Tuition Fee Waivers and Exemptions
St. Petersburg College offers several ways to reduce the cost of tuition and fees for the following:
- Active Duty Military and Veterans
- Bailey Family Foundation
- Dependent Child of a Special Risk
- Homeless Fee Exemption
- Law enforcement officer dependents
- Senior citizens Complete the online form, print it and bring it to campus.
- State employees
Out-of-State Tuition Waivers for:
- Select High School Graduates
- Recipients of Purple Heart or Superior Combat Decorations
- Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program
Disabled Veteran Waiver
- Disabled Veteran Waiver
In 2022, In 2022, House Bill 45 (Chapter No. 2022-187, Laws of Florida) created section 295.011, Florida Statutes (F.S.), to establish a fee waiver for disabled veterans who are enrolled in a postsecondary program and receive educational assistance under the GI Bill, but who do not qualify for the 100 percent eligibility tier federally.
Beginning in 2022-23, these students are eligible to receive a waiver in the amount that is the difference between the portion of tuition and fees authorized under federal law and the full amount of tuition and fees charged by the institution attended.
To qualify for this waiver, the student must meet the following criteria:
1. Be a resident of the state of Florida.
2. Have a disability rating with the VA, or any branch of the US Armed Service, of 100% Total and Permanent.
3. Be in receipt of VA GI Bill benefits at a rate of less than 100% eligibility.
If you meet these criteria, please fill out the Disabled Veteran Waiver and include supporting documentation to prove eligibility.Examples which prove eligibility may be, but are not limited to:
1. DD214
2. VA Certificate of Eligibility
3. Official document from VA certifying the 100% Total and Permanent disability rating.Have you been approved for this waiver for a prior term and wish to request a continuation of this waiver? Complete the Request of Continuation of the Disabled Veterans Waiver
Department of Children and Families Tuition & Fee Exemption (DCF Exemption)
Pursuant to s. 1009.25, F.S. and HB 1279, “students who have been or are in foster care” means students who were the subject of a shelter proceeding, a dependency proceeding or a termination of parental rights proceeding and:
- is, or was at the time he or she reached 18 years of age, in out-of-home care.
- is, or was at the time he or she reached 18 years of age, in the custody of a relative or nonrelative.
- after spending at least 6 months in the custody of DCF after reaching 16 years of age, was placed in a guardianship by the court.
- 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. Such a student must be Pell Grant-eligible as determined by SPC.
- was adopted from the DCF after May 5, 1997.
- was placed in a permanent guardianship, regardless of whether the caregiver participates or participated in the Relative Caregiver Program, 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.
What is the process?
In your first term at SPC, email your valid and signed DCF Form CF-FSP 5220 to Sandra Albright at albright.sandra@spcollege.edu.
You only need to submit this form once to SPC.
If you do not have your DCF Form CF-FSP 5220, you can contact DCF directly at 844-ILYOUTH (844-459-6884).
What is the DCF Exemption Enrollment Notification and why is it so important?
Each term, once you are enrolled in classes, complete the DCF Exemption Enrollment Notification Form.
Enrollment Notifications must be submitted prior to the Last Date to Drop with a Refund.
You must also complete this form each time you add, drop or change a class.
Submission of this form will help you avoid being dropped from your classes and/or owing funds back to SPC.
What about Florida residency?
Make sure you will be charged an in-state rate for tuition – submit your DCF Form CF-FSP 5220 to Admissions & Records to prove your Florida residency.
What is covered by the DCF Exemption?
If this is your first term at SPC, SPC will waive the Application Fee.
The DCF Exemption will cover in-state Tuition, Access Fees, Lab Fees and Online Fees. The exemption will not cover books, course materials, supplies, equipment, housing, food or living expenses.
There is no actual money exchanged.
How will the funds pay my bill?
Funds will be awarded as part of your financial aid award package upon receipt of your DCF Form CF-FSP 5220 AND submission of the DCF Exemption Enrollment Notification.
Funds will disburse (pay your tuition and allowable fees) during the third week of your classes.
Will the DCF Exemption cover third attempts?
If you are enrolled more than twice in the same course, you will be charged tuition and fees using the out-of-state resident rate (three times the amount of the in-state rate). The DCF Exemption will not cover any portion of tuition for third attempts. The student is responsible for payment of tuition at the full out-of-state rate.
How long does the DCF Exemption last?
The DCF Exemption will remain valid for each term of enrollment until you reach 28 years of age. The funds will cover tuition and allowable fees during the term you reach 28, but not the subsequent term. Terms are defined as Fall, Spring (includes Winter Session) and Summer.
Can SPC help me find housing or employment?
SPC Titans Care Centers can give you resources to help with housing, but we cannot give you specific recommendations. You can contact them at titanscarecenters@spcollege.edu.
SPC's Career Development Services provides support in your job and internship search! Whether you are just beginning your job search or actively applying for positions, SPC Career Readiness Navigators can help you identify opportunities, prepare resumes and cover letters, practice interviewing, and build relationships with employers and professionals in your field.
You may be interested in finding out about Federal Work Study positions at SPC.
Code of Conduct
Disrespectful or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Code of Conduct violations will be referred to the student’s home campus Associate Provost or their designee.
What if I have questions?
Contact SPC Titans Care Centers at titanscarecenters@spcollege.edu.
Other Resources
Community-Based Care Lead Agency
Office of Continuing Care at 850-300-HOPE (850-300-4673) for students who aged out of foster care
Adoption Information Center at 800-96-ADOPT (800-962-3678) or adoptflorida@danielkids.org for questions about adoption-specific benefits and post-adoption services