NC Residency

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NC RESIDENT STATUS FOR TUITION PURPOSES FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS.

The following information is for graduate students who are not residents of North Carolina and who wish to establish legal residency for tuition purposes.

Decisions on NC Residency for tuition purposes are based upon NC General Statute 116-143.1 and on A Manual to Assist the Public Higher Education Institutions of North Carolina in the Matter of Student Residence Classification for Tuition Purposes prepared by the General Administration of the University of North Carolina, a copy which is available for inspection in the Graduate Admissions Office.

Two inquiries are made of students enrolled in North Carolina universities and colleges who desire to be classified as in-state students for tuition purposes; first, students must demonstrate that they have in fact lived in North Carolina for a minimum period of twelve months immediately prior to enrollment or re-enrollment; and second, students must be able to demonstrate that their presence in the state constituted legal residence.

Under North Carolina law, legal residence means more than simply living in the state. More specifically, it means maintaining a domicile (permanent home of indefinite duration) as opposed to a temporary residence incident to enrollment in a university, college or technical institute of the state. The individual seeking to become a North Carolina resident must demonstrate that he/she is financially independent of parent(s) or guardian if the parent(s) or guardian are non-residents of North Carolina, and must demonstrate a visible means of support substantiating the claim of financial independence. If the individual has not been entirely self-supporting during the last 24 months, a completed affidavit may be required from the parent(s) to indicate the amount of support provided.

Further and equally important, once the individual has clearly established the intent and financial independence, he/she must maintain North Carolina residence for 12 months immediately prior to the semester in which the in-state status can be made effective.

In order to be considered for a reclassification as a resident of NC for tuition purposes at the end of a minimum 12-month period, a person must do the following things (Completion of these acts begins the 12-month waiting period.):

  1. Maintain and reside (physically live) in a domicile or permanent home of indefinite duration for at least 12 months immediately prior to the semester in which the in-state status can be made effective;
  2. Perform a preponderance of residentiary acts, such as get a driver's license, register a motor vehicle and register to vote at least 12 months immediately prior to the semester in which the in-state status can be made effective and file an NC income tax return at the appropriate time (See a complete list of residentiary acts below);
  3. Clearly demonstrate a visible means of support substantiating a claim of financial independence as evidenced by cumulative year-to-date wage earning statements and or loan paperwork. If the individual has not been entirely self-supporting during the last 24 months, a completed affidavit may be required from the parent(s) or legal guardian;

In order to determine whether a given student has established a legal residence in North Carolina, school officials must be able to conclude from information supplied by the student that the conduct of the student, taken as a whole, demonstrates his/her intent to make North Carolina a permanent dwelling place. It is the responsibility of the student to provide all information requested.

To start the process, before applying for in-state residency, it is important to change all of the following items to NC as soon as possible. These changes (called residentiary acts) must all be completed by the end of the first ten days of classes if a person is to be considered for residency for the following year, for example. Completion of these acts begins the 12-month waiting period. If the student meets the 12-month requirement in the middle of the fall semester, the student will be eligible for in-state tuition in the following spring semester, but not the current fall semester.

RESIDENTIARY ACTS - Items that should be changed to NC
(Including in formation on how to change them)

1. Driver's License OR NC Identification Card (if student does not drive).
Information:
NC Department of Motor Vehicles “(DMV) Driver License Information: 919-715-7000
Locations and phone numbers of local DMV Offices:

  • 9701 Capitol Blvd. Suite 110, Wake Forest, NC 919-570-1016
    3231 Avent Ferry Rd, Raleigh, NC 919-816-9128
    211 N Academy St, Cary, NC 919-468-0319
    222 Forest Hills Dr, Garner, NC 919-662-4366
    2851 Wendell Blvd., Wendell NC 919-365-9516

2. NC Motor Vehicle Registration and Vehicle Tag Offices
Customer Service - 919-715-7000, 1100 New Bern Avenue (DMV Main Office)
Other Locations:

  • 1251 Buck Jones Rd, Cary, NC South Hills Shopping Center 919-469-1444
    3070 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh Holly Hills Shopping Center 919-872-2815
    131 S. Fuquay Ave, Fuquay-Varina 919-552-9043

