Student FAQs

Error code 110716 occurs if you attempt to log in to RDS using a different username than you previously logged in with. Creating a new login will NOT resolve this error code.

To resolve error code 110716, log in with your original username. If you cannot recall your original username and/or password, you can retrieve your username and/or reset your password here: Username/Password Reset.

Yes. Providing any required documents allows RDS to review your residency claim.

For initial consideration requests, RDS communicates your residency status immediately following your completion of the RDS online interview. This determination is contingent upon you submitting any required documentation and passing validation of the information you provide.

• If you do not submit required documentation before the 25-day deadline, your residency status changes from resident to non-resident.
  
  
• RDS validates information you provide with federal and state agencies. Should the information you provide not validate, your residency status changes from resident to non-resident.

In addition to your residency determination status, RDS provides you a Residency Certification Number (RCN) and a summary of the information you enter.

For reconsideration and appeal requests, RDS staff must review the request in full before providing a residency status. RDS can review your request only after you provide all your required documents. If your required documents are not submitted before the 25-day deadline, your request is cancelled and your residency status remains non-resident.

The Residency Certification Number ("RCN") is a unique identifier that RDS assigns to you when you begin the RDS online interview. The RCN is unique to you. It provides confirmation that you have completed the RDS residency determination process. When you apply for admission at any NC college, the college may ask for your RCN in order to request data from RDS concerning your residency status.

The RCN is your unique identifier within the RDS system. Your RCN is always available to you by logging in to your RDS account. In addition, you may call toll-free 844.319.3640 or locally 919.835.2290 for assistance in accessing your account.

Yes. You may sign in using an existing CFNC account or you can use the RDS express registration.

The North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) call center at CFI provides comprehensive customer support for the students, families and schools utilizing the RDS system. The state-wide toll free number for students and families is 844.319.3640. The local number is 919.835.2290.

If you need help with the online process there are these supports:

• Campus-level assistance may be available fulfilling on-campus requirements for ADA compliance
  
  
• The North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) call center at CFI via a state-wide toll free number 844.319.3640. The local number is 919.835.2290.

Yes, school administrators can directly assist you with the RDS online technology, language, or process.

You can get help within the RDS online interview by looking for the "?" within the blue circle beside each question for an additional explanation of what information is needed or how to proceed from that point within the RDS online interview. If you are having technical difficulties, or cannot find an answer online, you may call the toll free number at 844.319.3640 or the local number at 919.835.2290 to speak with an RDS customer service representative. The customer service hours are Monday - Thursday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Fridays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Yes. Your information is automatically saved by RDS each time you confirm data on a confirmation screen. If you enter data, but do not confirm, you will have to re-enter that data when you return. It is important that you enter the most recent information in the RDS online interview. After 25 days, your information may no longer be current, so RDS cancels your request and you must start again.

To qualify for in-state tuition or to establish eligibility for state grant determination under North Carolina law, a student must prove:

• they established and maintained their legal residence in North Carolina for 12 months before claiming residency
  
  
• intent and capacity to maintain permanent legal residence in North Carolina
  
  
• they are here for a purpose other than going to college (some students may never qualify as an in-state resident for tuition purposes, particularly if they came to North Carolina to attend college)

Simply residing in North Carolina is NOT enough. A student must show permanent ties to North Carolina by proving that any previous state of residence has been abandoned. Students may not have more than one legal residence (domicile) at one time.

RDS validation confirms the accuracy of information you provide in the RDS online interview. RDS validates this information with federal and North Carolina state agencies or by requesting additional documentation (if needed). If the information you provide fails validation, you are classified as a non-resident and notified through email and text (if opted in).

• Any undergraduate or graduate student applying for admission, readmission or transfer to a state supported college or university and claiming residency must use RDS for residency determination.
• Students applying to, or enrolled at, a North Carolina Independent College or University who want a North Carolina state grant must use RDS for residency determination.
• A detailed listing of when to use RDS is listed in the Tuition Benefits section under the RDS and Campus-Level Residency Determinations section

In most cases, no, an annual review is not necessary. If you are admitted as a resident and charged in-state tuition by any North Carolina college, it is likely that you will maintain that tuition status unless there is change of circumstances which may be reason for an updated review. When there is a change of circumstance, for example, if your parents move to another state, students in this situation may qualify for a "grace period" for tuition during which the in-state rate will still be applicable even though the student is no longer a legal resident of North Carolina. The grace period can apply under certain circumstances both to currently enrolled students as well as to students who are no longer enrolled or who have graduated. The grace period does not apply to state funded financial aid. Grace periods are handled at the campus level.

