Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) is an open-door institution that admits high school graduates or GED certificate holders. However, depending on the student’s intended program of study, there may be specific admission criteria that must be met. All applicants must complete the online NWFSC Admissions Application. An applicant is limited to one application per semester. If an applicant needs to make any changes to the application, he or she must complete an electronic Request for Exception: Admissions form to make any changes to the current application. A link to this request form can be found on the Admissions page of the College’s website. Upon admission, the student is bound to the rules and requirements set forth in the College Catalog in effect for the semester of admission. If the applicant fails to enroll during the semester of their initial admission, he or she will be required to complete a new Admissions Application for a future semester.
Get Started
- It’s free to apply to NWFSC. Apply online at www.nwfsc.edu/admissions.
- Request official transcripts, as applicable, which include the following: a final high school transcript, GED transcript, or the Affidavit of Home School Completion (the affidavit must be notarized and proof of home education program registration with a County School Board must accompany it); official college and/or university transcripts from all institutions previously attended, including military transcripts (Community College of the Air Force and the Joint Services Transcript). Please request official transcripts to be sent directly to Northwest Florida State College, Office of Academic Records and Enrollment, 100 College Blvd. East, Niceville, FL 32578. All required documents must be received prior to the start of the semester of admission; if all admission documentation is not received, a registration hold will be placed on the student’s account that will prohibit all registration activity until such time as the documentation is received.
- Score reports from national testing agencies such as CLEP, DANTES, AICE, AP, or IB are required to receive course credit; however, a lack of submission will not prevent an admissions decision nor registration.
- All First-Time Freshmen are required to meet with a Student Success Navigator for academic advising prior to registering for courses. Students may call (850) 502-2895 or email studentsuccess@nwfsc.edu to schedule an appointment.
- Each applicant will be notified by email of their admission status to the College. Once admitted, students are assigned an NWFSC student email account and student identification number. The student is expected to provide his or her student identification number in order to verify his or her identity when discussing any information related to the student’s education record here at the College. The NWFSC student email account serves as the official method of communication to the student from the College. The student will be expected to use this email account when communicating electronically with the College.
Re-Admission
An application is good for one semester. A student who is admitted but does not enroll within that semester must re-apply. In addition, a student who has previously attended NWFSC, but who has not been in attendance within one year (3 semesters) must reapply to update personal data, verify their intended program of study, and declare their current residency status. If the student attended another post-secondary institution during his or her break in enrollment, an official transcript must be submitted from that institution. The student will complete requirements for graduation under the catalog in effect for the term of re-admission.
Transfer Students
A student who has attended another college or university prior to enrolling at NWFSC in a degree program is considered a transfer student, regardless of the grades received or the transferability of the courses attempted. Transfer students who are seeking an associate degree or baccalaureate degree at NWF State College must submit official transcript(s) from every post-secondary college or university he or she has previously attended to Northwest Florida State College, Office of Academic Records and Enrollment, 100 College Blvd. East, Niceville, FL 32578. If all transcripts are not received prior to the start of the semester of admission, a registration hold will be placed on the student’s account that will prohibit all registration activity until such time as the transcripts are received.
Applicants may request an exception to the Admissions policy by submitting the electronic Request for Exception: Admissions Policy Form. Requests for exception to published policy must be accompanied by all required supporting documentation and will be reviewed by the Executive Director of Academic Records and Enrollment on a case-by-case basis. Requests must be submitted at least ten (10) business days before the start of the desired semester (or part-of-term) of entry. Decisions issued in this process are final. Multiple appeals for the same term will not be accepted. A link to this request form can be found on the Admissions page of the College’s website. Please see the official appeal form for further details and instructions.
Associate in Arts, Associate in Applied Science, and Associate in Science Degree Admission Requirements
An applicant for admission to the Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Applied Science (AAS), Associate in Science (AS), College Credit Certificate (CCC) or College degree programs must be a high school graduate and submit one of the following as a part of the application:
- High School Diploma
Florida public high school graduates must have earned a standard high school diploma as defined in Section 1003.4282 and Section 1002.3105 of Florida Statute, and in Rule 6A-1.09963 of Florida Administrative Code. An official high school transcript listing the high school graduation date is required. Non-Florida public high school graduates must have earned the equivalent of a standard Florida public high school diploma. All other diplomas must be validated. Domestic institutions that are not registered with a department of education from a U.S. state or U.S. territory, or that only offer an exam for a diploma, do not meet the high school diploma requirement.
- State Equivalency Diploma (GED)
Students who have received the General Education Diploma (GED) are required to submit an official GED transcript listing the overall passing score.
- Home-Educated Students
Home-Educated students must submit a notarized copy of the Affidavit of Home School Completion and provide proof that he or she registered with a County School Board as participating in a home education program.
