Residence Status for Tuition Purposes
You must have been domiciled in North Carolina for a minimum of twelve consecutive months before the first day of classes in order to be eligible for consideration as a resident for tuition purposes. To prove that you are domiciled in North Carolina, you must show that you are physically present in the state with the demonstrated intent to make North Carolina your permanent home of indefinite duration. This in no way implies automatic classification as a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes. You will be classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes until you submit an application for determination of your residency and are subsequently classified as a resident for the term in question. If you have been in North Carolina for less than five years, or have resided out of the state during the past fiv-year period, you must complete the four-page residency application. If you have been in North Carolina for five years, but have been enrolled in an institution of higher education during that time, you must complete the four-page form.
Processing your residency form typically takes a month; decisions will take more than a month near our application deadlines when the volume of applications is greater. If you are classified as a nonresident and you wish to appeal that decision, it will take at least six weeks for an appeal hearing to be scheduled.
If you register for a course prior to a final determination of your residency application or appeal, you will be required to pay the nonresident tuition rate. If the final decision classifies you as a nonresident and you decide to withdraw from school, keep in mind that you will receive a prorated financial credit at the out-of-state rate if withdrawal is done prior to the prorated refund deadline.