North Carolina Residency for Tuition Purposes

The NC Residency Determination Service determines residency for tuition purposes for all UNC System universities.

The specific requirements for establishing residency for tuition purposes and for eligibility for State financial aid are prescribed by state law. A North Carolina resident for tuition purposes (and for State financial aid consideration) is a person, or a dependent person (dependent according to IRS tax code – not the FAFSA definition of dependency), whose parent or legal guardian has established and maintained legal residence in North Carolina for at least 12 months.

Residence in North Carolina must be legitimate and be a permanent situation rather than just for the purpose of maintaining a residence prior to enrollment at an institution of higher education.

Under North Carolina law, to qualify for in-state residency, you must show that you:

Have established your legal residence (domicile) in North Carolina, and
Have maintained that domicile for at least twelve (12) consecutive months before the beginning of the term, and
Have a residentiary presence in the state, and
Intend to make North Carolina your permanent home indefinitely (rather than being in North Carolina solely to attend college)

Persons not meeting the 12-month legal residence requirement may be classified as North Carolina residents for tuition purposes only if they fall within one of the limited “exception” categories authorized by the North Carolina Legislature. All others are ineligible for classification as a North Carolina “resident for tuition purposes” and will be charged out-of-state tuition and not be given consideration for State financial aid. To learn more about residency and complete a determination go to www.NCresidency.org. You may also request reconsideration or appeal your residency decision by logging in to your account on www.NCresidency.org.

Reconsideration & Appeal Residency Decision

Learn more about the purpose and background of NC Residency.

Additional Information
For additional information contact the offices of admissions, the registrar or student financial aid at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts or refer to North Carolina General Statute 116.143.1.