To qualify as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, the claimant (person claiming residency for the student; may be a parent, spouse, legal guardian, or the student themselves) must have established and maintained legal residence and physical presence in Florida for at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes of the term for which Florida residency is being sought. The law allows U.S. citizens, permanent resident aliens, or legal aliens granted indefinite stay by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to be classified as a Florida resident if the applicant, or the claimant in cases where the student is dependent, has met the requirement of residency in the state for at least 12 months preceding the first day of classes. Persons who do not meet the following requirements may be classified as a Florida resident only if they fall within one of the special categories as noted in Section 1009.21, Florida Statutes.