Nocatee, Florida — The Florida State Board of Education approved a policy Tuesday that bars undocumented students from attending the 28-institution Florida College System, Higher Ed Dive reported July 2.
Nocatee, a master-planned community in St. Johns County about 20 miles southeast of Jacksonville, has roughly 25,000 residents and sits near the PGA TOUR headquarters area.
Under the approved rule, Florida College System institutions may admit only students who are U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the United States. Students must attest to that status before admission and provide documentation before enrolling.
The policy applies to the state college system, which is separate from Florida’s public university system. Higher Ed Dive reported that university system leaders are considering a similar rule after an initial vote last week.
The rule follows a 2025 legislative repeal of a statute that had allowed some undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Florida public institutions.
Higher Ed Dive cited a Florida Policy Institute estimate that the change could cost the state college system $15 million a year in lost tuition and fee revenue.
