What is the RDS?

The RDS is the Residency Determination Service. It determines NC residency for college admissions. Students who qualify as North Carolina residents under state law are eligible for lower tuition. In order to qualify as a resident for tuition purposes, a person must have established legal residence (or domicile) in North Carolina and maintained that legal residence for at least twelve (12) months prior to his or her classification as a resident for tuition purposes. Each student is classified as an in-state or out-of-state resident upon admission.

If you believe that you qualify as a North Carolina resident under state law, you will need to submit a residency application with the North Carolina Residency Determination Services (RDS), which is a government agency that serves the entire state.

Once you’ve submitted your residency application, RDS will provide you with a Residency Certification Number (RCN), which you should enter in your application for admission.