Crosby Scholars: CFNC & RDS Overview
Takeila Barnes Hall
CFNC Associate Outreach Director
Check Out The CFNC.org Website
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How to get started?
Loging in and Navigating
What type of information will I need?
Social Security Number -- SSN (or other identity number), NC tax filing, vehicle registration, driver’s license, voter registration, and other information about residency in North Carolina
A) for yourself
B) Younger than 24: for your parent/legal guardian (NC law requires RDS to ask for parent information)
C) On your own & <24:
PROVE you are financially independent from your parent/legal guardian:
• W2s, 1099s or paystubs to prove income for the last 18 months
• Proof of address and living continuously in NC the last 12 months
• Other information about residency in North Carolina
When will I know my determination?
For initial consideration requests, RDS communicates your residency status immediately following your completion of the RDS online interview. This determination is contingent upon you submitting any required documentation and passing validation of the information you provide. If you do not submit required documentation before the 25-day deadline, your residency status changes from resident to non-resident.
RDS validates information you provide with federal and state agencies. Should the information you provide not validate, your residency status changes from resident to non-resident.
In addition to your residency determination status, RDS provides you a Residency Certification Number (RCN) and a summary of the information you enter.
For reconsideration and appeal requests, RDS staff must review the request in full before providing a residency status. RDS can review your request only after you provide all your required documents. If your required documents are not submitted before the 25-day deadline, your request is cancelled and your residency status remains non-resident.
What is a Residency Determination Number?
The Residency Certification Number ("RCN") is a unique identifier that RDS assigns to you when you begin the RDS online interview. The RCN is unique to you. It provides confirmation that you have completed the RDS residency determination process. When you apply for admission at any NC college, the college may ask for your RCN in order to request data from RDS concerning your residency status.
Your RCN is always available to you by logging in to your RDS account. In addition, you may call toll-free 844-319-3640 or locally 919-835-2290 for assistance in accessing your account.
Do I need to complete RDS every year?
In most cases, no, an annual review is not necessary. If you are admitted as a resident and charged in-state tuition by any North Carolina college, it is likely that you will maintain that tuition status unless there is change of circumstances which may be reason for an updated review. When there is a change of circumstance, for example, if your parents move to another state, students in this situation may qualify for a "grace period" for tuition during which the in-state rate will still be applicable even though the student is no longer a legal resident of North Carolina. The grace period can apply under certain circumstances both to currently enrolled students as well as to students who are no longer enrolled or who have graduated. The grace period does not apply to state funded financial aid. Grace periods are handled at the campus level.
The RDS Reconsideration process is for a student who:
What does reconsideration mean?
•needs to correct certain errors in the information submitted during the initial consideration request;
•has a change in personal circumstances since the original determination (e.g., got married, joined the military, etc.)
•failed to submit required documentation by the 25-day deadline for an initial consideration
•has a determination which is about to expire and wants to transfer schools or has not been continuously enrolled
•is requested by their campus to complete a reconsideration
The RDS Reconsideration allows you to change information about yourself or your circumstances; however, you are limited to three Reconsideration requests every 90 days. Should RDS still determine that you are a non-resident, and you disagree, you have the option to Appeal. Go to the Residency Guideline section of the website to learn more about Reconsideration.
You may request an Appeal if you believe that the RDS process has failed to accurately consider important information regarding your residency claim.
There are two types of appeal:
What is an appeal?
RDS Appeal - the RDS Appeal is for students who believe their active residency determination is incorrect - either from an initial consideration or a reconsideration. Students have the ability to request the RDS Appeal online, submit additional information and documentation to support their claim, and meet face-to-face (or via technology) to review their appeal.
SEAA Appeal - the SEAA Appeal is the final administrative step in the residency process. The appeal is conducted by a statewide committee comprised of representatives from the North Carolina Community College System, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, State Education Assistance Authority, and The University of North Carolina System. No additional documentation or information is permitted by RDS or the student in this appeal.
Both the RDS Appeal and SEAA Appeal require submitting a notification to appeal within 10 calendar days of the determination the student is appealing. Requests for appeal after 10 calendar days are not permitted.
• USE CFNC LOGIN RDS uses your CFNC login. Don’t have one? Create a new RDS account and login.
• BE ACCURATE take your time.
Key things to remember!
• FINISH RDS Online Interview cancelled, if NOT complete in 25 days.
• DON’T GUESS Guessing = NON-resident; RDS checks your answers with NC State & Federal Agencies
• SUBMIT DOCS RDS shows if you need documents and which ones