Residency Determination Services (RDS)

Every student attending college in North Carolina must complete the RDS process to determine if they will be chargerd in-state or out-of-state tuition.

The RDS process involves an online "interview" process -- bascially, you answer a bunch of questions -- that result in a determination of your residency for tuition purposes. When all goes smoothly, you receive an RDS Number at the end of the interview process. Sometimes there are items that come up in the interview process that may require the student or family to provide additional documentation. You will receive specific instructions on what to do should this happen. 

*TIP: This is easiest to do when the student and parent sit down and complete it together.*

• RDS Website

• Residency Determination Service FAQs