Residency Status

Residency status of all successful applicants shall be determined for the purpose of tuition. Applicants are responsible for submission of necessary residence forms and supporting documentation.

Under North Carolina Law, a person may qualify as a resident for tuition purposes in North Carolina; thereby being eligible for a tuition rate lower than that for nonresidents. Copies of the applicable law are available for inspection in the office of the Academic and Career Counselor and may be examined upon request.

In essence, the controlling North Carolina statutes (G.S. 116-143.1) require that “To qualify as a resident for tuition purposes, a person must have established legal residence 9domicile) in North Carolina and maintained that legal residence for at least 12 months immediately prior to his/her classification as a resident.” G.S. 116-143.1 also sets forth statutory definitions, rules, and special provisions for determining resident status for tuition purposes. Under administrative policy, an alien admitted to the United States for permanent residence or possessing a permanent resident status is subject to the same consideration as a citizen. (A citizen holding a student visa cannot be classified as a resident for tuition purposes). To be eligible for classification as a resident for tuition purposes, a person must establish that his/her presence in the state currently is, and during the requisite 12-month qualifying period was, for purposes of maintaining a bona fide domicile rather than a mere temporary residence for purposes of enrollment in an institution of higher education.

Regulations concerning classification for tuition purposes are set forth in A Manual to Assist the Public Higher Education Institutions of North Carolina in the Matter of Student Residence Classification for Tuition Purposes. The Academic and Career Counselor has a copy of this manual available for review.

Determination of Residency

  1. Upon applying for admission to the college, each prospective student is classified as a resident or nonresident of North Carolina for tuition purposes, according to the student’s declaration at the time of application. In addition, each time a student registers for classes, he or she is required to again affirm residency status.
  2. In the case of an individual who is originally classified as a nonresident and later requests reclassification to resident status, the individual will be asked to complete a North Carolina Residence and Tuition Status Application form and provide supporting documentation. The Academic and Career Counselor will review the application, make a determination as to the individual’s residency/non-residency status, and then will advise the individual in writing of the decision.

Appeal Procedure

In the event an individual disagrees with the Academic and Career Counselor’s ruling on residency status, the ruling may be appealed to the College Residency Committee, which has been established by the college. The appeal must be made in writing within ten class days to the Vice President of Student Services.

Waiver of Non-Resident Tuition Rates

When a North Carolina employer (other than armed services) pays tuition for an employee to attend a community college and when the employer works at a North Carolina business location, the employer shall be charged the in-state tuition rate.   Applicants are responsible for submission of necessary residence forms and supporting documentation from employers as required by North Carolina General Statutes.

Download the Request For Waiver of Non-Resident Tuition Rates form and submit the necessary documentation to the Academic & Career Counselor prior to the first day of classes for the intended semester.

Request For Waiver of Non-Resident Tuition Rates in PDF form
Request For Waiver of Non-Resident Tuition Rates in DOC form

Military Tuition Benefit

Under North Carolina General Statues Section 116-143.3, certain members of the armed services and their dependent relative (s) may be eligible to be charged less than the out-of-state tuition rate even if they do not qualify as residents for tuition purposes under G.S. 116-143.3. The member of the armed services must be on active duty and stationed in NC on permanent change of station orders. In order for a dependent relative of the service member to be considered for this benefit, the dependent relative must live with, and claim the benefit through, the service member. To qualify for this benefit, the dependent must submit the military tuition benefit application and all required affidavits to the Academic & Career Counselor prior to the first day of classes of the first term of enrollment. Please submit documentation to the Education & Career Development office at the college.

This page was last modified on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 09:37 AM