• North Carolina Residency Determination

     

    Here are steps to apply through CFNC:

    You will also need to fill out Residency Determination to prove that you are a resident of North Carolina to be eligible for in-state tuition

    North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) High School Students

    Seniors applying to In-State NC Colleges and Universities must fill out the RDS form in order to be eligible for In-State Tuition. Here are Important Things to remember and steps on how to complete the form.

    A. Students DO RDS FIRST:

    • BEFORE College Admission Applications
    • INDEPENDENT if 24 or older (OR student MUST PROVE no financial dependence on parents)
    • WITH parents if under 24 (RDS MUST have parent(s)’ information)
    • FAFSA at the same time --- much of the information is the same 

    B. Students GO TO: RDS at www.ncresidency.org

    STEP 1) Login to RDS using your CFNC User Name and Password (RESET, if you can’t remember)

    STEP 2) Update student Profile (BE ACCURATE – SSN and Date of Birth are critical)

    STEP 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

    STEP 4) Upload documents that RDS requires (RDS tells you if you need documents

    C. Students MUST REMEMBER:

    • BE ACCURATE mistakes cause BIG problems in RDS and at the college(s)
    • FINISH 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

    D. 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

    E. Student DOES NOT AGREE with RDS determination? Student 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

     

    F. Student then does COLLEGE ADMISSION APPLICATION(S):

    • Student goes to CFNC.org APP HUB or goes to college website for application
    • Student RCN prefills on CFNC applications
    • Student enters RCN when asked on other applications