- Internationally-Educated Students
Students who graduated from a secondary school outside of the U.S. must use one of the agencies sanctioned by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) to validate their secondary school credentials. A list of NACES agency members can be found at www.naces.org. Students will need to have the official evaluation sent to Northwest Florida State College, Office of Academic Records and Enrollment, 100 College Blvd. East, Niceville, FL 32578. The evaluation agency must verify that the student received the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma in order to meet the high school diploma requirement for Admissions.
Graduating High School Seniors that are applying for the summer semester directly following his or her spring high school graduation date may be provisionally admitted to the College’s non-selective programs without receipt of a final high school transcript, as long as the student meets all other admission requirements. The student will be able to register and enroll for the summer semester but must submit a final high school transcript verifying the high school graduation date prior to the start of the subsequent semester of enrollment. If this documentation is not received by the deadline, the student will have a registration hold placed on his or her record until the time that the final high school transcript is received and the student’s application status changes from provisional acceptance to full admittance.
Certificate Admission Requirements
An applicant for admission to either the College Credit Certificate (CCC) or the Career and Technical Certificate (CTC) programs must be a high school graduate and submit one of the documents as described above as part of the application. Transcripts from previous post-secondary institutions are not required for admission but must be submitted if the student is seeking any type of transfer credit for previous college or university coursework successfully completed.
Baccalaureate Degree Admission Requirements
NWFSC is approved by the State of Florida Board of Education to offer baccalaureate degrees. All bachelor degree programs are designed to provide a career ladder for those who have already completed an associate degree (or 60 transferable credits for the Bachelor of Science in Education degrees and BAS degrees). All bachelor degree applicants must complete the NWFSC Admissions Application. Students who do not have an associate degree (or 60 transferable credits for the Bachelor of Science in Education degrees and BAS degrees) are not eligible to apply and should speak with a Student Success Navigator to determine the appropriate program in which the student may be eligible. Students may call (850) 502-2895 or email studentsuccess@nwfsc.edu to schedule an appointment.
Bachelor of Applied Science in Project Management
Bachelor of Applied Science in Management and Supervision
An applicant for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Science in Project Management or Management and Supervision degree program may be admitted with the following:
- Completion of NWFSC Admission Requirements as outlined for the AA, AAS, and AS degree programs
- Completion of 60 transferable credits. Students who have completed an AA degree may be asked to complete additional credits in a professional area (e.g., accounting, computer science, general business, etc.) in lieu of the additional general education credits required of the AS and AAS students.
- Completion of all developmental coursework.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
An applicant for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program may be admitted with the following:
- Completion of NWF State College Admission Requirements as outlined for the AA, AAS, and AS degree programs.
- Completion of an associate degree nursing or nursing diploma program prior to enrollment.
- Completion of all developmental coursework.
- Documentation of a current and clear RN License. Recent graduates of nursing programs who have not yet obtained an RN License may apply and may be accepted on a conditional basis for one semester or until observership experiences begin. The conditional status will be removed once the student obtains a current RN License.
- Documentation of a grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher in all college credit coursework and a grade of “C” or higher in all Florida Common Course Prerequisites applicable to the RN to BSN degree program. Depending on program capacity, students with less than a 2.75 GPA may be admitted on a provisional basis. However, in all cases, the student must have earned a “C” or higher in all Florida Common Course Prerequisites. Provisional status will be removed if the student earns a GPA of 3.0 or higher for his or her first eight upper-division nursing credits at the College. If this benchmark is not met, the student will not be permitted to continue in the RN to BSN degree program. Ideally, pre-requisite and General Education courses should be completed prior to enrolling in upper-division nursing courses; however, all pre-requisite and General Education courses must be completed before the student can take NUR 4615C and subsequent BSN courses.
Additional conditions, which include proof of immunizations, CPR verification, drug screen, and background check, must be satisfied prior to registering for courses that include observership experiences.
Contact the BSN Department at (850) 729-6440 for additional information.
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
An applicant for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree program may be admitted with the following:
- Completion of NWF State College Admission Requirements as outlined for the AA, AAS, and AS degree programs.
- Completion of an AA or AS degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or at least 60 semester hours of post-secondary education from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Completion of all developmental coursework.
- Completion of all General Education Requirements and the lower-division state-mandated common pre-requisite with a minimum grade of “C” in the pre-requisite course.
- Completion of 6 semester hours of coursework with an international or diversity focus.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the General Education component of the undergraduate studies or have completed the requirements for a baccalaureate degree with a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale from an approved college or university.
- Passing scores on the General Knowledge Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE).
- Agreement to submit to background checks by both the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Birth through Four
An applicant for the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education may be admitted with the following:
- Completion of NWF State College Admission Requirements as outlined for the AA, AAS, and AS degree programs.
- Completion of an AA or AS degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or at least 60 semester hours of post-secondary education from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Completion of all developmental coursework and a minimum of 18 credit hours of transferable General Education courses.
- Completion of state-mandated prerequisites with a minimum grade of “C”.
