When do classes start for Florida colleges, universities in fall 2025? Here's the list
Also, the state's back-to-school tax-free holiday has been expanded this year from two weeks to the entire month of August.
There aren't many more state changes to be aware of. While several of Florida's new laws address education, this year's batch is almost entirely aimed at K-12 schools.
However, the future of the state's university system may make a dramatic shift as part of Gov. Ron DeSantis' push to "reclaim" higher education from what he calls ideological activists. On July 11, the Board of Governors that oversees higher education in Florida approved the creation of the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE) as an alternative to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOG).
Five other Southern states — Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Tennessee — have signed on to create the new accreditor.
Here's what to know about college and university start dates. Dates are subject to change to meet conditions, such as tropical weather activity.
The back-to-school sales tax holiday will be from Aug. 1-31, 2025.
The monthlong holiday replaces the two-week tax holiday held in prior years.
Items exempt from sales tax from Aug. 1-31 include:
Most school supplies selling for $50 or less
Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles selling for $30 or less
Clothing, footwear and accessories selling for $100 or less
Computers and related accessories selling for $1,500 or less (when purchased for non-commercial and personal use)
A full list of qualifying items will be "coming soon" and posted at floridarevenue.com/backtoschool, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.
Check individual institutions for registration and drop/add deadlines, move-in dates (where applicable) and more. Note that some universities may have staggered start dates for different programs, the dates shown are the earliest class start dates.
(Daytona Beach): Aug. 18
(Tallahassee): Aug. 25
(Boca Raton): Aug. 9
(Fort Myers): Aug. 18
(Miami): Aug. 25
(Lakeland): Aug. 18
(Tallahassee): Aug. 25
(Sarasota): Aug. 18
(Orlando): Aug. 18
(Gainesville): Aug. 21
(Jacksonville): Aug. 18
(Tampa): Aug. 25
(Pensacola): Aug. 25
Check individual institutions for registration and drop/add deadlines, move-in dates (where applicable) and more. Note that some colleges may have staggered start dates for different programs, the dates shown are the earliest class start dates.
(Davie): Aug. 15
(Marianna): Aug. 18
(Ocala): Aug. 18
(Daytona Beach): Aug. 25
(Cocoa): Aug. 18
(Lake City): Aug. 18
(Key West): Aug. 19
(Fort Myers): Aug. 25
(Jacksonville): Aug. 25
(Panama City): Aug. 18
(Tampa): Aug. 18
(Fort Pierce): Aug. 20
(Leesburg): Aug. 18
(Miami): Aug. 25
(Madison): Aug. 18
(Niceville): Aug. 18
(Lake Worth): Aug. 25
(New Port Richey): Aug. 18
(Pensacola): Aug. 18
(Winter Haven): Aug. 11
(Gainesville): Aug. 25
(Sanford): Aug. 25
(Avon Park): Aug. 13
(Palatka): Aug. 25
(St. Petersburg): Aug. 18
(Bradenton): Aug. 11
(Tallahassee): Aug. 18
(Orlando): Aug. 18
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida colleges, universities: Start dates, back-to-school tax-free
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