Residency Determination Service (RDS)
What is the RESIDENCY Determination Service?
Just remember that the "R" in RDS stands for RESIDENCY.
With this form, you can help your colleges/community colleges know that you live in NC so that you can get in-state tuition! You must complete the RDS to apply to NC schools.
How to Complete the RDS
Collect necessary documents.
Login through CFNC.org.
Complete each question accurately!
What to do after the RDS.
1. Collect Documents
You will need information from both you and your parent/guardian.
For students who do not have a social security number, you will answer "No" to the first question of the form and will be considered an out-of-state resident. For details, please contact your college adviser.
For students whose parents do not have a social security number, complete the RDS and include your parents' ITIN, which starts with a 9. Complete an appeal and send your transcript/a bill to show that you live in NC (more information in section 4).
If you are unable to obtain a parent/guardian's information, please contact your college adviser for assistance (more information in section 4).
What you need for the FAFSA and RDS_Table_English.pdfEnglish
What you need for the FAFSA and RDS_Table_Spanish.pdfSpanish
2. Login through CFNC.org
CFNC.org is a one-stop-shop for college/community college.
Use your CFNC.org username and password to log into the RDS!
Click the picture to the left to get started!
Hint: You should already have a CFNC username and password. If you forgot, press "Forgot Password" and try a few possible usernames. Email your college adviser if you can't log in. THEN, WRITE YOUR LOGIN DOWN!
3. Complete Each Section Accurately
DO NOT GUESS OR LEAVE OUT IMPORTANT INFORMATION. YOU CANNOT PRESS BACK TO MAKE A CHANGE. Inaccurately entering information will delay your determination and require you to send more documents.
You need to have lived in NC for at least one year to be considered in-state.
Tip #5: Use your personal email address (make one if you don't have one yet)! Your student emails expire after you graduate!
4. What to do After the RDS
After you complete the RDS, you will be either labeled an in-state or out-of-state resident and given a Residency Number. CFNC applications will prepopulate this number for you, but you may have to enter this number into Common App and other applications. You can always log back into RDS to find it.
Did you see "No"s or do you feel that there is a mistake? You then will have:
25 days to submit a Reconsideration: Do so if you made a mistake on the initial RDS form or if your circumstances changed.
10 days to submit an Appeal: Do so if you feel you correctly completed the application but were given an inaccurate residency status.
PLEASE SEE YOUR COLLEGE ADVISER TO GET HELP WITH THIS PROCESS!
Taken care of everything? CONGRATS ON MAKING IT THROUGH THE RDS PROCESS!