- Completion of 6 semester hours of coursework with an international or diversity focus.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Agreement to submit to fingerprinting as required by Early Childhood facilities.
Selective Program Admissions
Selective programs are those programs that have a competitive selection process and require additional Admission Requirements.
Dental Assisting
The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda. The next site visit is in 2025.
The program is a three (3) semester Selective Admissions Career and Technical Certificate program. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and satisfy all other NWF State College admission criteria. Program graduates are eligible to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board examination to receive the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential. Contact Dental Assisting at (850) 729-6444 for additional information.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
The Emergency Medical Technician program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP). Emergency Medical Technicians are part of the Emergency Medical Services team. EMTs are trained to provide basic life support and transportation of the sick and injured. The EMT program prepares students to apply for the examination to become a Florida licensed and National Registry Emergency Medical Technician-Basic.
The Emergency Medical Technician program is 12 credit hours and is conducted over one (1) semester. Applicants to this program must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and meet other applicable Admission criteria (including fingerprinting, a background check and a drug screen). Contact the Public Safety Office at publicsafety@nwfsc.edu or (850) 729-5378 for additional information.
Firefighting
Firefighters are trained to extinguish and control fires in response to situations where property, life, or the environment is in danger. At the scene of an emergency, firefighters perform tasks assigned by their commanding officer. Depending on the situation, they may need to provide medical attention, break through debris, operate fire hoses, or enter a burning building. Firefighters are often first responders to car accidents, heart attack scenes, and other medical emergencies that do not involve fire.
The Firefighting Certificate program is one (1) semester that consists of two classes: Fire Basic I and II. Applicants to this program must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and meet other applicable Admission criteria. Contact the Public Safety Office at publicsafety@nwfsc.edu or (850) 729-5378 for additional information.
Medical Laboratory Technology
New students will be accepted annually at the end of the summer semester. Applicants must complete specific requirements in addition to the College application to include performance in prerequisite coursework. Students selected for the program will receive conditional acceptance pending completion of a background check and drug screen. Interested students should review all application material and selection criteria on the NWFSC MLT program website. Contact a Student Success Navigator at (850) 678-5111 or studentsucess@nwfsc.edu for advising or additional information.
AS/RN Nursing
This two (2) year Nursing program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA, http://acenursing.org, (404) 975-5000, leads to an Associate in Science (AS) in Nursing degree. Graduates of the Nursing program are eligible to apply for licensure by examination to become Registered Nurses (RNs). They are also prepared to continue their education and can smoothly transition into the RN to BSN program offered at NWFSC.
The Associate in Science in Nursing has a twice-a-year admissions process to begin nursing coursework in the Fall or Spring semester. Those who plan to apply to the program may wish to complete specified General Education coursework to prepare a more competitive application. Applicants must complete a program application in addition to the College application, must meet or exceed the minimum cumulative GPA requirement, and must pass the Nursing Admission Examination to be considered for selection into the program. Students selected for this program must meet matriculation criteria, including fingerprinting, a criminal background check, drug screen, proof of immunization and CPR Certification, as required by clinical facilities. Interested students should review all application materials and selection criteria on the Nursing website. Contact a Student Success Navigator at (850) 502-2895 or studentsuccess@nwfsc.edu for advising or additional information.
Paramedic
Paramedics are the highest trained and educated pre-hospital provider of emergency medicine. In the Paramedic program, students are provided the highest quality education to prepare to become competent leaders in the high pace work of Emergency Medical Services. The Paramedic program is three (3) semesters beyond the Emergency Medical Technician - Basic level and prepares students to apply for the Florida or National Registry Paramedic board examination. The Paramedic Certificate program is a Selective Admissions College Credit Certificate. Students admitted to this program must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and meet other applicable Admission criteria (including documentation of current Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification, fingerprinting, a background check and a drug screen). The curriculum for this program forms the core of the Associate in Science in Emergency Medical Services degree program. Contact the Public Safety Office at publicsafety@nwfsc.edu or (850) 729-5378 for additional information.
Physical Therapist Assistant
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program is currently seeking accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) to offer an Associate in Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree.In order to be considered for accreditation, the first cohort of students must fully complete the two year program.If granted accreditation, students will graduate from an accredited program and be eligible to apply for licensure by examination to become licensed physical therapist assistants.
Effective November 3, 2020, Northwest Florida State College has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 850-863-6511 or email pta@nwfsc.edu. Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
New students are accepted annually at the end of the fall semester. Applicants must complete specific requirements in additional to the College application to include a minimum pre-requisite GPA, observation hours, and pass the Health Professions Admissions Examination. Students selected for the program will receive conditional acceptance pending completion of a background check and drug screen. Interested students should review all application material and selection criteria on the PTA Program website. Contact a Student Success Navigator at (850) 678-5111 or studentsucess@nwfsc.edu for advising or additional information.
