Two proposed rules from the Florida Department of Education would bar undocumented students from public colleges and adult education programs — a restriction the Legislature considered and rejected in both chambers this session.^[1][4][5]

These rules exceed FLDOE's rulemaking authority,^[3] conflict with federal student privacy law (FERPA),^[2] and would cost Florida's colleges an estimated $15 million a year^[7][8] — all while shutting motivated students out of the classroom and the workforce.

We've already filed formal opposition. Now we need yours.

Submit Your Comment Now

It takes less than five minutes. Use the sample letter below, or write your own.

Dear Members of the State Board of Education,

I am writing to oppose Proposed Rule 6A-10.0240 and Proposed Rule 6A-6.014, which would bar undocumented students from Florida's public colleges and Adult General Education programs. I urge the Department to withdraw both.

These rules contradict the Legislature's intent. This exact restriction was removed from legislation in both chambers during the 2026 session. They also exceed the Department's rulemaking authority by adding immigration-status requirements that the governing statutes do not contain, conflict with the constitutional duty to educate all children and with federal student-privacy law (FERPA), and would cost Florida's colleges roughly $15 million a year while pushing motivated learners out of the workforce.

I respectfully ask the Department to withdraw these rules in full.

Sincerely,
[Name]

How to submit:

1. Go to https://web02.fldoe.org/rules
2. Click "Submit Comment" on:
   • Proposed Rule 6A-6.014, General Requirements for Adult General Education Programs
   • Proposed Rule 6A-10.0240, Minimum Standards for Out-of-State High School Equivalency Diplomas
3. Paste in the letter above (personalized, if you'd like)

Every comment matters. Thank you for speaking up.

Sources

1. Florida Policy Institute — "Florida Seeks to Ban Undocumented Students from Adult General Education Programs and Florida Public Colleges" — link
2. Florida Policy Institute — FPI comments on Rule 6A-10.0240 (FERPA conflict) — link
3. WUSF — "Florida wants to bar undocumented immigrant students from public colleges" (rulemaking authority) — link
4. CBS News Miami — "Florida Department of Education proposes new rule to ban undocumented immigrants from state college admission" — link
5. AOL/Tampa Free Press — "Battle Lines Drawn In Florida Over Excluding Undocumented Students From Colleges, Adult Ed" (Legislature rejected restrictions) — link
6. Mid Florida Newspapers — "Florida groups call out FLDOE efforts targeting undocumented students" (board vote timeline) — link
7. South Florida Times — "Florida proposal bans college admission, adult education classes for undocumented students" ($15M cost) — link
8. WUFT — "Proposal would block immigrants unlawfully in US from Florida colleges" ($15M cost) — link