FIU first in Florida to offer in-state tuition to students who have yet to achieve legal status


By Joel Delgado ’12 MS ’17

FIU is the first public university in Florida to offer in-state tuition to students who have qualified for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Before this decision was made this spring, local undocumented students had to pay out-of-state tuition. In-state tuition is approximately one-third the price of out-of-state tuition.

“This is an excellent opportunity for students who have lived their entire lives here in South Florida,” said Vice President for Enrollment Services Luisa Havens. “The most important step is to apply for deferred action.”

To qualify, students must have graduated from a Florida high school or have attended college in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months. Currently, some 30 FIU students have benefited from the tuition waiver that allows them to pay in-state tuition.

For more information on how to apply for the waiver, please click here.

The story was featured in the June 10 issue of the Sun Sentinel.