Radiography
The Radiography program is based on selective admission, subject to additional policies and licensure requirements. The admission criteria and process are subject to change; students should refer to the Selective Program Admissions Radiography (AS) webpage for the most current information. All courses in the Radiography program, including required general education and core courses, must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” to graduate with the AS Degree in Radiography. Graduates are eligible to sit for the ARRT certification exam. For additional information, contact the Health Technology Department at (850) 729-6444.
Welding
The Welding Technology and Advanced Welding Technology are Selective Admissions Career and Technical Certificate programs. New students are accepted for Admissions annually in both the Spring and Fall semesters. Students admitted to this program must meet specific admission criteria. The NWFSC Welding program provides you the skills, knowledge, and customized training required to be a professional welder. Students accepted into the program have the opportunity of obtaining NCCER credentials. Each certificate level is acknowledged by the industry as proof of acquired skills in various forms of welding, cutting, base metal preparation, welding inspection, safety, and metallurgy. Interested students should review all application materials and selection criteria in the Welding program guide. Please contact the Welding Office at (850) 729-5224 or visit the Welding website for additional information.
Programs with Additional Admission Requirements
Criminal Justice Training Programs
The Law Enforcement Officer Basic and Correctional Officer Basic Career and Technical Certificate Programs are certified through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The College is designated as Florida Criminal Justice Training Center Number 21 and students enrolling in these certificate programs must meet FDLE requirements (including fingerprinting and background check), possess a standard high school diploma or its equivalent, successfully complete the Florida Basic Abilities Test (FBAT), as well as satisfy all other NWFSC Admission standards. Contact the Criminal Justice Program at criminaljustice@nwfsc.edu or (850) 729-5378 for additional information.
Emergency Medical Services
The Associate in Science in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) curriculum forms the last stage of a career ladder program progression from Emergency Medical Technician to Paramedic to the associate in science degree. Applicants to this program must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and meet other Admission criteria (including fingerprinting, a background check and a drug screen). Contact the Public Safety Office at publicsafety@nwfsc.edu or (850) 729-5378 for additional information.
Fine and Performing Arts
While a student may be admitted into a Fine & Performing Arts program without any additional Admissions requirements, please note that specific courses may require an audition and/or interview. Contact the Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts Division at (850) 729-5382 for additional information.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
Many students attend college to upgrade employment skills, meet specific pre-requisite requirements, or for personal interest and enjoyment. Non-degree applicants only need to complete the NWFSC Admissions Application. Applicants who do not wish to earn a degree or certificate from NWFSC but wish to take credit courses do not need to provide evidence of prior educational coursework. However, students seeking enrollment in courses with pre-requisites or other Admissions requirements, or students seeking financial assistance may be required to provide evidence of all prior educational course work. A student will not be permitted to enroll in any college credit English, Humanities, Mathematics or Gordon Rule Social Science course without meeting the State of Florida mandated minimum scores on an approved placement test, providing documentation verifying they have met the pre-requisite, or proving that he or she is exempt from placement testing.
Transient Students from Other Institutions
Students who are currently enrolled at another Florida post-secondary institution as a degree-seeking student, but wish to take courses at NWFSC that will transfer back to their home institution are considered Transient Students. Transient students within the state of Florida are required to submit an online FloridaShines application. A FloridaShines application showing approval by the home institution is required to be admitted to NWFSC. A new FloridaShines application will need to be submitted for each semester that the student intends to enroll at NWFSC. At the end of the semester, NWFSC will send a copy of the student’s official transcript back to the student’s home institution on the student’s behalf.
Students who are currently enrolled at a non-Florida post-secondary institution, but wish to take courses at NWFSC that will transfer back to their home institution are considered standard Non-Degree Seeking students at NWFSC and should complete the College’s online Non-Degree Seeking application. If the student is seeking to enroll in coursework that requires a pre-requisite, the student will need to provide a copy of his or her transcript showing that the pre-requisite has been completed or submit their home institution’s authorization of course selection prior to initial registration.
International Students
International students should begin the Admissions process at least four months prior to the beginning of any college semester. International mail delays, transcript verification, international monetary transfers, consular appointments, travel, housing, and advisement and/or testing requirements must be anticipated many months in advance of enrollment. The desired date for application materials to be received by the College is April 1st for Fall, September 1st for Spring, and January 1st for the Summer semester. International students seeking college credit on the F-1 or M-1 Visa must satisfy all requirements for admission as a regular student and meet the following requirements:
- Fill out the online International (F1-VISA) application located on the Admissions website.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts of secondary and post-secondary school records from outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by a third-party agency at the student’s expense. The evaluation agency must be sanctioned by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). A list of NACES agency members can be found at www.naces.org. A course-by-course evaluation is required for all post-secondary record evaluations. Students will need to have the official evaluation sent to Northwest Florida State College, Office of Academic Records and Enrollment, 100 College Blvd. East, Niceville, FL 32578. Though not required, requests for the acceptance of career and technical level transfer work must also be evaluated by a NACES sanctioned evaluation service at the student’s expense. Recommendations from the evaluation service will be considered in determining what courses may transfer, however, the final determination will be made by the Executive Director of Academic Records and Enrollment in consultation with the appropriate academic department representatives, if applicable. Once the original transcript evaluation documents are received and processed by NWFSC, they are considered the property of the College and are only considered as ‘official’ for internal academic and business processes. These documents will not be returned to the student nor will they be forwarded to another college or agency. Students seeking an exception to this policy may submit a written request to the Executive Director of Academic Records and Enrollment for consideration.