* Contact insurance company and obtain insurance forms
* Take proof of insurance from a company authorized to do business in NC and policy number, out-of-state title and a valid registration card from the state of prior registration to closest DMV office to have car registered and title transferred.
* Obtain permanent license plate and validation stickers.
* Costs - First-time Registration - Minimum $40.00 and a maximum of $150.00. This covers plates, $35.00 title fee, and highway use tax and notary fee. Annual Renewal Fee - $25.00.
* Get car inspected within 10 days of registration at an authorized inspection station, then reinspected annually.

3. Voter Registration
Register immediately and vote when possible
Locations:

  • Wake County Board of Elections, 339 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh (919-856-6240),
  • any branch of the Wake County Public Library
  • any branch of the Driver's License Office
  • public assistance agencies
  • agencies serving persons with disabilities and public high schools

You will need: To be at least 18 years old, to have been a permanent legal resident at least 30 days and to have an identification with full legal name, such as birth certificate, Social Security card, passport or driver's license.

4. Personal Property Taxation

a. Motor Vehicle Taxes
PHONE - 919-856-5400
LOCATION - Wake County Courthouse, 300 South Salisbury Street

  • List personal vehicles for tax purposes; listing occurs when vehicle is registered. There is no state tax imposed on personal property (such as furniture, clothing, etc).
  • Will be billed approximately 3 months after motor vehicle has been registered; pay by mail. For those living within the Raleigh city limits, this tax includes a $10.00 annual City of Raleigh auto fee/tax. Failure to pay motor vehicle property taxes gives a county the authority to "block" registration records, and, consequently, the registration cannot be renewed for that vehicle.
  • Cost will vary according to value of car.

b. State Income Tax
Assistance Information - 919-733-3991
Location - Revenue Building, 501 North Wilmington Street

  • File both NC state and federal income tax returns by April 15 of each year. Will receive W-2 Residency Applications in late January or early February.
  • Taxes are withheld from monthly assistantship paychecks, but in many cases, with proper filing, a refund of all or most of this money is possible.
  • Cost or refund - varies

c. Home Property Taxes

d. Banking, Clubs, Memberships, etc.

  • Convert to an NC branch or affiliation.

 

AFTER completing the changeover to North Caroline of the above items:

Download the appropriate Residency Application below and forward it with all required copies of residentiary acts to the Graduate School, Box 7102, Raleigh NC. If you have any questions you may email the NC Residency Officer at tara_cowan@ncsu.edu. In addition to the fully completed Residency Application, copies (no originals please) of the following documents are required to be attached:

  1. NC driver's license;
  2. NC vehicle registration;
  3. NC voter registration;
  4. NC income tax returns;
  5. Year-to-date cumulative wage earning statements from all jobs held for the current year,
  6. Listing of personal property taxes; (car taxes and house property taxes)
  7. Document with date of home or land purchase.
  8. Student loan agreements, financial aid Residency Applications and so forth, if applicable;
  9. Marriage certificate, if residency is being based upon the spouse's residentiary acts, AND copies of the spouse's residentiary acts;
  10. If the applicant is not a US citizen, a Residence Supplemental Status Residency Application accompanied by copies, both front and back, of approval for permanent residence status showing the date of adjudication by the Immigration and Naturalization Service or other documentation provided by INS.
  11. If applicant has not been 100% self-supporting during the last 24 months, a completed affidavit is required.

The online Residency Application must be filled out in its entirety upon submission or it will be returned for completion. It should be submitted no earlier than 75 days prior to the semester or summer session for which you wish to be considered. Applications sent earlier than 75 days prior will be returned.

Residency Applications will be accepted for the below listed semesters or summer session beginning with the stated date:

  • For Spring Semester - October 1st
  • For First Summer Session – March 1st
  • For Second Summer Session – May 1st
  • For Fall Semester – June 1st

THE LAST DAY OF ANY SEMESTER OR TERM THAT THE COMPLETE RESIDENCY APPLICATON WILL BE RECEIVED IS THE LAST DAY OF EXAMS FOR THAT SEMESTER OR TERM. THERE WILL BE NO RETROACTIVE DECISIONS FOR PRIOR TERMS.

