In addition to the guide below, please visit the FSU Graduate Enrollment Website for information on a multitude of topics beneficial to new students.
This guide will help you get started with:
- Applying for Florida Residency
- Obtaining Your FSU Card
- Activating Your FSUID Account
- Building, Office and Computer Lab Access
- Housing
A. Applying for Florida Residency
Funded U.S. graduates students must start the process of becoming a Florida resident before the first day of classes. Florida residents qualify for a lower tuition fee than out of state residents. This policy does not apply to funded international students. Funded positions include teaching assistantship (TA), online preceptors, research assistantship (RA), or technical/computer support technicians.
1. Legal – first year, before classes start: Obtain a Florida driver’s license or State of Florida identification card (non-drivers).
- Requirements to obtain a Driver’s license can be found at the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Florida voter registration or vehicle registration can also be provided in lieu of a license/identification card.
- Other acceptable documents are listed in the official residency reclassification form.
2. Physical – first year, before classes start: Copy of a 12 month housing or apartment lease agreement or deed. Residence in an on campus dorm does not support Florida residency for the purposes of tuition.
- You may submit a declaration of domicile in Florida in lieu of a lease. The declaration can be obtained for a ~$10 fee from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Leon County.
3. Complete the residency application – second year, before classes start: Submit the following documents (and the two documents above) to FSU that provide a rationale for being in Florida and proof of legal and physical ties to the state.
- Rationale for being in Florida: Official confirmation of Graduate Assistantship from the College employing you. Complete Part 1 of the Graduate Assistant Verification Form and obtain the Geography Department graduate director’s signature.
- Residency reclassification form: Read and fill out pages 3 and 4 of the official form.
- Submit all documentation to the FSU Registrar’s Office prior to the first day of classes for the semester you wish to claim Florida residency. Note: Applications will be accepted no earlier than one (1) month prior to the first day of classes.
For additional questions or information: Residency – FSU Admissions
B. Obtaining Your FSU Card
The FSUCard is your official University identification card. It will serve as your Bellamy building swipe card and provide access to the libraries, residence halls, buses, on-campus laundry, vending, and purchases at the FSU Bookstore and Computer Store. Visit FSUCard Services to obtain your card.
C. Activating Your FSUID Account
Graduate students will need to setup a FSUID account. Your FSUID is a unique login ID that provides you with an official email account; access to many FSU systems and resources, including myFSU Portal (e.g., registering for classes), Canvas (course websites), OMNI (e.g., human resources, paycheck), Wi-Fi, computer labs and more.
To activate your permanent FSUID, visit the FSUID Activation page. For more details, view our FSUID How-To Guide.
D. Building, Office and Computer Lab Access
Keys: As space permits, funded graduate students will be provided shared office space. Priority is typically given to teaching assistants with face to face sections (as opposed to online) and PhD students. Please see Adam Ware in Rm 323 of Bellamy to order an office key. After receiving confirmation emails (takes about two days) you may pick up the key at the Key Bank/Service Center (Mendenhall Bldg A, Room 150 on Learning Way).
Swipe Access: Swipe access is needed to enter Bellamy Hall and the department corridors after hours and on weekends. It is also needed to enter the GIS Lab. To gain card swipe access, email the 16-digit number on the front of your FSU Card (not your 14-digit library number) and your EMPLID number to Adam Ware.
E. Housing
The following information can help you start your housing search. However, the FSU Geography Department cannot directly help students find housing.
Moving to a new city can be exciting as well as a daunting prospect. Housing options in the area include apartments, condominiums, townhouses and rental homes. You can easily find a spacious one bedroom in town for less than $800 per month. There are several apartments that are walking distance of the Geography Department. Students ride can ride both the city (StarMetro) and campus bus service (Seminole Express) for free using their FSUID.
- Graduate Student Housing: Many on- and off-campus housing options are available for the approximately 8,000 graduate students attending Florida State.
- City of Tallahassee’s website: Information about utilities
- Center of Global Engagement: General information on housing and a list of apartments recommended by current International Students.
- Student Government Association off-campus housing: You can create an account with your FSU email, complete a personal profile and communicate with other FSU students looking for a room or someone to share their apartment with.