DCF Exemption

Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Exemptions

Florida provides tuition and fee exemptions to eligible young adults. The exemption remains valid until the student reaches 28 years of age. See s. 1009.25(1)(c), F.S.

For questions regarding eligibility or how to obtain a Tuition and Fee Exemption form, CF-FSP 5220, contact your local Community-Based Care Lead Agency or the Office of Continuing Care at 1-850-300-HOPE (1-850-300-4673).

The exemption form originates at the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and only covers students who were in the care of the Florida DCF. It does not cover students who were adopted, wards of the state, or in foster care outside of the state of Florida. For more eligibility information, visit Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Exemptions.

Forms approved by DCF may be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid in Building 2, emailed to financialaid@nfc.edu, or faxed to (850) 973-1696.

The Office of Continuing Care, part of Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity, offers free, one-on-one help for young people who are about to or have recently transitioned out of foster care, aiming to make the leap into adulthood a positive experience. Learn more by visiting the Office of Continuing Care page.

The NFC Liaison for DCF Exemptions is Brooke Turner in the Office of Financial Aid, email Financialaid@nfc.edu.

Homeless Exemption

Florida Student Homeless Verification for Tuition and Fee Exemption Purposes (PDF)

Homeless students may be eligible for exemption from payment of tuition and fees. According to Florida Statute 1009.25 (f), a student who is homeless may be exempt from paying tuition and fees. The statute defines a homeless student as one who “A student who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence or whose primary nighttime residence is a public or private shelter designed to provide temporary residence, a public or private transitional living program, or a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. This includes a student who would otherwise meet the requirements of this paragraph, as determined by a college, but for his or her residence in college dormitory housing.” To apply for the Homeless exemption, complete Form FSH-1, Florida Student Homelessness Verification for Tuition and Fees Exemption Purposes and submit it to the Office of Financial Aid, financialaid@nfc.edu. Additional documentation may be required.

Any student who is determined to be experiencing homelessness for a preceding award year is presumed to be a homeless student for each subsequent year, unless the student informs the institution that the student's circumstances have changed, or the institution has specific information about the student's independence and has informed the student of this information.

Students that are approved for the Homeless Waiver will have the exemption applied to their schedule for the term requested and will be notified via their NFC email account. If the requirements are not met, students will be notified via their NFC email account.

The NFC Liaison for Homeless Students is Brooke Turner in the Office of Financial Aid, email financialaid@nfc.edu.