The Academic Common Market (ACM) is a consortium of university academic degree programs in 15 states sponsored by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). Students wishing to pursue a program of study not available in their home state may be able to do so in another participating ACM institution at the in-state tuition rate. The 15 states participating in the consortium are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Florida participates in the ACM only at the graduate level of study. This means that a Florida resident going to another state or a resident of another state coming to Florida can only enroll in a program at the graduate degree level. Additionally, self-supporting and market tuition rate education programs are not eligible for inclusion in the ACM, per Board of Governors Regulation 8.002, Self-Supporting and Market Tuition Rate Program and Course Offerings.
It is important to note that while a particular state may participate in the ACM, individual institutions may place additional requirements governing student participation in the program. Further, some institutions in a given state may not participate in the program.
The ACM program is not competitive or merit-based; applicants must meet state residency and college program requirements.
Eligibility
Florida residents who wish to pursue a graduate program of study that the State University System of Florida does not offer through the ACM program must meet the following conditions:
- Be admitted unconditionally into a degree-granting, graduate-level program. Undergraduate programs, certificate programs, post-baccalaureate programs, and correspondence programs are not eligible.
- Confirm that an institution within the State University System of Florida does not offer the desired degree program.
- Submit a minimum three pieces of documentary evidence to verify Florida residency as described on the State of Florida ACM Application.
Non-Florida residents interested in Florida public university degree programs should refer to the SREB/ACM website or contact their State ACM Coordinator for information and to obtain an application.
Available Degree Programs
Applicants can use the “Search for Programs” feature on the SREB/ACM website to find graduate programs already approved for the ACM for residents of Florida. If the specific program of interest is listed, applicants can complete and submit the State of Florida ACM Application. If a program of interest is not on this list and it does not appear on the list of removed programs, then it is possible to nominate the program for consideration for Florida residents.
Note that applications take time to process. Students should consult with the ACM Institutional Coordinator and the institution offering the program to inquire about specific deadlines. Allow a minimum of seven weeks for applications to be processed.
The State of Florida completes a required annual review of all out-of-state ACM programs available to our residents to ensure no duplication of programs offered by institutions in the State University System of Florida. When an out-of-state program is more than 51% similar to a program offered at a State University System institution, it is not eligible for inclusion in the ACM for Florida residents. Programs removed through this process are ineligible for two academic years before they may be reconsidered.
Applicants can review the list of ineligible programs by clicking here. Applications for any program appearing on this list submitted for consideration before the Reconsideration Eligibility Term will be not be approved.
Application
Florida residents should submit the State of Florida ACM Application to the ACM State Coordinator.
Students should consider the following recommended dates for applying for participation in the ACM. The dates are not deadlines but are guidelines intended to ensure student applications are processed in time for the upcoming semester:
- Fall Semester: May 1st
- Spring Semester: October 1st
- Summer Semester: March 1st
Applications received after the dates above will be processed but cannot be guaranteed to be completed before the start of the indicated semester. Applications will not be processed until the ACM State Coordinator receives all required documentation.
Acceptance into the Academic Common Market for Florida residents will be determined by degree program availability and verification of residency. A certification letter will be sent to the student and the ACM Institutional Coordinator upon approval.
Program Costs
There is no charge to apply for ACM consideration. Following approval, each student will be assessed in-state tuition rates and fees for the duration of their program of study as long as they are continuously enrolled in the ACM-approved degree program.
Questions
If you have questions regarding the ACM program for the State of Florida, please email the Florida ACM State Coordinator at [email protected].