As a high school student seeking CCP admission to a community college, you do not need a residency determination. When you graduate from high school and apply to college, you need to have an RDS residency determination. If you graduate from high school and college at the same time as a CCP student, you do not need an RDS residency determination unless you continue your education by seeking another community college degree or certification, or a bachelor's degree at another public college or university.

RDS validates the information you enter into the RDS online interview through database matches with certain North Carolina state agencies. Your SSN is critical to this validation. If you cannot (or will not) provide an SSN, RDS classifies you as out-of-state and you must then request an Appeal, which requires submission of paper identification.

We value your trust and understand handling your confidential information with care is of utmost importance. As a result, RDS takes the security of your information very seriously. RDS utilizes advanced technology to ensure any data received and stored is safe, secure and available to only authorized users.

Hosted in a secure server environment, RDS uses firewalls and other advanced technologies to prevent interference or access from outside intruders, including:

• Computer anti-virus software that detects and prevents viruses from entering the computer network systems
• Defense in Depth technology such as firewalls that block unauthorized access by individuals or networks
• Encryption software such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) to protect the data you input from unauthorized access by third parties when in route between your browser and the RDS servers and when in route between the RDS servers and some other browser or server
• Password protection to ensure that access is provided only to you, anyone to whom you entrust the password and those RDS staff who require such access to administer the Service, and
• External security assessments and vulnerability scans used to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities within the system
• Data destruction procedures to ensure your information is removed from our systems as soon as possible according to the RDS Data Destruction Policy

For more information about the information security practices associated with RDS, please read the Privacy Policy & Terms of Use accessible via the link provided at the bottom of each page of the website.

Your privacy is important to RDS and we will not share your data without your express permission. If you would like RDS to speak with another person about your residency request, a third party release is required. Click here for a copy of the release.

 Click the icon at the bottom of this page to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

If you or your parents cannot provide a SSN, ITIN, I-94, ARN, or USCIS identification number, you will be considered a nonresident as part of your initial consideration. If you are unable to provide one of these identification numbers, RDS is unable to validate your information with federal and state agencies and you are considered a nonresident for tuition purposes. All students have the ability to appeal a nonresident decision and the ability to provide additional information to support their North Carolina residency.

During an appeal, RDS will consider information pertaining to the student and parent(s). All students must have legal capacity to be determined a resident for North Carolina tuition and state grant purposes. In addition, RDS will require the student (if the student is self-sufficient) and parent(s) (if the student is not self-sufficient) to prove North Carolina domiciliary acts.

Yes. Providing any required documents allows RDS to review your residency claim.

The RDS Reconsideration process is for a student who:

• needs to correct certain errors in the information submitted during the initial consideration request;
  
  
• has a change in personal circumstances since the original determination (e.g., got married, joined the military, etc.)
  
  
• failed to submit required documentation by the 25-day deadline for an initial consideration
  
  
• has a determination which is about to expire and wants to transfer schools or has not been continuously enrolled
  
  
• is requested by their campus to complete a reconsideration

The RDS Reconsideration allows you to change information about yourself or your circumstances; however, you are limited to three Reconsideration requests every 90 days. Should RDS still determine that you are a non-resident, and you disagree, you have the option to Appeal. Go to the Residency Guidelines section of the website to learn more about Reconsideration.

RDS does not know where you choose to apply or enroll. It is your responsibility to let your campus know if there has been a change in classification. The school then downloads your new data from RDS and determines when (in which term) to change your tuition rate to in-state. Check your bill at the school and be sure that the school has processed the change.

Tuition payment arrangements must be in place at the time of registration. If you have requested Reconsideration or an Appeal and RDS determines you are a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes, the college refunds or credits the difference between the out-of-state tuition rate and the in-state rate in the current term or the next term, according to campus policies.

There are no deadlines to complete a reconsideration. Reconsideration requests may be submitted up to three times every 90 days.

You may request an Appeal if you believe that the RDS process has failed to accurately consider important information regarding your residency claim. There are two types of appeal:

1. RDS Appeal - the RDS Appeal is for students who believe their active residency determination is incorrect - either from an initial consideration or a reconsideration. Students have the ability to request the RDS Appeal online, submit additional information and documentation to support their claim, and meet face-to-face (or via technology) to review their appeal.
   
