Florida Revoked In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students. What Are Their Options Now?
Credit: Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel / Tribune News Service / Getty Images- Undocumented college students in Florida will lose access to in-state tuition rates beginning in the 2025-26 academic year.
- Students may look to public community colleges due to the cheaper tuition rates.
- Scholarships and grants aimed at undocumented students may help offset higher costs.
- Many experts suggest using private student loans as a last resort.
Undocumented Floridians will be forced to pay out-of-state tuition for the first time in over a decade later this year.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping immigration bill into law Feb. 13 that revoked the state’s in-state tuition waiver for many undocumented college students. The move will force thousands of students reportedly relying on the waiver to reevaluate their college plans beginning July 1, according to the new law.
Students could previously benefit from the waiver if they attended high school in the state for at least three years and enrolled in a college or university within two years of graduating high school. The state passed the waiver in 2014 with bipartisan support, but lawmakers who previously approved the 2014 measure say it has now “run its course,” according to the Miami Herald.
In Florida, out-of-state tuition and fees can be more than four times as expensive as in-state costs.
Students benefiting from the waiver will have limited options moving forward. Here are some ways they can work around the issue, starting with the 2025-26 academic year:
Compare Out-of-State Tuition Across Institutions
Out-of-state tuition is more expensive than in-state tuition at virtually every public institution across the state. However, the discrepancy may vary from school to school.
Here are some of the in-state versus out-of-state tuition costs at some of Florida’s largest public institutions:
| College/University | In-State Tuition and Fees, Per Credit Hour | Out-of-State Tuition and Fees, Per Credit Hour | Institution Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida | $212.67 | $955.27 | Public university |
| Florida State University | $215.55 | $721.10 | Public university |
| Florida International University | $205.57 | $618.87 | Public university |
| University of Central Florida | $212.64 | $749.29 | Public university |
| Miami Dade College | $129.89 | $535.97 | Community college |
| Broward College | $130.89 | $589.45 | Community college |
| Hillsborough Community College* | $208.78 | $759.22 | Community college |
| Palm Beach State College | $122.85 | $558.00 | Community college |
| Valencia College | $112.19 | $427.59 | Community college |
Out-of-state tuition tends to be significantly cheaper for bachelor’s students enrolled at any of the state’s community colleges.
Florida is one of a handful of states in the U.S. where college students can earn a bachelor’s degree at a community college. All 28 of the Florida College System institutions offer at least one bachelor’s degree program.
Private colleges and universities in Florida tend to charge the same rate for both in-state and out-of-state students. Baccalaureate programs at private schools tend to be more expensive than those at public institutions.
Look at Institutions Outside of Florida
One of the primary benefits of attending a college or university in your home state is the lower tuition costs. However, if undocumented students can’t access in-state tuition in Florida, they may want to look at schools outside of the state.
Out-of-state tuition rates vary by state and institution.
West Texas A&M University is an example of an outlier university that may interest undocumented students. Out-of-state students pay just $57.07 more per credit hour than in-state students at West Texas A&M.
Across public institutions in 2024-25, out-of-state tuition was 165% more expensive, on average, than in-state tuition, according to the Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2024 report from the College Board.
Private universities were 273% more expensive, on average, than in-state tuition at public universities.
Secure Private Funding
Undocumented students may need to secure outside funding to make up the price difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.
State Financial Aid
Only U.S. citizens qualify for federal financial aid.
That means undocumented college students, even those enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, won’t have access to programs like the Pell Grant or federal student loans. This limits their funding options.
According to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, 19 states and Washington, D.C., grant undocumented students access to state financial aid.
The states geographically closest to Florida that extend state financial aid to undocumented students include Texas, Illinois, and Virginia. According to the portal, other large states with comprehensive state aid policies include New York and California.
Private University Institutional Aid
Most of Florida’s large private colleges and universities do not offer institutional aid to noncitizen students.
The University of Miami’s U Dreamers Program is an exception. This scholarship program extends to both DACA-eligible and non-DACA undocumented students.
Both first-year undergraduate students and transfer students can qualify for U Dreamers.
Awards are based on the “demonstrated financial need for admitted students.” Funds can be used to cover tuition, fees, food, housing, books, transportation, and other personal expenses, according to the university.
Scholarships, Grants
There are some scholarships specifically for undocumented students.
One such scholarship is the Opportunity Scholarship from TheDream.US. This scholarship applies to students living in states that don’t offer in-state tuition to undocumented students, but those students must attend any of the following five partner colleges in another state:
- Christian Brothers University
- Delaware State University
- Dominican University
- Eastern Connecticut State University
- Trinity Washington University
The HOLA at Microsoft Scholarship applies only to Hispanic students covered by DACA. Microsoft distributes 13 scholarships totaling $85,000 each year through this program.
Immigrants Rising maintains a database of scholarships and fellowships that don’t require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency.
Private Loans
Undocumented students may not qualify for federal student loans, but they can take out private student loans in many cases.
However, private student loans should be seen as a last resort.
Private student loans tend to have higher interest rates than federal loans, which may vary depending on the student’s credit score. Additionally, private lenders typically don’t offer flexible repayment plans or forbearance options.
Most financial aid experts advise that students should only apply for private loans if absolutely necessary.