UNC Charlotte Academic Policy: Residence Status for Tuition Purposes

I. Executive Summary

This policy outlines how students are determined to be in-state (North Carolina) residents or out-of-state residents for the purpose of tuition.

II. Policy Statement

Tuition charges are based upon classification of a student as a resident or a non-resident of North Carolina for tuition purposes. The North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS), the sole authority for residency determinations, shall determine whether a student is a resident or non-resident for tuition purposes.

Residency Application Procedure

A new, incoming, or current student who wishes to request a residency classification will apply using the Residency Determination Service (RDS). RDS is the entity responsible for all new classifications of residency in North Carolina. To begin the process, visit www.NCresidency.org. ALL student inquiries about initial determinations, reconsiderations, or appeals, should be directed to RDS, the sole authority for undergraduate residency determinations. Students may contact RDS at 844-319-3640 or rdsinfo@ncresidency.org.

Appeal Procedure

A new, incoming, or current student who has exhausted the residency application procedure and has been classified as a non-resident for tuition purposes, may request further consideration of that decision to the Residency Determination Service (RDS). RDS is the entity responsible for all new classifications of residency in North Carolina. ALL student inquiries about initial determinations, reconsiderations or appeals, should be directed to RDS, the sole authority for residency determinations. Students may contact RDS at 844-319-3640 or rdsinfo@ncresidency.org.

III. Definitions

  • Tuition – The amount of money that colleges charge for coursework and other instruction. Tuition can vary widely between educational institutions, and does not cover fees, cost of books, and other materials.

IV. Policy Contact(s)

V. History

  • Revised: November 10, 2011 [Removal of NC teacher tuition benefit per repeal by NC General Assembly]
  • Revised: November 7, 2012 [Addition of “any applicable mandatory fees” to Military Personnel section]
  • Revised: March 27, 2015 [Changed “Change of Status” title to “Admitted and Readmitted Students”]
  • Revised: February 20, 2017 [With introduction of the Residency Determination Service (RDS), policy broken out into separate procedures for Undergraduate and Graduate Students]
  • Revised: July 2, 2018 [Graduate Students follow same procedures as Undergraduate Students through RDS]

VI. Related Policies, Procedures and Resources

VII. Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where is this policy referenced?
    The policy is published on the Academic Policies & Procedures webpage of the Provost website and in the Financial Information section of the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.
  • Which students are covered under this policy?
    This policy applies to all students at UNC Charlotte. Undergraduate and Graduate students should visit/contact the Residency Determination Service (RDS), the sole authority for North Carolina residency determinations.