In 2013 the North Carolina General Assembly (SB 402) instructed the educational entities in North Carolina to work collaboratively to create a centralized process for determining residency for the purpose of tuition and administration of state financial aid. These entities included the University of North Carolina General Administration (UNCGA), the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU), and the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA).
As a result of the legislative directive, College Foundation, Inc. (CFI) was selected to develop and administer the statewide Residency Determination Service.
Southwestern Community College implemented the Residency Determination Service (RDS) on October 2, 2017. All individuals applying to Southwestern Community College after October 2, 2017 will be required to complete the online residency determination as part of the admissions process. It is recommended that applicants complete the residency determination well in advance of the semester they wish to start. Upon completion of the residency determination, students will be issued a Residency Certification Number (RCN) which will be utilized at all colleges in NC.
Southwestern Community College will continue to work with students who have business sponsorships, are using military benefits or other exceptions allowed by the state. All other residency determinations will be made by CFI and not Southwestern Community College.
The Residency Determination Service will provide separate processes to reach a residency classification. Most students will only be required to complete the Initial Consideration process. The Reconsideration and Appeal processes are for those students who experience a change in circumstances (Reconsideration) or who have not had a change in status and believe their residency classification is incorrect (appeal).
All students, parents, faculty, staff, and constituents of the North Carolina Community College System should refer to the Residency website at www.ncresidency.org for more current details regarding the North Carolina Residency Determination Service, processes and required residency guidelines.