   
2. SEAA Appeal - the SEAA Appeal is the final administrative step in the residency process. The appeal is conducted by a statewide committee comprised of representatives from the North Carolina Community College System, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, State Education Assistance Authority, and The University of North Carolina System. No additional documentation or information is permitted by RDS or the student in this appeal.

Both the RDS Appeal and SEAA Appeal require submitting a notification to appeal within 10 calendar days of the determination the student is appealing. Requests for appeal after 10 calendar days are not permitted. Go to the Residency Guidelines section of the website to learn more about Appeals.

Yes. You have the right to appeal an RDS Appeal decision. To learn more about requesting a second-level SEAA Appeal go to the Residency Guidelines section of the website.

Yes. Your RCN remains the same indefinitely.

To qualify for in-state tuition or to establish eligibility for state grant determination under North Carolina law, a student must prove:

• they established and maintained their legal residence in North Carolina for 12 months before claiming residency
  
  
• intent and capacity to maintain permanent legal residence in North Carolina
  
  
• they are here for a purpose other than going to college (some students may never qualify as an in-state resident for tuition purposes, particularly if they came to North Carolina to attend college)

Simply residing in North Carolina is NOT enough. A student must show permanent ties to North Carolina by proving that any previous state of residence has been abandoned. Students may not have more than one legal residence (domicile) at one time.

A preponderance of evidence means RDS reviews information about you to determine if the greater weight (preponderance) of the information you provide indicates you moved to North Carolina for reasons other than attending college. North Carolina is not a checklist state; there is not a "list" of things you can do to guarantee a determination of in-state residency. Evidence means providing information or documentation supporting the residency acts RDS asks you about that show you established residence in a North Carolina domicile at least 12 months before claiming residency.

Yes. The law presumes residency classification is the same as the student's, parent(s), or legal guardian, but this presumption may be changed by other information regarding a number of factors:

• the student is financially independent from parent(s) and/or guardian(s)
  
  
• the student can demonstrate how you support yourself and substantiate your financial independence
  
  
• other circumstances about the student

Yes. A legal resident is someone who comes to North Carolina and has physical presence for at least one day, with the intent to make North Carolina a permanent home indefinitely.

A resident for tuition purposes or for eligibility for state grant determination is governed by Article 14 of Chapter 116 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Many people who live in (or are residents of) North Carolina may not qualify under the statute. Under this law, to qualify for in-state tuition a student must prove they have established and continuously maintained legal residence in North Carolina for 12 months before they claim residency. A student must also prove you came to North Carolina for reasons other than attending college.

There is not a "list" of things a student can do to guarantee a determination of in-state residency. Rather, a student must show their intent to maintain legal residence in North Carolina. If a student permanently relocates to North Carolina, the student performs certain residentiary actions that tie you to North Carolina. However, performing residentiary acts, like obtaining a North Carolina driver's license, obtaining a job in North Carolina or even paying taxes in North Carolina, does not guarantee in-state residency. RDS considers numerous factors in determining whether or not a student is a resident for tuition purposes or if you are eligible for state grant determination.

Domicile is a legal term defined as the place where a person intends to remain and live permanently, and the place the person intends to return to after any absence. Permanency is the key. For example, a person who lives in a place for a temporary purpose such as to attend college, and who intends to live elsewhere when that purpose is accomplished, has not established domicile in that place. In NC such a person is not a resident for tuition purposes.

To qualify for in-state tuition or to establish eligibility for state grant determination, you or your parent(s)/guardian(s) must demonstrate capacity, presence, intent, and duration:

• Capacity: the ability to make North Carolina your permanent home legally and financially and remain in NC permanently
  • to claim residency on your own (separate from your parent(s)/guardian(s) you must demonstrate capacity based on your own financial resources, not through support from your parent(s) or through gifts from someone else
• Presence: be physically present in and reside in North Carolina
  
  
• Intent: perform various actions as evidence of making North Carolina your permanent home (domicile) rather than residing in the state for the purpose of attending college
  
  
• Duration: maintain a domicile continuously for at least 12 full months before you claim residency

The law presumes your residence is the same as that of your parent(s) or legal guardian, unless you show conclusively that you support yourself (your parents do not support you with funds, loans, gifts or by paying for your residence) and that you support your own residence and domicile in North Carolina. Unless you show that you are NOT supported by your parents, then residency determination for tuition purposes is, by law, always based on your parent(s)/guardian(s) information.