- Financial Support: An official statement from the applicant’s (or sponsor’s) bank or other financial institution or government agency verifying the availability of sufficient funds for tuition, matriculation, books, living expenses, etc., must be submitted (Approximately: $25,000 for the academic year). With the exception of athletic scholarships, financial assistance for international students is not available from NWFSC. An international student must be able to finance all school expenses and transportation. Before obtaining a visa, the U.S. government will require a copy of the financial certification given to NWFSC. Employment is not permitted unless permission to work is given by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). College fees are subject to change without notice.
- Language Proficiency: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) results are required of applicants for whom English is not the primary language. The minimum required score is 173 for the computer-based TOEFL cBT and 61 on the Internet-based TOEFL iBT. Students, who have evidence of English proficiency in lieu of a passing TOEFL score, may submit a Request for Exception: Admissions Policy Form. NWFSC does NOT administer the TOEFL test.
- Health Information: Health insurance with hospitalization coverage and a repatriation clause is required. This insurance should be obtained prior to the international student’s first registration and must be maintained while attending NWFSC.
An official notice of acceptance or denial will be sent to applicants. Applicants should not make definite plans to arrive in the U.S. until he or she has been notified of acceptance to the College. Being in the U.S. will not affect the Admission decision. Completing the application process does not guarantee acceptance to NWFSC. When all admissions documents, academic credentials, and test results are on file and meet minimum standards for the College, an acceptance letter will be sent along with the U.S. Immigration Form I-20. The Form I-20 is the document required to obtain the Student (F-1 or M-1) Visa. Final approval for a visa is determined by the American Embassy or Consulate representative and not the College. If the student cannot enroll for the semester written in the notice of acceptance and wishes to enroll in a different semester, the NWFSC International Student Success Navigator must be informed immediately.
NWFSC does NOT provide on-campus housing; therefore, international students must find available housing in the community. There is limited public transportation service in the area; students must provide their own transportation to and from the College. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) regulations require that foreign students enroll in a full-time course of study during two (2) of the yearly terms. USCIS regulations also restrict work opportunities for such students. International students should consult with the International Student Success Navigator and present his or her student visa and evidence of health insurance prior to registration.
Collegiate High School
NWFSC operates an innovative charter high school on the Niceville Campus. This school is a public school of the Okaloosa County School District governed by the NWFSC Board of Trustees. Through this unique high school/college program, students may earn both a high school diploma and a two-year college degree at the same time through full-time study at NWFSC. The Collegiate High School is free of charge and operates under guidelines established by Florida Statute. Admission is open to any public, private or home school student who is of high school age and who has earned credit for placement in grades 10, 11, or 12.
Collegiate High School students enroll in honors high school classes and college courses and may earn both high school and college credit for these classes. Students follow an approved program of study designed by the student, his/her parents, and an educational advisor. The program of study meets the Florida statutory requirements for both a high school diploma and an associate degree. A limited pre-collegiate track assists students who are not completely prepared to directly enter a full program of college-level classes. For more information, call the Collegiate School Office at (850) 729-4949 or visit www.nwfcollegiatehigh.org.
Simultaneous Enrollment for High School Students
Simultaneous enrollment programs provide a means for educational acceleration for academically superior high school students. These include the following Admission categories:
Dual Enrollment provides the opportunity for qualified high school students from Okaloosa and Walton counties to enroll in NWFSC courses while simultaneously enrolled in high school. Students receive both high school and college credit for these courses. Dual Enrollment students are exempt from tuition, matriculation, and laboratory fees. Public school students have books provided by the student’s high school through the College’s Barnes and Noble Bookstore. Books must be returned by the end of the semester. Private and home school students must purchase their own college textbooks. Eligibility criteria and enrollment procedures comply with Florida law and regulations and are defined in the appropriate District Articulation Agreement.
Please note the terms and eligibility criteria of these high school enrollment programs are defined by state regulation, college policies and procedures, and current articulation agreements. It may vary between Okaloosa and Walton counties, private, and home school students. As such, they are subject to change.
Students must meet all eligibility requirements in order to enroll in the Dual Enrollment program. Student success is dependent upon both academic readiness and social maturity. Prospective students and their parents should consult the Dual Credit Coordinator at (850) 729-5205 or visit the Dual Enrollment website for the most current admission information and procedures.
Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes
NWFSC offers one of the lowest tuition rates in the state of Florida. In order to take advantage of this and receive in-state tuition, students must prove Florida Residency by submitting the Florida Residency Declaration and provide all applicable supporting documentation. The Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes policy is based upon state statutes, rules of the two higher education governing boards in Florida, and statewide guidelines developed by college and university administrators in conjunction with the Statewide Residency Committee and the Florida Department of Education.
Students are classified as Florida residents, Border State residents or Non-Florida residents for the purpose of fee assessment at the time of initial registration. Criteria for determining residency status are detailed in Florida Statutes and the administrative rules of the State Board of Education. A Florida resident for tuition purposes is a person who has (or a dependent person whose parent or legal guardian has) established and maintained legal residence in Florida for the 12 months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which enrollment is requested. Residence in Florida must be for the purpose of establishing a permanent home and not merely incident to enrollment at an institution of higher education.
To qualify as a Florida resident for tuition purposes you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or certain individuals granted indefinite stay by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Living in Florida for the express purposes of attending school does NOT constitute legal residence. Students who depend on out-of-state parents for support are presumed to be legal residents of the same state as their parents unless one parent has established legal residence in Florida for more than 12 months. Two (2) documents supporting the establishment of legal residence must be dated or issued 12 months before the first day of classes of the term for which Florida residency is sought. Supporting documents for residency classification must be submitted to the Office of Academic Records and Enrollment prior to the first day of the semester in order to be considered as in-state for tuition purposes. If a student’s schedule includes only courses that are part of a non-traditional part-of-term that begins after the start of the regular semester, that student must submit supporting documents for residency classification prior to the first day of the earliest non-traditional part-of-term for which they are enrolled. Students cannot hold out-of-state driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, etc. and be eligible for Florida residency.
The Office of Academic Records and Enrollment verifies through the student’s submitted documentation whether or not the student is eligible to be designated as a Florida resident for tuition assessment purposes. Once verified, documentation related solely to residency will not be maintained within the student’s permanent education record. Note that while the Office of Academic Records and Enrollment makes every attempt to validate residency documentation, the ultimate responsibility to ensure that residency requirements have been satisfied belongs to the student. If the student fails to prove his or her Florida residency status (or Border State residency status), the student will be charged tuition at the out-of-state (non-resident) rate.
Providing false residency information is a violation of Florida law and could result in disciplinary action being initiated. The College will correct the fees assessed for those students who misrepresent their place of legal residence. An invoice will be issued for the increase in the student’s tuition.
Dependent
Students who are claimed on their parent’s tax return as a dependent for the previous calendar year shall be considered to be dependent. In addition, a student, whether or not living with his or her parent, who is eligible to be claimed by his or her parent as a dependent under the federal income tax code shall be classified as dependent. In general, the IRS requires that a “qualifying child” or “dependent” meet six (6) tests:
- The child must be your son, daughter, or stepchild.
- The child must be: (a) under age 19 at end of the year; (b) under age 24 at end of the year AND a full-time student; or (c) any age if permanently disabled.
- The child must have lived with you for more than half of the year subject to IRS exceptions.
- The child must have NOT provided more than half of his or her own support for the year.
- The child is NOT filing a joint return for the year (unless that joint return is filed only as a claim for refund).
- If the child meets the rules to be a qualifying child of more than one person, you must be the person entitled to claim the child as a qualifying child.
Independent
A student who meets any one of the following criteria shall be classified as an independent student for the determination of residency for tuition purposes. Evidence that the student meets one of these criteria will be requested by the College.
- The student is 24 years of age or older by the first day of classes of the term for which residency status is sought at a Florida institution.
- The student is married.
- The student has children who receive more than half of their support from the student.
- The student has other dependents that live with and receive more than half of their support from the student.
- The student is a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or is currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training.
- Both of the student’s parents are deceased or the student is, or was (until age 18), a dependent or ward of the court or in foster care.
- The student is determined as an unaccompanied homeless by a school district homeless liaison, emergency shelter or transitional housing program.
- Documentation is provided showing the student provides more than 50% of his/her support for the year.
Qualification by Exception
Other persons not meeting the 12-month legal residence requirement may be classified as Florida residents for tuition purposes if they fall within one of the limited special categories authorized by the Florida Legislature [Florida Statute 1009.21(11)]. These exceptions are listed below.
Documentation in support of these exceptions is required:
- Active duty service members of the U.S. and active drilling members of the Florida National Guard stationed in Florida (spouse and dependent children included).
- Active duty service members of the U.S. not stationed in Florida but whose legal state of residence is Florida (spouse and dependent children included).
- Full-time instructional and administrative personnel employed by the State public school system, college system, or university system (spouse and dependent children included).
- A dependent child who has lived with an adult relative (who is not a parent or legal guardian) for at least three years.
