Residency Determination Services

(RDS)

Residency Determination Service, or RDS, is a mandatory form needed by all students applying to colleges and universities in North Carolina. This form is used to determine whether you will be considered a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes and to be eligible for NC state Grant consideration at all NC colleges and universities. After completing the RDS, you will receive a Residency Confirmation Number (RCN).

You should complete the RDS BEFORE you submit a college application, as you will need to include your RCN.

HOW TO ACCESS RDS

Visit https://ncresidency.cfnc.org and log in with CFNC login information.

MATERIALS NEEDED TO FILL OUT RDS

To complete RDS, please have these materials ready:

  • You and your parent's/guardian's social security numbers.

  • Your parent's or guardian's date of birth.

  • Your parent's/guardian's driver's license number or state ID number.

  • You and your parent's/guardian's USCIS number (green card) , or tax identification number (ITIN) **if applicable**

  • Find out if your parent or guardian filed taxes in the past 2 years in NC.

Special note:

DACA: By North Carolina policy, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients do not qualify for in-state tuition. When asked in RDS Online Interview, do NOT claim residency. You will receive an RCN, be determined a non-resident and can complete college admission applications (using your RCN).

Undocumented Parent(s): Some students may have special circumstances that prevent the RDS system from determining your residency status. If you believe the student should be considered a resident of North Carolina, the student may appeal the RDS determination, and the student will have the opportunity to show RDS additional documents and proof of residency in North Carolina.


See "Recursos en Español" for more information!

HOW TO COMPLETE RDS

1. Visit ncresidency.cfnc.org

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2. Click "Complete Residency Determination" and login

  • Your login information will be the same as your CFNC account

  • Contact Ms. Campbell if you need help recovering your username/password.


3. Complete the College Enrollment section

  • Are you currently enrolled in an NC college/university? NO

  • Do you know when you plan to enroll? YES

  • Planned Year? 2022

  • When do you plan to start classes? Fall (Aug-Dec).

  • Select "NO" when asked if applying to NC School of Science and Math

*Most seniors will enroll in Fall 2022 (Aug-Dec). If you are graduating early, please see Ms. Campbell.*

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4. Complete the Housing section, Military involvement, and Student information

  • Make sure you read through all of the situations! If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Campbell.

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5. Complete the Parent/Legal Guardian information

  • If your parent does not have a social security number, click the option stating they do not have an SSN; ITINS can be provided if needed.

  • Stepparents do not count towards residency unless they have legally adopted you. If your parents are divorced, put the parent you live with the most.

  • Please contact Ms. Campbell if you have any special circumstances.

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6. FINISHED!

  • Once you complete your RDS, you will receive a unique residency certification number (RCN). This number will be needed for any in-state college applications.


Some situations will prompt an appeal process. Please contact Ms. Campbell for assistance with this process. You may also read through the RDS guidelines for appeals. https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo/guidelines