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NC In-State Tuition for Non-Citizens

US citizens and some non-citizens qualify for North Carolina in-state tuition. All students applying for in-state tuition must do so via North Carolina Residency Determination. Use the info below to determine if you qualify for in-state tuition.

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The following types of documentation enable a non-U.S. citizen who is legally present in this state to have the capacity to establish domicile:

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  1. Evidence of either of the following:

    • A valid A-1, A-2, E-1, E-2, E-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, H-1B, H-1C, H-4, I, K-1,

      K-2, K-3, K-4, L-1A, L-1B,L-2, N, O-1, O-3, P-1, P-2, P-3, P-4, R-1, R-2, T-1, T- 2, T-3, T-4, T-5, U-1, U-2, U-3, U-4, U-5, V-1, V-2, V-3, NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6 visa status (eligibility for in-state tuition under these visa statuses lasts only so long as the time frame of the authorized stay under the applicable visa status); OR

    • A pending Application to Adjust Status (Form I-485) and an approved Immigrant Petition (Forms I-130, I-360, or I-140).

  2. One of the following:

    • A Permanent Resident Card I-551; OR

    • A USCIS-issued notice of approval of Application to Adjust

      Status (I-485); OR

    • A current Conditional Permanent Resident Card (issued for a two

      year period).

  3. Refugee or asylum status with approval documentation or an Employment

    Authorization Document (EAD card) with the following category codes:

    Refugee status A-03, Paroled refugee status A-04, Asylee status A-05.

  4. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) with approval documentation or an

    Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) with the category code A- 12 or C-19.

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Note: Undocumented and DACA students are generally not eligible for in-state tuition.

For DACA and Undocumented Students and Parents

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DACA and Undocumented Students

  • DACA and Undocumented students are, by law, not North Carolina residents for tuition purposes

  • If applying to a NC Community College, complete an RDS form but do not claim to be a North Carolina Resident

  • If applying to a NC Public College, do not complete an RDS form

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Student Citizens with Undocumented Parents

  • Student citizens can be considered North Carolina residents, regardless of parents' immigration status

  • Since NC Residency for dependent students is based on parents' information, student citizens with undocumented parents will usually receive a non-resident determination at first. These students have to use the appeals process to claim residency

  • During the appeals process, the Residency Determination Service will ask for parents' proof of residency, not their citizenship status

  • The following documentation can be used during the appeals process:

    • Tax ID​​

    • Student high school transcripts and Student ID number

    • Lease on household, utility bills

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