- Persons who were enrolled as Florida residents at a state institution of higher learning but who abandon Florida residency for less than one year.
- Latin American/Caribbean Scholars.
- U.S. citizens living on the Isthmus of Panama who has completed 12 consecutive months of college-level coursework at the FSU Panama Canal Branch (spouse and dependent children included).
- Full-time employees of state agencies or political subdivisions of the State when the student fees are paid by the agency or subdivision for the purpose of job-related law enforcement or corrections training.
- Qualified beneficiaries under the Florida Pre-Paid Postsecondary Expense Program as provided in Florida statute.
- A dependent child whose parents are divorced, separated, or otherwise living apart, will be considered a resident for tuition purposes if either parent is a legal resident of Florida, regardless of which parent claims the minor for tax purposes.
The law allows non-U.S. citizens such as lawful permanent residents, temporary permanent residents, asylees, parolees, and refugees who have applied for and been approved for such status and who otherwise meet the 12-month legal residence requirements, to be eligible to establish Florida residency for tuition purposes. For a list of non-immigrant categories (visa categories and INS classifications) eligible to establish Florida residency for tuition purposes contact Student Success Navigation at (850) 502-2895 or registrar@nwfsc.edu.
Reclassification
Students classified as out-of-state residents for tuition purposes may re-apply for in-state residency at such time as they have completed the requirements for establishing legal Florida residency. Students can reclassify by submitting an updated Residency Classification form and supporting documentation to the Office of Academic Records and Enrollment. A minimum of three (3) documents that support clear and convincing evidence of Florida legal resident for the previous twelve (12) consecutive months will be required. Supporting documents for reclassification must be submitted to the Office of Academic Records and Enrollment prior to the first day of the semester in order to be considered. If a student’s schedule includes only courses that are part of a non-traditional part-of-term that begins after the start of the regular semester, that student must submit supporting documents for residency reclassification prior to the first day of the earliest non-traditional part-of-term for which they are enrolled.
Students who become eligible for in-state tuition in the middle of a semester shall have their record adjusted to reflect the in-state tuition rate effective the next semester of enrollment. Tuition will not be adjusted for the current semester.
Residency Appeals
In cases where the student expresses a desire to appeal the residency classification, he or she must submit a Residency Appeal Form to the Office of Academic Records and Enrollment. The appeal will then be referred to the Residency Appeal Committee in accordance with the College’s official appeals process. The Residency Committee will render the final residency determination and the reasons for the determination in writing to the student.
The state offers a variety of exemptions and waivers for the out-of-state portion of tuition, found in F.S. 1009.26. The most commonly awarded waivers by NWFSC are below. A waiver will only be awarded once the student demonstrates he or she does not qualify for Florida residency.
Out-of-State Fee Waiver: Florida High School Graduate
House Bill 851 amended section (s.) 1009.26, Florida Statutes (F.S.), fee waivers, to authorize an out-of-state fee waiver for students who have attended a Florida high school for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to graduating from a Florida high school. These students must have applied to a Florida College System institution within 24 months after their high school graduation. This waiver can be applied to recent Florida high school graduates regardless of their immigration status to include DACA and undocumented students. Applicants who do not qualify for in-state residency but are eligible for this waiver should submit an official Florida High School transcript and complete the Out-of-State Fee Waiver: Florida High school Graduate Form. Students with questions regarding waiver eligibility should contact Student Success Navigation at (850) 502-2895 or registrar@nwfsc.edu.
Out-of-State Fee Waiver: VA Eligible Students (for Veterans and their Dependents)
House Bill 7015 created the Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program and amended section (s.) 1009.26, Florida Statutes (F.S.) fee waivers, to authorize an out-of-state fee waiver for honorably discharged Veterans and their dependents of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Reserve Forces or the National Guard who physically reside in Florida. Veterans students and their dependent(s) must submit the Florida Residency Declaration and the College must determine that they are not eligible for in-state tuition before the Veteran and/or dependent(s) can pursue an out-of-state fee waiver.
NWF State College shall waive the out-of-state tuition for Veteran students and their dependent(s) who meet the following conditions:
- The Veteran student and/or dependent’s sponsor received an honorable discharge as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Reserve Forces or the National Guard.
- Proof of honorable discharge confirmed on Veteran’s DD214 (member copy 4).
- Proof of physical residence in the state may include but is not limited to, submission of an annual lease and/or a Florida Driver’s License reflecting the Veteran’s name.
In order to be eligible for the waiver, students will need to submit complete the Out-of-State Fee Waiver: VA Eligible Student Form. Once approved, this waiver is good for only one academic year. Once the waiver has expired at the end of the academic year, students must submit a new Florida Residency Declaration and the College must determine that they are still not eligible for in-state tuition before the Veteran and/or dependent(s) can pursue an out-of-state fee waiver again. If the student is still classified as not eligible for in-state tuition, then he or she must submit a new waiver form in order for it to be applied to the upcoming academic year.
