NC Residency for Tuition Purposes

Your residency for tuition purposes determines your in-state or out-of-state status and may impact your admission, tuition, or scholarship or financial aid eligibility. North Carolina residency for tuition purposes is governed by North Carolina State law. More information about North Carolina residency for tuition purposes can be found a www.ncresidency.org.

You must complete the NC Residency Determination Services (RDS) application if you meet one or more of the following:

• You have never completed the RDS application
• You completed the RDS application as an undergraduate student but took a break before you enrolled in graduate school and your determination has expired or will expire before you enroll in an NC graduate school program
• You completed the RDS application as a graduate student but took a leave of absence and your determination has expired or will expire before you re-enroll or return back to complete your graduate degree

Again, this is a new state law requirement and policy to which all universities/colleges in the UNC System must adhere. It is okay to initiate and complete this part of the admissions process prior to your admission or readmission.

To start your NC Residency Determination Services application, complete the following steps:

1. Go to NC Residency Determination: www.ncresidency.org.
2. Complete and submit your Residency Determination Services application.
3. Residency determinations are usually provided within 24–48 hours of submitting the NC Residency application if additional documentation is not required after your application is submitted and initially reviewed.
4. Once you receive your RCN number and it is validated, log back into your application, enter the number and email the number to [email protected]. Only persons who received an in-state determination should email their RCN number.
5. If you did not receive an in-state determination, you do not need to submit the number you received, and you should be prepared to pay the out-of-state tuition rate.

Persons who do not receive an in-state determination can appeal the initial determination through the NC Residency Determination Services application system.