Residency Determination Service
What You Need to Know about RDS
Visit the RDS website:
Residency Determination Service Step-by-Step:
Students need to fill out Residency Determination to prove that you are a resident of North Carolina to be eligible for in-state tuition.
North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) High School Students
Seniors applying to In-State NC Colleges and Universities must fill out the RDS form in order to be eligible for In-State Tuition. Here are Important Things to remember and steps on how to complete the form:
A. Students complete RDS FIRST:
BEFORE College Admission Applications
INDEPENDENT if 24 or older (OR student MUST PROVE no financial dependence on parents)
WITH parents if under 24 (RDS MUST have parent(s)’ information)
FAFSA at the same time --- much of the information is the same
B. Students GO TO: RDS at www.ncresidency.org
STEP 1) Login to RDS using your CFNC User Name and Password (RESET, if you can’t remember)
STEP 2) Update student Profile (BE ACCURATE – SSN and Date of Birth are critical)
STEP 3) Do RDS Online Interview (student information and/or parent(s)’ information
· social security numbers (or other identifiable number)
· tax return information
· vehicle registration
· driver’s license
· voter registration
· other information about residency in North Carolina
STEP 4) Upload documents that RDS requires (RDS tells you if you need documents)
C. Students MUST REMEMBER:
BE ACCURATE mistakes cause BIG problems in RDS and at the college(s)
FINISH finish the RDS Interview OR request is cancelled and student starts over
DON’T GUESS RDS checks answers with other NC State Agencies
Guess/make-up answers = non-resident status
SUBMIT DOCS Student has 25 days. Student is NOT done until RDS has required documents
D. RDS Determination Screen – when students finish, they see:
RCN Student’s Residency Certification Number (unique identifier that never changes)
CLASSIFICATION Student’s is “Resident or Non-resident” AND “In-State or Out-of-state Tuition”
DOCUMENTS Most students will not need documents
RDS tells student if RDS needs documents and which ones
Student UPLOADS or sends to RDS
Student has 25 days. Student is NOT done until RDS has required documents
E. Student DOES NOT AGREE with RDS determination? Student can:
Log in to RDS to review status, residency classification, and check for required documents
Correct or enter additional information in a RECONSIDERATION
Have 10 days to request an APPEAL (provide special information to prove NC residency)
Call RDS toll-free: 844-319-3640
F. Student then does COLLEGE ADMISSION APPLICATION(S):
Student goes to CFNC.org APP HUB, Common App or college website for application
Student RCN prefills on CFNC applications
Student enters RCN when asked on other applications