The tuition charge for
persons who qualify as residents for tuition purposes is substantially
less than that for nonresidents. An explanation of the North Carolina
law (General Statute 116-143.1) governing residence classification
for tuition purposes is set forth in Appendix
A. A more complete explanation of the statute and the procedures
under the statute is contained in A Manual to Assist the Public
Higher Education Institutions of North Carolina in the Matter of Student
Residence Classification for Tuition Purposes. The Manual
is the controlling administrative statement of policy on this subject.
Copies of the Manual are available for inspection in the Office
of the Provost, the Library, and the admitting offices.
Initial
Classification
Every applicant for admission is required to state in writing
the length of his or her legal residence in North Carolina. Every
applicant is classified as a resident or nonresident for tuition purposes
prior to actual matriculation, the admitting office making the initial
classification. Those not claiming to be residents for tuition purposes
are, of course, classified as out-of-state students (nonresidents)
for tuition purposes. If insufficient information supports an applicant's
claim to be a resident for tuition purposes, the admitting office
will initially classify that applicant as a nonresident.
Subsequent Classification
A residency classification once assigned (and confirmed
pursuant to any appeal properly taken) may be changed thereafter (with
corresponding change in billing rates) only at intervals corresponding
with the established primary divisions of the academic year.
A student who, due to subsequent events, becomes eligible for a change
in classification, whether from out-of-state to in-state or the reverse,
has the responsibility of applying for a reclassification in the Office
of the Provost.
Appeals
A student may appeal a residence classification assigned
by the admitting office by submitting to the Office of the Provost
a completed "Residence-and-Tuition Status Application."
The completed application must be submitted before the end of the
academic term for which the student wishes to be considered for reclassification.
Application forms may be obtained from the Office of the Provost,
201 Mossman, or from any admitting office.
It is the responsibility of the student to pay tuition at the rate
charged and billed while an appeal is pending. In effect, the student
who is classified as a nonresident at the time of registration pays
the nonresident rate. Conversely, if a student is classified as a
resident at the time of billing, he or she pays the resident rate.
Any necessary adjustments in the rate paid will be made at the conclusion
of the appeal.
Students or prospective students who believe that they are entitled
to be classified as residents for tuition purposes should be aware
that the process of requests and appeals can take a considerable amount
of time and that applications for classification should not be delayed
until registration. Students who wish to receive a timely review of
their residence status should submit their completed "Residence-and-Tuition
Status Application" approximately 30-45 days in advance of the
term for which they are seeking a review of their residence status.
Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received;
failure to submit an application in a timely manner may delay the
review process.
The Office of the Provost's determination of residence classification
may be appealed to the Campus Residence Appeals Committee, and decisions
of the Campus Residence Appeals Committee may be appealed to the State
Residence Committee. A written statement of the appeals procedure
is provided to every applicant or student receiving an adverse decision
from the Office of the Provost.
