Residency Determination Service

What is RDS?  

Residency Determination Service, or RDS, is a mandatory form needed by all students applying to colleges and universities in North Carolina. This form is used to determine whether you will be considered a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes and to be eligible for NC state Grant consideration at all NC colleges and universities.   It has two parts:  

• RDS Online Interview (for Initial Considerations and Reconsiderations) 

• RDS Appeal Process where RDS specialists work one-on-one with students or parents to provide additional information, documentation, and to ask and answer questions of RDS to reach a residency determination.  

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When should I do RDS?  

RDS should ideally be done before you do your College Admission Applications because… 

• NC Community Colleges – require your RCN* (the number you are assigned after completing the RDS) before you can submit an application 

• University of North Carolina System – campuses ask for your RCN as part of their admission process  

• NC Independent Colleges and Universities – check your residency for NC State Grant eligibility  

Where do I find RDS?  

Go to NCresidency.org or go through cfnc.org

What information will I need for RDS? 

Social Security Number – SSN (or other identity number), NC tax filing, vehicle registration, driver’s license, voter registration, and other information about residency in North Carolina.  ​

• Younger than 24:    for your parent/legal guardian (in most cases) 

• On your own & <24:   PROVE you are financially independent from your parent/legal guardian  

• W2’s, 1099s or paystubs to prove your income for the last 18 months  

• Proof of address in NC and living continuously in NC the last 12 months  

• Other information about residency in North Carolina 

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Important Things to Remember 

• USE CFNC LOGIN            RDS uses your CFNC login. Don’t have one? Create a new RDS account and login.  

• BE ACCURATE                 Mistakes cause BIG problems  

• FINISH                               RDS Online Interview  is CANCELLED if NOT completed in 25 days 

• DON’T GUESS                  Guessing = NON-resident; RDS checks your answers with NC State Agencies 

• SUBMIT DOCS                  RDS shows if you need documents and which ones – not everyone does but your interview is NOT done without                                                       required documents (you have 25 days) 

• YOUR RCN                        NOTE AND KEEP YOUR RCN – Residency Certification Number 

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*** For some students, RDS will require an appeal process. Please see your adviser ASAP for assistance! ***