Out-of-State Fee Waiver: Active Duty Service Member
House Bill 799 was signed into law July 2016 and amended section (s.) 1009.26, Florida Statutes (F.S.), fee waivers, to authorize an out-of-state fee waiver for a person who is an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States residing or stationed outside of the state of Florida. In order to be eligible for this waiver, students will need to submit the Out-of-State Fee Waiver: Active Duty Service Member Form and provide a copy of his or her current active duty orders to the Office of Academic Records and Enrollment. Once approved, this waiver is good for only one academic year. Once the waiver has expired at the end of the academic year, students must submit a new waiver form in order for it to be applied to the upcoming academic year and provide updated active duty orders if applicable.
Additional Resources
Florida Statutes
State Board of Education Rules
- 6A-10.044 Residency for Tuition Purposes. The purpose of this rule is to establish consistent policies for the classification of students as residents for tuition purposes in accordance with criteria set forth in Section 1009.21, F.S.
- 6A-20.003 Florida Residency as a Requirement for the Receipt of State Student Aid. Students that attend a Florida post-secondary educational institution must show eligibility to receive funds from state student financial assistance programs by following proving Florida residency as outlined in 1009.21, F.S.
Board of Governors Residency Regulation
Florida Residency Guidelines
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Articulation Coordinating Committee’s Guidelines on Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes. This Residency Guidelines document was adopted by the Articulation Coordinating Committee to assist college and university administrators in implementing Section 1009.21, Florida Statutes; Rules 6A-10.044 and 6A-20.003, Florida Administrative Code; and the Board of Governors (BOG) Residency Regulation. The guidelines, as maintained by the Statewide Residency Committee, are used to determine residency status for tuition purposes in public colleges and universities. The Florida Residency Guidelines for Tuition Purposes were first adopted by the Articulation Coordinating Committee on September 6, 2006.
The Florida Legislature allows the option of providing Alabama residents a different tuition assessment for post-secondary classes. At NWFSC, the Alabama Border State Fee, at a rate of an additional $1.00 per credit hour to the current in-state tuition rate, will be assessed for all eligible Alabama residents.
To be eligible for the Alabama Border State Fee the student must complete the Declaration of Alabama Residency Form and provide verification of a current Alabama driver’s license, Alabama vehicle registration, or Alabama voter’s registration card.
The presence of students officially designated as Sexual Offenders/Sexual Predators on campus would be disruptive of the orderly process of the College’s programs and/or would interfere with the rights and privileges of other students. In accordance with Section 1001.64(8a), Florida Statutes, the College may consider the past actions of any person applying for admission or enrollment and may deny admission or enrollment to an applicant because of past misconduct if it is determined to be in the best interest of the College.
Accordingly, the College will deny admission/enrollment to students who are officially designated as Sexual Offenders/Sexual Predators. An applicant should follow the appeal process outlined below. If an academic term has already begun at the time the College receives a notification of past misconduct that would classify the student as not eligible for admission, the student’s admission will be revoked, the student will be administratively dropped from all courses and refunded for fees paid for the term in progress. The student may also receive credit for required textbooks purchased for classes from which the student is dropped. This decision may be appealed to the Vice-President of Student Success.
To submit an appeal the student must send a letter to the Vice-President of Student Success that contains the following:
- The reason the student believes an appeal should be granted.
- Documentation of the legal proceedings that led to the student being listed with the State of Florida as a Sexual Offender/Predator including police reports, court proceedings, adjudication, time served and parole information. If this information is not received with the letter of appeal, the Vice-President of Student Success may attempt to collect it through other means.
- The names and contact telephone numbers of at least three professional references who can attest to the student’s ability to function without harm to a learning community (which includes persons under the age of 18.) This could include probation officers, therapists, employers, and clergy.
- The name and contact information for the therapist of the sex therapy group that was required as part of the legal sanction or in which the student/applicant participated.
Once the full documentation is received, the Vice-President of Student Success will review it, conduct telephone interviews with references provided, share all of the information with the College President and talk with the appellant about the situation presented. If there is sufficient reason at this point to believe an appeal may be granted, the Vice-President of Student Success will conduct a face-to-face meeting with the student to determine the risk the student poses to the campus learning environment. The final decision will be made based on the full documentation received and the meeting with the student. The student will receive a letter of the decision from the Vice-President of Student Success. The Vice-President of Student Success will monitor the student’s enrollment each term through their degree completion at NWFSC. Any behavioral issues will result in immediate and permanent expulsion from NWFSC.
Applicant Records (the pre-attendance record) include records relating to an individual’s application for admission to NWFSC prior to his or her actual attendance as an enrolled student. Although not considered education records (because an applicant is not yet a student), Section 1006.52, Florida Statutes does define Applicant Records and provides that such records are confidential and exempt from Sections 119.07(1), Florida Statutes and 24(a), Art. I, Fla. Constitution.
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