In the wake of hurricane Maria tearing through Puerto Rico, FAU chose to honor Governor Rick Scott’s request for public universities and colleges to exempt the Caribbean island’s current college students from out-of-state tuition costs.

“This decision not only will help our affected students deal with the crushing challenges facing them and their families, but more broadly will also advance important missions of the University,” Joshua Glanzer, assistant vice president for FAU Media Affairs and Public Relations, said.

Glanzer said that there are currently nine students at FAU with a permanent address in Puerto Rico. The university’s decision means that these students will now pay in-state tuition rates.

He added that at this time, FAU is not planning any other services for those students from Puerto Rico affected by the storm.

Other colleges and universities across the state have also implemented the waiver, including: the University of Central Florida, Florida International University, Palm Beach State College, Broward College, and Miami-Dade College, according to the Orlando Sentinel and the Sun Sentinel.

Benjamin Paley is a senior staff for the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected].