Student Accounting

Dept of Children and Family Services Tuition Waivers

Please note: The waivers listed below can not be used to cover non-instructional Study Abroad fees.  Excess Hour and Repeat Course Surcharges are also not covered.

ELIGIBILITY

A student is eligible for the DCF tuition waiver if the student was the subject of a shelter proceeding, a dependency proceeding, or a termination of parental rights proceeding, and:

  1. Is, or was at the time he or she reached 18 years of age, in out-of-home care.

  2. Is, or was at the time he or she reached 18 years of age, in the custody of a relative or nonrelative pursuant to ss. 39.5085 or 39.6225, F.S.

  3. After spending at least six months in the custody of DCF after reaching 16 years of age, was placed in a guardianship by the court.

  4. After reaching 14 years of age and thereafter spending at least 18 months in out-of-home care, was reunited with his or her parent or parents who were the subject of the dependency proceeding before he or she reaches 18 years of age, including a student who is reunited under s. 39.8155, F.S. For a student to be eligible under this subparagraph, the student must be Pell Grant-eligible, and the entity imposing the tuition and fees must verify such eligibility.

  5. Was adopted from DCF after May 5, 1997.

  6. Was placed in a permanent guardianship, regardless of whether the caregiver participates or participated in the Relative Caregiver Program under s. 39.5085, F.S., and remains in such guardianship until the student either reaches 18 years of age or, if before reaching 18 years of age, he or she enrolls in an eligible institution

The waiver remains valid until the student reaches 28 years of age.  The waiver can be used for qualified undergraduate, graduate and professional level courses.  Students who are eligible should contact their state agency to get the DCF waiver form. More information can be found on DCF- My FL Families

SUBMITTAL DATES

Your signed DCF form needs to be submitted no later than the payment deadline date of the first semester you have registered for courses at USF. The deadline submission dates can be found on https://www.usf.edu/business-finance/controller/student-services/student-accounting/waivers.aspx

Submission of your documentation may begin on:

  • Fall semester- August 1st
  • Spring semester- December 1st
  • Summer semester (all sessions)- May 1st

WHERE TO SUBMIT FORMS/DOCUMENTS

Your DCF waiver document only needs to be submitted the first term you are enrolled at USF. If you submit your documentation but do not register for classes, you will need to re-submit the form the next term you register. 

  • In Person: Tampa Campus, SVC 1039

  • Mail: UCO-Student Accounting
              ATTN: Amy Murray
              University of South Florida
              4202 E. Fowler Ave SVC1039
              Tampa, FL 33620

  • Email: TuitionWaiver@usf.edu , please attach your paperwork in PDF format and include your USF ID in the subject line.

If you submit documentation to any other department, it will not be processed.