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NCRDS

The state of North Carolina partially subsidizes the cost of North Carolina public college and university tuition for all students whose domicile, or permanent legal residence, is in North Carolina. Residency determination establishes if students should have in-state or out-of-state tuition. Because North Carolina residency status is governed solely by North Carolina statute, lack of eligibility for in-state status in another state does not guarantee in-state status in North Carolina. The residency statute mandates only those who can demonstrate a minimum of twelve months of uninterrupted domicile (legal residence) in North Carolina are eligible for in-state tuition. The statute also places the burden of proof on the student to establish, by a preponderance of evidence, that they are a bona fide domiciliary rather than mere residents of North Carolina. 

The Residency Determination Service (RDS) was established in coordination with the University of North Carolina (UNC), the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), and the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) as the centralized service for determining residency for students. This service enables a student to use one residency determination for admissions applications to multiple North Carolina public colleges and universities and to demonstrate residency for state aid programs consideration at all (public and private) North Carolina colleges and universities.

Navigating FAFSA and RDS

Complete the RDS FIRST:

  • BEFORE College Admission Applications 
  • WITH parents if under 24 (RDS MUST have parent(s)’ information) 
  • Complete FAFSA at the same time --- much of the information is the same

Students GO TO: NC Residency Determination

  1. Login to RDS using your CFNC User Name and Password (Create an account or RESET, if you can’t remember) 
  2. Update Student Profile (BE ACCURATE – SSN and Date of Birth are critical) 
  3. Do RDS Online Interview (student information and/or parent(s)’ information:
    • social security numbers (or other identifiable number)
    • tax return information
    • vehicle registration
    • driver’s license
    • voter registration
    • other information about residency in North Carolina
  4. Upload documents that RDS requires (RDS tells you if you need documents) 

Students MUST REMEMBER:

  • BE ACCURATE!! Mistakes cause BIG problems in RDS and at the college(s)
  • FINISH the RDS Interview OR request is cancelled and student starts over DON’T GUESS!! RDS checks answers with other NC State Agencies
  • Guess/make-up answers = non-resident status
  • SUBMIT DOCS: Student has 25 days. Student is NOT done until RDS has required documents

RDS Determination Screen – when students finish, they see:

  • RCN Student’s Residency Certification Number (unique identifier that never changes)
  • CLASSIFICATION Student’s is “Resident or Non-resident” AND “In-State or Out-of-state Tuition”
  • DOCUMENTS Most students will not need documents
  • RDS tells student if RDS needs documents and which ones
  • Student UPLOADS or sends to RDS Student has 25 days. Student is NOT done until RDS has required documents

Student DOES NOT AGREE with RDS determination? Students can:

  • Log in to RDS to review status, residency classification, and check for required documents
  • Correct or enter additional information in a RECONSIDERATION
  • Have 10 days to request an APPEAL (provide special information to prove NC residency)
  • Call RDS toll-free: 844-319-3640