You are the only one who knows your true intent so you have the burden of proving your residency for tuition purposes. RDS must determine that your actions, taken as a whole, demonstrate your intent to make North Carolina your permanent dwelling place, rather than your residence in the state only for the purpose of attending college. This determination does not come from any single action, but from a cluster of events, which clearly show that at least 12 months before you claim residency the greater part of information about you points to North Carolina as your domicile. In other words, you have done the kinds of things that a permanent resident does, and have not been acting like a temporary visitor. There is no set checklist of items which guarantee a determination as a resident for tuition purposes.

RDS may ask you some of these important questions:

• Do you live in the home of your parent(s)?
  
  
• Did you or your parents file a North Carolina income tax return indicating that you were a resident during the last tax year?
  
  
• Is your vehicle registered in North Carolina?
  
  
• Do you have a current North Carolina driver license?
  
  
• Are you registered to vote in North Carolina?
  
  
• Where and when did you last vote?
  
  
• What is your financial capacity?
  
  
• What is the source(s) of your financial capacity?
  
  
• Do you own real estate in North Carolina?
  
  
• Where are you, or were you, employed or working and earning income?
  
  
• Where did you last attend, or graduate from, high school?

If you or your parents cannot provide a SSN, ITIN, ARN, I-94, or USCIS identification number, you will be considered a nonresident as part of your initial consideration. If you are unable to provide one of these identification numbers, RDS is unable to validate your information with federal and state agencies and you are considered a nonresident for tuition purposes. All students have the ability to appeal a nonresident decision and the ability to provide additional information to support their North Carolina residency.

During an appeal, RDS will consider information pertaining to the student and parent(s). All students must have legal capacity to be determined a resident for North Carolina tuition and state grant purposes. In addition, RDS will require the student (if the student is self-sufficient) and parent(s) (if the student is not self-sufficient) to prove North Carolina domiciliary acts.

North Carolina law affords in-state tuition rate benefits to certain military personnel and their dependents. Active duty members of the Armed Services living in North Carolina may be charged the in-state tuition rate. The dependents of certain members of the Armed Services who are stationed on active duty in North Carolina may qualify for the in-state tuition rate while sharing a home with the active duty service member.

When a qualifying active duty military member is reassigned outside of North Carolina while the member or dependent is enrolled in college, the military member or dependent relative remains eligible for the in-state tuition rate as long as he or she experiences no break in enrollment in the degree or other program in which he or she was enrolled at the time of the reassignment. Summer terms are not included in this sequential enrollment requirement. Qualifying members and dependents also remain eligible to pay in-state tuition if the active duty member receives an Honorable Discharge, so long as the member or dependent establishes legal residence in North Carolina within thirty days and meets the sequential enrollment requirement noted above, i.e. remains sequentially enrolled in the degree or other program in which he or she was enrolled at the time of the Honorable Discharge.

Additionally, any non-resident North Carolina National Guard Members in reserve or active duty status are eligible for the in-state tuition rate and all applicable mandatory fees. Application for this benefit must be made before first day of classes of the first enrolled term for which the benefit is sought. The person applying for this benefit has the burden of proving entitlement.

Go to the Tuition Benefits section of the website to learn more about Military Benefits and Residency.

Yes. Specifically, out-of-state tuition is waived for a veteran or a veteran's dependents who receive Chapter 30, Chapter 31, Chapter 33, or Fry Scholarship benefits AND who enroll within three years of the service member's discharge / retirement date. Each college has information on tuition benefits for veterans and application forms for consideration.

If a student is under age 18, the law considers the student's domicile to be the same as the parents' domicile because, as a minor, a student is not legally capable of establishing an independent domicile unless the student is married or an emancipated minor.

If the student is over age 18, RDS bases the claim of residency on the parent's information unless the student can prove that the student is:

• independent of their parent(s)
  
  
• "financially self-sufficient"

Unless a student clearly demonstrates both, regardless of age, RDS determines the claim of residency based on the parent's information.

The RDS Guidebook has additional information on age and residency status.

