NC Residency for Tuition Purposes

Under North Carolina law (G.S. 116-143.1) and North Carolina Central University policy, residency for tuition purposes is determined through the Residency Determination Service (RDS). Initial classification as either a North Carolina resident or non-resident is based on information provided on the application for admission. Students are responsible for completing the residency determination process in order to be properly classified for tuition purposes.

Residency decisions are made on an individual basis by a residency classification officer in accordance with North Carolina statutes and the North Carolina State Residence Classification Manual. If a student wishes to petition for reclassification of residency status, they must complete the Residency Determination Service process at www.ncresidency.org no later than the 10th day of the term for which residency classification is being requested.

To qualify for North Carolina in-state residency for tuition purposes, you must demonstrate that you:

• Have established legal residence (domicile) in North Carolina
• Have maintained that domicile for at least twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the beginning of the term
• Have a residential presence in the state
• Intend to make North Carolina your permanent home indefinitely, rather than residing in the state solely for educational purposes

Students must complete the NC Residency Determination Service (RDS) application if they meet one or more of the following conditions:

• You have never completed an RDS application
• You completed an RDS application as an undergraduate student but experienced a break in enrollment and your determination has expired or will expire before beginning your graduate program
• You completed an RDS application as a graduate student but experienced a leave of absence and your determination has expired or will expire before re-enrollment

Completion of this process is a state law requirement and UNC System policy applicable to all public institutions in North Carolina. Students may initiate and complete the RDS process prior to admission or readmission.

To complete the residency determination process: 

1. Visit the NC Residency Determination Service: www.ncresidency.org
2. Complete and submit the RDS application
3. Receive your Residency Certification Number (RCN), typically within 24–48 hours if no additional documentation is required
4. Log back into your NCCU application portal (gradapply.nccu.edu) and enter your RCN
5. Email [email protected] to verify the update

If you receive an out-of-state determination, you are not required to submit your RCN to NCCU and should be prepared to pay out-of-state tuition rates. Students may appeal residency determinations directly through the RDS system. We strongly encourage students to complete the residency determination process as early as possible to ensure accurate tuition classification and avoid delays in enrollment or billing.