As Puerto Rico recovers from the effects of Hurricane Irma and Maria, the University of Central Florida will allow students who are residents of Puerto Rico and are displaced from their home to qualify for in-state tuition.

The Board of Trustees unanimously voted Wednesday morning to pass the motion.

“This is a compassionate way to help our students, and I fully support it,” UCF President John C. Hitt said.

Florida Governor Rick Scott encouraged Florida universities and state colleges to “allow any student who has been displaced from their home in Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria to be eligible for in-state tuition,” Scott said in a letter.

“As of Sept. 27, about 120 UCF students list their residencies as being in Puerto Rico and are eligible for in-state tuition rates this semester and in the spring 2018 semester,” UCF said.

“UCF will soon contact eligible students about this new option. Students with questions can call the UCF Registrar’s Office at 407-823-5510.”