Residency Determination

Residence Status for Tuition Purposes (N.C. General Statute 116-143.1) A North Carolina “resident for tuition purposes” is a person, or a dependent person (dependent according to IRS tax code), whose parent or legal guardian has established and maintained legal residence in North Carolina for at least 12 months before the beginning of the first day of classes for the term registered for, and that a domicile has been maintained for at least 12 continuous months. Residence in North Carolina must be legitimate and be a permanent situation rather than just for the purpose of maintaining a residence prior to enrollment at an institution of higher education.

Other people not meeting the 12-month legal residence requirement may be classified as North Carolina residents for tuition purposes only if they fall within one of the limited categories authorized by the North Carolina Legislature. All other people are ineligible for classification as a North Carolina “Resident for tuition purposes” and will be charged non-resident tuition.

To qualify as a North Carolina resident for in-state tuition purposes, you must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien or a legal alien granted indefinite stay by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Living in or attending school in North Carolina will not establish legal residence.

Students who depend on out-of-state parents for support are presumed to be legal residents of the same state as their parents. Information relating to North Carolina residence for in-state tuition purposes shall be required from all applicants claiming to be North Carolina residents (see N.C. Administrative Code 020.0201).