North Carolina state flag

Residency

Residency Law

In 2013, Session Law 2013-360 directed the University of North Carolina (UNCGA), the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA), and the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) to create a centralized, uniform process for determining residency for tuition purposes and for administration of state financial aid. Following passage of the law, these partners created a structure to design and develop the Residency Determination Service (RDS), both to satisfy the mandate and to provide accurate, consistent, timely, and cost effective residency determination in support of the admissions application process for North Carolina colleges and universities. RDS also supports establishing residency eligibility for NC state grant consideration.

Residency Determination Service

If you believe that you qualify as a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes, you may apply for in-state resident status using the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS). Before applying for in-state resident status, we strongly recommend that you also carefully review the Residency Guidelines.

Once you have received determination, RDS will provide you with a Residency Certification Number (RCN) and a summary of the information you entered. Your RCN will be required to complete your SCC Admissions Application.


Sampson Community College Exceptions

The General Assembly has enacted laws that grant resident status for tuition purposes to certain categories of students attending community college programs. These special tuition rules do not apply to students attending constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina. Exceptions at Sampson Community College include:

If you believe that you qualify for an exception, please contact the Office of Admissions located in Student Services at 910.900.4319 or admissions@sampsoncc.edu.


Got Residency Questions?

RDS Call Center
(844) 319-3640
(910) 835-2427

PO Box 41940
Raleigh, NC 28629-1940