North Carolina Residency

Under North Carolina law, a person must qualify as a resident for a tuition rate lower than that for non-residents. North Carolina statute 116-143.1 requires that ''To qualify as a resident for tuition purposes, a person must have established legal residence (domicile) in North Carolina and maintained that legal residence for at least twelve (12) months immediately prior to his or her classification as a resident for tuition purposes.'' Substantial inquiry is made on the application for admission to determine initial classification. 

Reclassification as Residents

Students classified as out-of-state for tuition are responsible for applying in the Division for Student Services for reclassification to in-state status at the conclusion of the 12-month waiting period. No prior notice will be given. The change in classification, if deemed to be warranted, shall be effective at the beginning of the next academic semester following the date of application for reclassification.

Students who provide false residency information or knowingly withhold residency information shall be deemed to have submitted a fraudulent application. Students making fraudulent application are subject to reclassification and payment of the difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition for the enrolled term(s) intervening between the fraudulent application and its discovery.

Regulations concerning the classification of students by residence are set forth in ''A Manual to Assist the Public Higher Education Institutions of North Carolina in the Matter of Student Residence Classification for Tuition Purposes.'' A copy of the manual is available in Student Services for student inspection.

Additional Guidelines for Submitting Residency Application

The North Carolina Community College System application for classification as a legal resident (domiciliary) of North Carolina for tuition purposes states “you must give the college the evidence it requires to enable it to make that classification.” Documents that can help support your residency status include, but are not limited to, the following:

• North Carolina State Income Tax Return (a major document for residency determination)
• North Carolina vehicle registration
• North Carolina driver’s license
• Marriage certificate (If claiming NC residency from spouse)
• Insurance Forms
• Employment records
• Utility payment receipts
• Bank records

Attach to the completed application copies of documents supporting your residency claim.

North Carolina Residency Application