Out-of-State Tuition Waiver Program

The Florida-Brazil Linkage Institute (FBLI) awards tuition exemptions for qualified Brazilian undergraduate students studying at Florida’s public state colleges or Brazilian graduate students studying at Florida’s public universities. For questions concerning our out-of-state tuition waiver program, please contact FBLI@latam.ufl.edu. 

Program Overview

What is the program? The Florida Legislature has authorized each International Linkage Institute to grant exemptions of out-of-state tuition for up to 25 full-time equivalent (FTE) international students attending Florida’s public universities and state colleges. Each International Linkage Institute has developed its own criteria for selection of students. The Florida-Brazil Linkage Institute (FBLI) awards tuition exemptions for qualified Brazilian undergraduate students studying at Florida’s public state colleges or Brazilian graduate students studying at Florida’s public universities.

How many students does it support? The FBLI awards 25 waivers each year: approximately 20 to undergraduates and 5 to graduate students. These numbers may vary slightly from year to year based on the applicant pool and their qualifications.

How does it work? The tuition waiver program does not provide any funds to students or their educational institutions. Instead, recipients of the waiver receive a letter that they take to a designated official at their college (normally someone in International Student Services or at the Financial Affairs office) allowing the institution to waive the out-of-state tuition typically paid by foreign students. All recipients are still responsible for in-state tuition and any fees charged by their college.

How long will students be supported?

• Students are typically awarded waivers for one academic year (Fall-Spring-Summer).
• After one year of initial support, students must submit a renewal packet for subsequent support.
• Awards are given for a maximum of:
  • Undergraduate Students: Up to 15 credits per term for up to 5 years or until degree completion, whichever comes first.
  • Graduate Students: Up to 9 credits per term for up to 3 years or until degree completion, whichever comes first.
• One semester or partial credit waivers may be awarded under special circumstances.

For additional information please email requests to FBLI Program Coordinator.

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Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility guidelines:

1. Brazilian citizens with F-1 or J-1 visa status and a valid I-20.
2. Admission or enrollment as a full-time degree-seeking student at a Florida state university or a Florida state college. The student must be pursuing an AA/AS, BA/BS, or MA/MS/LLM degree. Doctoral programs are not covered by the Out-of-State Tuition Waiver.
3. Associate’s students who receive an out-of-state tuition exemption and transfer to a Florida state university for a Bachelor’s degree may reapply for continuation of the exemption. This is pending available waivers.
4. A 3.0 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).
5. Students must return to Brazil for a period of time equal to the exemption period within three years of their completing undergraduate or graduate study.

These areas of study and students are NOT eligible for the tuition waivers:

• Doctoral programs
• Vocational or online degree programs
• Professional advanced degrees (MD, JD, DVM, etc)
• English as a Second Language (ESL) or English for Academic Purpose (EAP) classes
• Remedial courses meant to prepare students for college level courses

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION:

Priority will be given to renewal applicants remaining in good academic standing who meet the first deadline with complete renewal packets. For new applicants, priority will be provided on a first come first serve basis. 

New applicants, applications will be evaluated based on:

1. Academic merit.
2. Statement of purpose, including stated career goals and ability to contribute to the Institute’s goals of promoting “business, educational, cultural and scientific exchange between Florida and Brazil.”
3. Letters of recommendation.
4. Applicants nearing completion of their degree program.

One must comply with all the required documentation and timing for the process. Through the FBLI tuition waiver program, if awarded, international tuition is waived, and your tuition cost is like any in-state student in any public university in the State of Florida system. The FBLI is not a scholarship and evaluations are final.

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Recipient Obligations

If you are an Out-of-State Tuition Exemption recipient, you must comply with the following guidelines:

1. If you receive a waiver but do not enroll: If for any reason you do not enroll for a term for which you have already received the waiver, notify the Institute prior to the first day of classes for that term.
2. Change in courses: As necessary, submit an updated Course Form to verify schedule changes.
3. Semester GPA checks: At the end of each semester, send an unofficial transcript to the Florida/Brazil Institute, even if you are not planning to reapply for the following academic year. If your GPA falls below 3.0, you have one semester to bring it back up.
4. Report any changes of academic status: Report any changes of academic status, visa information, or contact information to the Institute.
5. At the start of your last semester receiving a waiver: Contact the FBLI Team at FBLI@latam.ufl.edu to close out your file.
6. Before completing or terminating your studies in Florida: Submit the Agreement to Return to notify the Institute of your plans to return to Brazil.

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