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N.C. Residency Determination

Attention Students

Effective Spring 2021, per State requirements, Methodist University is required to observe a deadline of no more than 45 days after the term start date for students to complete the Residency Determination Service (RDS). Students who have not had their residency determined with an effective date no more than 45 days after the start of the term will not be eligible for state grants for that term.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Maximum Student Aid Index (SAI) = $15,000 for 2025-2026
  2. Maximum Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) = $160,000 regardless of SAI
  3. Student must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours to receive a portion of North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship (NCNBS). The award amount is determined by the state of North Carolina.
  4. Be a bona fide resident of North Carolina; complete the Residency Determination
  5. Must have maintained Satisfactory Academic Progress
  6. NCNBS must be funded by College Foundation of North Carolina. Eligibility amounts change yearly. Visit College Foundation of North Carolina for up to date yearly maximums and more information on the NCNBS. Effective Fall 2025, North Carolina updated the NCNBS award calculation. Students with Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) exceeding 500% may receive a reduced award from North Carolina.
  7. Methodist University is required to identify and report to College Foundation any “lower cost” programs. A ‘lower cost” program assesses tuition and fees at a reduced rate for students enrolled compared with the full-time tuition and fees enrolled in traditional programs at Methodist University. Lower cost programs are all online and extended campus undergraduate programs. Full-time students enrolled in “lower cost” programs could be eligible for up to $1,100 per semester. Award amount is determined by the state of North Carolina.

Veterans & Active-Duty Military

The General Assembly increased funding for the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship (NCNBS) and made it easier for veterans and active duty military members who are not classified as legal residents of North Carolina to become eligible for the scholarship. The changes went into effect in the 2018-19 academic year. Students must be undergraduate, working towards their first bachelor’s degree, and must meet all other established criteria for the NCNBS, including the AGI cap. A student with an AGI of $160,000 or greater is not eligible for the scholarship, regardless of the SAI.

Veterans

Student Eligibility

Veterans may qualify for the NCNBS without establishing residency for a year as normally required under the laws determining residency if they have:

  • Met the definition of “Veteran” in G.S. 116-143.3A as a person who served active duty for not less than 90 days in the Armed Forces, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and who was discharged or released from such service;
  • Were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable;
  • Have an “abode” in North Carolina; and
  • Provide the school with a letter of intent to establish residency in North Carolina.

School’s Verification of Eligibility

Documentation must be submitted to Methodist University, which is required for audit purposes. To document and verify eligibility, the student must submit:

  • A copy of the student’s DD214 (the VA Certifying Official at your school may have a copy) documenting service in the armed forces; OR
  • A PHS Form 1867 Statement of Service for students who served in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service; OR
  • A NOAA Form 56-16 for students who served in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; AND
  • A letter of intent to establish residency in North Carolina signed by the student. A letter of intent template can be found at this link.

Veteran students can use this link to submit documentation for residency determination.