COP 04-0307: Student Fees Waivers

Purpose Statement

This procedure establishes guidelines for registering students whose fees may be waived from payment in accordance with Florida Statute and Florida SouthWestern State College policy guidelines.

Guidelines

This procedure applies to students who are permitted by Florida Statute and Florida SouthWestern State College policy to have fees waived.

Procedures

1. Fee Waivers
   1. Florida SouthWestern State College Student
      Florida Statute (FS) §1009.26 permits the college to waive a student's fees provided the student is not otherwise exempt from the payment of fees (see College Administrative Procedure 6008 - Student Fee Exemptions). A student whose fees are waived in excess of the amount authorized annually, if any, in the General Appropriations Act may not be included in calculations of full-time equivalent enrollments for state funding purposes.
   2. Spouses of Deceased State Employees
      In accordance with FS §1009.26 the spouse of a deceased state employee is entitled, when eligible for the payment of student fees by the state as employer pursuant to §440.16, in lieu of such payment, to a full waiver of student fees for up to 80 semester hours in any community college.
   3. Florida National Guard
      FS §1009.26 permits fees to be waived for certain members of the active Florida National Guard pursuant to §250.10(8). One-half of the cost of tuition and fees may be waived for a member in good standing of the active Florida National Guard, over 17 years of age, resides in Florida, maintains participation in the active National Guard and agrees in writing to serve in the active Florida National Guard for three (3) years after completion of studies.
   4. Purple Heart
      Pursuant to FS §1009.26 the College shall waive undergraduate tuition for each recipient of a Purple Heart or another combat decoration superior in precedence. The waiver is applicable to 110 percent of the number of required credit hours of the degree or certificate program for which the student is enrolled.
   5. State Employee Fee Waiver
      FS §1009.265 permits as a benefit to the employer and employees of the state, subject to approval by an employee’s agency head or the equivalent, each state university and community college to waive tuition and fees for state employees who enroll for up to 6 credit hours of courses per term on a space available basis. For purposes of this section, employees include employees of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the state government, except for persons employed by a state university.
   6. Children of Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty
      FS §112.19 (3) states that if a law enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer is accidentally killed as specified in paragraph (2)(b) on or after June 22, 1990, or unlawfully and intentionally killed as specified in paragraph (2)(c) on or after July 1, 1980, the state shall waive certain educational expenses that the child or spouse of the deceased officer incurs while obtaining a career certificate, an undergraduate education, or a postgraduate education. The amount waived by the state shall be an amount equal to the cost of tuition and matriculation and registration fees for a total of 120 credit hours. The benefits provided to a child under this subsection shall continue until the child's 25th birthday. The benefits provided to a spouse under this subsection must commence within 5 years after the death occurs, and entitlement thereto shall continue until the 10th anniversary of that death.
   7. Children of Fire Fighters Killed in the Line of Duty
      FS §112.191 (3) state that if a fire fighter is accidentally killed as specified in paragraph (2)(b) on or after June 22, 1990, or unlawfully and intentionally killed as specified in paragraph (2)(c), on or after July 1, 1980, the state shall waive certain educational expenses that the child or spouse of the deceased fire fighter incurs while obtaining a career certificate, an undergraduate education, or a postgraduate education. The amount waived by the state shall be an amount equal to the cost of tuition and matriculation and registration fees for a total of 120 credit hours. The benefits provided to a child under this subsection shall continue until the child's 25th birthday. The benefits provided to a spouse under this subsection must commence within 5 years after the death occurs, and entitlement thereto shall continue until the 10th anniversary of that death.
   8. Wrongful Incarceration
      FS §961.06 allows a waiver of tuition and fees for up to 120 hours of instruction at any college if the wrongfully incarcerated person meets and maintains the regular admission requirements college, and makes satisfactory academic progress as defined by the educational institution in which the claimant is enrolled.
2. Cashier
   The Cashier’s Office will apply the waiver to the student's balance due based on proper documentation presented.
3. Office of Financial Services
   The Office of Financial Services will report for funding, if applicable, the amounts for all fees waived on the appropriate AFR schedules.