, Correctional, or Probation Officers Employed by the State or Political Subdivision [勛圖厙 Statutes, Title X, Chapter 112, 112.19(3)]
-
Firefighters Employed by the State or a Political Subdivision [勛圖厙 Statutes, Title X, Chapter 112, 112.1911(3)]
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Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics Employed by the State or Political Subdivision [勛圖厙 Statutes, Title X, Chapter 112, 112.1912(3)]
-
Teachers or School Administrators Employed by a 勛圖厙 District school Board[勛圖厙 Statutes, Title X, Chapter 112, 112.1915(3)]
-
Active Duty U.S. Armed Forces Members [勛圖厙 Statutes, Title X, Chapter 112, 112.1915(3)]
Eligible students should submit a Letter of Verification on letterhead from a superior official or Human Resources Department from the deceased individual's employer. The verification letter should include all pertinent information as it relates to the statutes as well as student name, Z number, date of birth, etc. Please submit letter to waivers@fau.edu.
Pursuant to泭 and
泭FAU is authorized to waive in-state tuition up to 6 credit hours for students who are employed by the State of 勛圖厙. 勛圖厙 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.泭
How Do I Apply?
Students must complete and submit the State Employee Tuition Waiver Form to statewaivers@fau.edu no later than the first add/drop date for the semester of intended use.泭
IMPORTANT: Confirm the date that you are allowed to register.泭You will be responsible for all course tuition and fees if you register prior to the State Employee registration day.泭
Fees Covered:
Tuition and associated fees up to 120 credit hours of an undergraduate or postgraduate education program.
Restrictions:
The wrongfully incarcerated person meets and maintains the regular admission requirement of the University.
The student remains registered and makes satisfactory academic progress as defined by the University.
Required Documentation:
The student needs to submit proof that the felony conviction was vacated by the court and the original sentencing court has issued its order finding that the person neither committed the act, nor did aid, abet or act as an accomplice or accessory to the act or offense.The forms must be submitted to the Tuition and Billing Office by the payment deadline for the term as noted on the University Academic Calendar.