RDS: Residential Determination Service

Residency Determination Service

When applying to NC Public Post-Secondary Institutions (Community College or 4 Year University) , students must complete the RDS along with the institution's application.

Here is the link that directly takes you to the RDS application. You will receive a PIN Number at the end of the application process, that you then use to complete your college applications. If you are unable to complete the RDS application due to an extenuating circumstance, you will have to start the reconsideration or appeal process. Your counselor at Owen can help guide you through this process. https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo/home


For more information on the RDS process, check out CFNC's link below;

You can complete your NC determination through our sister site, NC Residency Determination Service. Simply log in with your CFNC account and get started now!

https://www.cfnc.org/apply-to-college/residency-determination/


Documents needed to complete the FAFSA and the RDS

  • NC Drivers License, ID, or Passports for parents and yourself. You will only need to provide the numbers initially, but if you have to go through the appeal process, they will require an actual photo.

  • Social Security Card or Work ID Number Card for parents and for yourself. You will need to know your social security number if you do not have your Social Security Card. If you or your parents do not have either of these documents or are undocumented we will walk you through the necessary steps to complete the FAFSA and RDS applications without this information. We will also explain to you what this means in regards to financial assistance for college. You will only need to provide the numbers, but if you have to go through the appeal process, they will require an actual photo if available.

  • Parents' birthdates. If you do not have this information because you have no contact with them, we will walk you through this process.

  • Parents/Guardians and your Tax Information and documents from the previous filing year.

  • Records of your untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits, for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student.

  • Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate (but not including the home in which you live); and business and farm assets for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student

If you are required to go through the appeal process for the FAFSA or the RDS, you may need the following documentation, in addition to the documents listed above;

  • Custody or court documents if you only have one parent, are in DSS custody, live with another family member than your biological parents, etc.

  • If you are a McKinney Vento or homeless student we will help you navigate the FAFSA and the RDS applications as you will not be able to provide the necessary documentation above.