The State of North Carolina has changed its method of determining residency for purposes of state financial aid. Beginning on December 5, 2016, that determination will no longer be made by the campus but instead will be made by the State through its Residency Determination Service (RDS) website.
North Carolina residency must be determined via RDS before any financial aid from the state can be considered.
Below is general information about RDS that may prove helpful. There is also more detailed information on the RDS website.
RDS is new to North Carolina and provides residency determinations in accordance with North Carolina residency laws and applicable federal statutes for the purposes of in-state tuition and state financial aid.
To prove North Carolina residency and be eligible for a state grant; the student must demonstrate through RDS:
For many students, the residency classification process is simple. If the student was born in North Carolina and has lived in the State all his/her life, the student will probably be one of many students who are classified as North Carolina residents. If the student now lives in, recently lived in, or still have strong ties to another state, RDS may require more in-depth information or documentation. Any information the student provides will be validated against federal and North Carolina state agency databases. The student MUST:
1. Access RDS in two ways:
2. The student must use CFNC login to access RDS; if the student does not have a CFNC login, a new account and login must be created at ncresidency.org. This account login will be the same as a CFNC login. There is no separate login for RDS.
3. Start the RDS Interview (select “Complete Residency Determination” button):
4. Additional directions, information and next steps can be found on the RDS website at https://www.ncresidency.org.
5. All questions regarding NC residency and the RDS website can be directed to:
Toll Free Student Number: (844) 319-3640
Local Student Number: (919) 835-2290
Fax Number: (919) 835-2427