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Under state law, North Carolina residents are eligible for a lower tuition rate to state universities, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (the University).

In order to qualify as a resident for tuition purposes, a person must have established legal residence (or domicile) in North Carolina and maintained that legal residence for at least twelve (12) months prior to his or her classification as a resident for tuition purposes. Each student is classified as an in-state or out-of-state resident upon admission.

If you believe that you qualify as a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes, you may apply for in-state resident status by following the instructions provided by your admissions office. Continuing students who believe they may now qualify as a resident for tuition purposes may apply through the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS).

Residency Information for Students

Students who are claiming North Carolina residency for tuition purposes, are required to submit a residency application with the North Carolina Residency Determination Services (RDS) at www.ncresidency.org.

After you have received your Residency Certification Number (RCN), you must provide UNC Chapel Hill with your RCN.

If you are a new or incoming student, provide your RCN in your admission application portal.

Currently enrolled students that have not previously submitted your RCN or it is blank you can do so by following these steps:

  • Log into ConnectCarolina at www.connectcarolina.unc.edu.
  • Click the Student Center tile.
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the page and on the right side you will see a box labeled NC Residency Status. Click the Reconsideration or Appeal link.
  • Enter your Residency Certification Number (RCN) in the blank box and click the Submit and Return button to process the request.

Reconsiderations/Appeals

Currently enrolled students who have completed the Reconsideration or Appeal process on the RDS website and have an NC Resident status can update their status at UNC Chapel Hill by following these steps:

  • Log into ConnectCarolina at www.connectcarolina.unc.edu.
  • Click the Student Center tile.
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the page and on the right side you will see a box labeled NC Residency Status. Click the Reconsideration or Appeal link.
  • Verify that your RCN is correct in the box. Click the box “I have an updated RDS residency determination” and click the Submit and Return button to process the request.

The updating process can take a few days and if your information has not been updated in NC Residency Status box in ConnectCarolina, please email residency@unc.edu

Residence Application Deadlines

Please take note of the Residence Application Deadlines. Residency applications submitted through RDS after the deadlines listed below will not be eligible for updates for the term.

Residency Application Forms

Important:  Click to view a list of application forms to include with residency applications.

  • You must submit supporting documentation with your application. Please include any and all documentation that may illustrate how you have established residency in North Carolina.

The North Carolina State Residence Classification Manual provides an illustrative list of the kinds of information and conduct that may be considered as evidence.