RDS determines a married person's domicile in the same way as an unmarried person:

• if you are a North Carolina resident, the fact you are married to a non-resident does not, by itself, deprive you of in-state residency status
  
  
• you do not become a North Carolina resident simply by marrying a North Carolina resident
  
  
• being married to a North Carolina resident may help if both of you have established a North Carolina domicile and one of you has been living in North Carolina over 12 months
  • the one who has lived in North Carolina for the shorter time may borrow from the other person to meet the 12-month requirement
    
    
  • you cannot add together the time you and your spouse have lived in North Carolina in order to get a total of 12 months; either you or your spouse must be a legal resident for at least 12 months

There may be additional marital facts that might affect your residency. Go to the Tuition Benefits section of the website to learn more about marriage and residency.

Yes, it is possible, but doing so will depend upon your particular circumstances. Certain visas and other immigration documents allow you to establish a domicile in the United States and thus in North Carolina. It depends on the type of immigration documents you hold, as well as the actions you have taken toward establishing North Carolina residency.

Even if your visa permits you to establish residence RDS will not automatically grant you in-state tuition status; rather it permits RDS to assess your actions establishing North Carolina as your permanent domicile. The RDS online interview walks you through whether you qualify or not.

Please see the Tuition Benefits section of the website for additional information in regards to non-U.S. citizens and residency.

No - Even if you have lived in North Carolina as a resident alien and have paid taxes, you must satisfy the 12-month waiting period from the date your permanent resident status was issued. The only exception is if you are a green card holder and are married to a qualified North Carolina resident who is a citizen, in which case you may use your spouse's duration in North Carolina to satisfy the 12-month requirement.

Maybe. If you are an NC resident and you claimed your daughter as a dependent for tax purposes on your NC tax return, then your daughter is eligible for in-state tuition. In addition to meeting this requirement, upon high school graduation your child must come to North Carolina, perform residentiary acts, and enter a North Carolina college during the fall immediately following high school graduation. This provision ONLY applies for the term immediately following high school graduation.

Not necessarily - there is more involved than just physical presence. You must prove that you have established legal residence (or domicile) in North Carolina for at least 12 consecutive months before you claim residency for tuition purposes. It must be clear that your intent is to make North Carolina your home indefinitely and that you did not come to North Carolina only to attend college.

To qualify for in-state tuition, you or your parent(s)/guardian(s) must demonstrate capacity, presence, intent, and duration:

• Capacity: the ability to make North Carolina your permanent home legally and financially and remain in NC permanently
  • to claim residency on your own (separate from your parent(s)/guardian(s) you must demonstrate capacity based on your own financial resources, not through support from your parent(s) or through gifts from someone else
    
    
• Presence: be physically present in and reside in North Carolina
  
  
• Intent: perform various actions as evidence of making North Carolina your permanent home (domicile) rather than residing in the state for the purpose of attending college
  
  
• Duration: maintain a domicile continuously for at least 12 full months before you claim residency

No. The law is very specific. The waiting period must be at least 12 months (365 days) before you claim residency. RDS determines whether you meet the 12 month requirement as of the date you claim residency.

Generally speaking, yes. No exceptions to this requirement are provided for students attending UNC system schools. However, if you plan to attend a NC community college, the college can qualify you for in-state tuition on the basis of your parent's employment-related move to NC. This exception is limited to 1% of the college's total out-of-state enrollment, which varies by college, so you will need to verify your eligibility with the college prior to enrollment. Also, if your NC employer is paying your tuition, any NC community college can charge your employer the in-state rate for your tuition; this exception does not have any limitations.

No, by law, moving to North Carolina for the purpose of attending college does not qualify a student for resident status, even after 12 months.

No, your principal residence must be in North Carolina.

No, your principal residence must be in North Carolina.

No, residency is determined based on where you have lived, worked, etc., for the 12 months immediately before you claim residency.

If you were classified as a resident for tuition purposes at a North Carolina college at the time you left school, or graduated and moved out of state, you do not lose your residence status if you move back to North Carolina and re-establish residency within 12 months of leaving. You may re-enroll at a North Carolina college as a resident without having to meet the 12 months durational requirement. You may only take advantage of this statutory provision once in your lifetime.

Yes. See the Tuition Benefits section of the website for a complete listing and explanation of special residency provisions.

No. DACA students are undocumented and, by North Carolina law, do not have capacity to be considered for residency. Students who identify themselves in a DACA status are classified as non-residents by RDS. Campuses may work with DACA students to identify any exceptions that may allow them to receive in-state tuition.