NC Residency for Tuition Purposes

In compliance with state law, the University of North Carolina system requires students to request a residency classification from the centralized Residency Determination Service (RDS). RDS is the entity responsible for all new classifications of residency in North Carolina. As a result, all residency questions and inquiries must be directed to RDS. The contact information for the centralized Residency Determination Service (RDS) is:

www.NCresidency.org
884-319-3640
RDS Guidebook

Check out the Student FAQs on the RDS website for answers to the most asked questions!

Who has to complete RDS?

• Any new undergraduate or graduate student applying for admission and claiming in-state residency.
• Any student transferring from one school to another school. Former students who have sat out for more than 2 semesters.
• Any student who has completed RDS previously but whose RCN has expired. Visit the RDS website to check your status.
• Any student changing academic levels (i.e. undergraduate to graduate).
• Any out-of-state student seeking a reclassification.
• Veterans and dependents applying for tuition benefit.
• Students applying for the online Outside NC special tuition rate.

To qualify for in-state residency, you must show that you:

• have established your legal residence (domicile) in North Carolina
• have maintained that domicile for at least twelve (12) consecutive months before the beginning of the term
• have a residency presence in the state
• intend to make North Carolina your permanent home indefinitely (rather than being in North Carolina solely to attend college)

These are amongst many factors that RDS uses to determine residency. Meeting the above requirements does not guarantee in-state status. Contact RDS with any questions.

WHat to expect when using RDS

• Applicants can complete the RDS process before, during, or after completing the admissions application. Any student claiming in-state residency must complete RDS regardless of their length of time in North Carolina.
• You will only have to complete the process once when applying for admission, no matter how many NC college or university admissions applications you complete. Be sure to note the RCN number you receive after you complete RDS.
• You will complete an online interview and may be asked to provide documentation afterward. Required information will include identification numbers for you and/or your parents, such as you might provide for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is a good idea to have this kind of information easily available at the time you complete the RDS interview. If you do not, RDS will save any confirmed information and allow you to re-enter the interview process where you left off.
• The information that you submit will be validated against federal and North Carolina state agency databases. Please keep a copy of all application materials for your records.
• Once you have completed RDS, you will receive an initial classification, but it will not be updated by the institution until the validation is complete and the institution receives notification of the official determination which typically takes 24-48 hours.
• Additional information about the RDS process is available at www.NCresidency.org.

CHECK YOUR STATUS

You can check the status of your residency application via the North Carolina Residency Determination Service. If you have questions about your status, contact RDS. UNCG will have very little information other than the RDS determination and expiration date.

Timing of residency decisions

When you apply for residency through RDS, you will have an “Effective Decision Date” for your residency decision.

• If you receive a “validated” in-state decision with an Effective Decision Date on or before the cut-off date/deadline, you will be considered in-state for the current semester.
• If you receive a “validated” in-state decision with an Effective Decision Date after the cut-off date/deadline, you will be considered in-state for a future semester. If you are enrolled in classes for the current semester, you will remain out-of-state for the current semester.
• In order for your residency determination to affect the tuition rate for the current term at UNC Greensboro, your RDS determination must have an effective date on, or before, the 45th day for fall and spring semesters or 10th day for summer terms.
• Residency decisions take time. We encourage you to start your application process as soon as possible before the beginning of the term. It may take several days for the validation process to be completed.
• Regardless of your residency determination status, the tuition and fee amount shown as due on your student account must be paid by the payment deadline or you could risk being dropped from your classes.

Once you are admitted as a resident and charged in-state tuition, it is likely that your tuition status will remain the same unless there is a change of circumstances that may require an updated review. If you experience a change of circumstances, please contact the Residency Determination Service.

Residency for UNC System Employees and Families

Permanent full-time employees of the University of North Carolina who are legal residents of North Carolina qualify as residents for tuition purposes even if they have not maintained legal residency for the required 12 consecutive months prior to residence classification. Spouses and dependent children (using income tax dependency as the standard) of full-time UNC employees who are legal residents also qualify for this benefit. There is no limit on the number or type of courses for which this benefit will apply.

UNC System employees or eligible family members wishing to use this benefit are required to email ugreside@uncg.edu to begin the process for an exception.

Reconsideration and Appeals

Students who have been determined as nonresidents by RDS may request a reconsideration and appeal of their determination for tuition purposes through RDS. To request a reconsideration or appeal, go to www.NCresidency.org and login to your CFNC account. UNCG recommends that non-residents appeal quickly. The same time frame applies to appeals – Your final RDS determination must have an effective date on, or before the 45th day for fall and spring semesters or 10th day for summer term. RDS determinations received after these dates will not affect the tuition rate for the current term but will take effect for the next term.

Residency and Financial Aid

To be considered for state grants and scholarships you must be classified as in-state by RDS.

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships may contact you if they receive information from RDS that there may be a residency discrepancy that must be resolved.

If you have questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at finaid@uncg.edu.