A decision on residency status will be mailed in approximately two weeks from the date of the receipt of a complete application. If denied NC residency for tuition purposes, an appeal of the decision is possible. A student appealing a residency status decision will be notified by letter from the Appeals Committee approximately 2 weeks prior to the scheduled appeal hearing. A five-member committee meets once or twice a month to hear appeals. The applicant can, and should, attend the hearing to clarify points and to present additional arguments in his/her favor. Further appeals are possible, if necessary.

Important Notes:

  1. Only students accepted to NCSU Graduate School may apply for Residency for Tuition Purposes. Once you are fully accepted and IF your acceptance letter states that you are considered an out-of-state resident, and after you review these requirements and think that you qualify, then you may apply by completing the Residency Application for review.
  2. The Residency Application must be filled out in its entirety and must be accompanied by copies of driver's license, vehicle registration, voter registration, N.C. income tax returns, year-to-date cumulative wage earning statements, student loan forms, motor vehicle taxes, home property taxes, and, if applicable, marriage certificate, Residence Status Supplemental Form and Parent’s affidavit. Students are particularly encouraged to keep copies of their N.C. income tax returns for their records as well as supporting documents to accompany the Residency Application. Submit a photocopy of residentiary acts only—no originals.
  3. Students must submit the original Residency Application for residency; photocopies and faxes are not acceptable. The applicant is, however, encouraged to print and keep a copy of the completed Residency Application for personal records. Once the Residency Application is submitted, we are not able to provide copies of any part of the Residency Application.
  4. Omission of any of the requested documentation and/or failure to fill out the Residency Application in its entirety will necessitate the return of the Residency Application to the student for additional information, further delaying a decision. We are not able to process incomplete Residency Applications.
  5. A Residency Application is strengthened by the inclusion of copies of the OLDEST residentiary acts, i.e., original driver's license, original vehicle registration, oldest NC income tax return and so forth.
  6. A student who has misplaced or lost his/her driver's license may obtain a Motor Vehicle Record Check from the Department of Motor Vehicles on New Bern Avenue in Raleigh for a $5.00 charge. This report details a person's complete NC driving history, including the date on which the NC driver's license was originally obtained.
  7. International students in possession of a B, F, H (in most cases), J, L and M visa, among others, are often not eligible for N.C. residency for tuition purposes.
  8. Resident aliens who are in possession of Form I-151 or Form I-551 (Alien Registration Receipt Card or "green card") and who are applying for in-state residency for tuition purposes must also complete the Residence Status Supplemental Residency Application and include a copy of the front and back of the Alien Registration Receipt Card.
  9. The applicant will be notified by letter of any and all actions taken regarding the Residency Application. If there are any questions, the applicant will be contacted before any decision is made and will be notified of the decision by letter within approximately two weeks. Please do not call. We do not give status of Residency Applications via email or phone.

Downloadable Forms

PC Users:
1. Right click the link.
2. Select "Save Target As" or "Save Link As"

Mac Users:
1. Control click the link.
2. Select "Download link to Disk" or "Save Link As"
NC Residence and Tuition Status Application - Long Form

The Long Form is for students already enrolled in graduate school who wish to claim North Carolina residency for tuition purposes.

(You must print the form, fill it in, sign it, and send it to the graduate school.)
Residence Status Supplemental Form

The Supplemental Form is for non-US citizen's and must be submitted with the Long Form.

(You may type your information into the form, however you will not be able to save the form. You must print the form, sign it, and send it to the graduate school.)
NC Teachers' Cert. & Professional Dev. App. NC Teachers' Certification and Professional Development Application
Residence Status - Armed Services Form The Armed Services Form is for members of the Armed Service or Dependent Relatives thereof.
Parent Affadavit The Parent Affidavit must be completed for any student that has received finical support in the last 24 months and/or for any student 25 and under. The parents must complete the form, have it notarized and attach it to the Long Form.

Revised 8/06