Residency Guide – Special Rules
The Statutory Grace Period
The grace period extends for 12 months from the date of the change in legal residence, plus any portion of a semester or academic term remaining at the time the change in legal residence occurred. No change in applicable tuition rates resulting from the expiration of the basic 12-month grace period will be effective during a semester, quarter, or other academic term in which the student is enrolled; the change in tuition rates are effective at the beginning of the following semester, quarter, or other academic term.
Once perfected, the grace period is applicable for the entire period at any institution of higher education in the State.
Re-Establishing an Abandoned Domicile within Twelve Months
To qualify for the grace period if the student is no longer enrolled, the student must satisfy the following conditions:
- The student must have been properly classified as a resident for tuition purposes at the time the student ceased to be enrolled at or graduated from an institution of higher education in this state; and
- If the student subsequently abandons his or her domicile in North Carolina and then reestablishes domicile in this state within 12 months of abandonment, the student may reenroll at an institution of higher education in this state as a resident for tuition purposes without having to satisfy the 12-month durational requirement so long as the student continuously maintains his or her reestablished domicile in North Carolina at least through beginning of the academic term for which in-state tuition status is sought.
It is important to note that a student may benefit from this particular grace period only once during his or her life. There is no such limitation on the grace period available to students who experience a change in residence status while still enrolled at an institution of high education in this state.
Non-U.S. Citizens
If you are not a U.S. citizen, please complete a Residence Status Supplemental Form for Non-U.S. Citizens and submit it along with your application.
UNC System Employees and Their Families
Permanent, full-time employees of The University of North Carolina System (including UNC Health Care) and their spouses or dependent children may qualify for in-state tuition even if they have not maintained a North Carolina domicile for the required 12-consecutive months. If you believe you qualify for this benefit, please complete a Residence Status Supplemental Form for UNC System Employees and Their Families and submit it along with your application.
The Marital Provision
Marital status does not affect the residency analysis and, therefore, you are not required to divulge your status or provide information about your spouse. There is, however, a marital provision that allows an applicant who marries a North Carolina legal resident to count the length of time the resident spouse was domiciled in North Carolina for purposes of satisfying the 12-month durational requirement. If you believe this provision applies to you, please complete a Residence Status Supplemental Form for the Marital Provision and submit it along with your application.
If you are applying for an applicable spousal benefit, please submit your residency application, spousal supplemental form, and supporting evidence (including spousal evidence and certificate of marriage) to:
UNC-CH Residence Appeals Board
Office of the University Registrar
CB# 2100
Suite 3105, SASB-N
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-2100
The Military Benefit
Under a special provision of North Carolina and federal law requires that non-resident active duty military personnel and their eligible family members be charged in-state tuition. If you are a member of the armed services who is on active duty, or the spouse, dependent child or dependent relative of a member of the armed services who is on active duty, you may qualify for the in-state tuition rate. Active duty members of the armed services include those serving in the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy; the N.C. National Guard; and any Reserve Units of these military units. Military reservists (other than those of the N.C. National Guard) must be on active duty to qualify for the in-state tuition benefit. If you believe this provision applies to you, please complete the Residence Status Supplemental Form for Members of the Armed Services and Their Dependent Relatives. If additional information is needed, your admissions office may contact you.
If you are a member of the North Carolina National Guard, you may also qualify for in-state tuition, regardless of whether you are on active or reserve status. If you believe that you may qualify, please complete a Residence Status Supplemental Form for Members of the North Carolina National Guard. If additional information is needed, your admissions office may contact you.
Spouses and Children of Deceased or Disabled Law Enforcement or Emergency Workers
If you are a law enforcement or emergency worker who was disabled in the line of duty, or if you are the spouse or child of a law enforcement or emergency worker who was disabled or killed in the line of duty, you may qualify for a tuition waiver. If you believe that this provision applies to you, please complete a Residence Status Supplemental Form for Spouses and Children of Deceased or Disabled Law Enforcement or Emergency Workers. If additional information is needed, your admissions office may contact you.