Helping you plan, apply, and pay for college

1. Helping you plan, apply, and pay for college Spanish Services Webinar Series: Presented By: Shannon Byers, RDS Program Manager

2. Background • RDS is a centralized process for determining residency for the purposes of in-state tuition and State-funded financial aid • The creation of RDS added a third step to the admission process: • RDS • Admission Application • FAFSA

3. Purpose - Consistency • Students use one residency determination to seek in-state tuition to North Carolina public schools and to establish eligibility for in state financial aid at all North Carolina schools. • All undergraduate and graduate programs are implemented and using RDS • The administrative authority for RDS is the State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) and is operated by College Foundation

4. RDS and Campuses • Students complete a standardized online interview accessible from campus admission applications, CFNC, and directly on the RDS website. • Students receive a Residency Certification Number (RCN) immediately following completion of the online interview • Students use the RCN when applying to NC colleges and universities

5. Residency Certification Number

6. Student Experience

7. RDS Processes • Initial Consideration • Reconsideration • RDS Appeal (Level 1) • SEAA Appeal (Level 2) There are four different RDS processes. Students do NOT need to complete all four processes. 88% of students have been complete with RDS at this point 12% of students have completed a combination of a Reconsideration and/or RDS Appeal 0.00005% (44) of students have completed an SEAA Appeal

8. What information do I need? Because each family’s situation is different, the online interview will ask different information of each student. For example, your family may not own a car. Therefore, RDS may ask then if you are registered to vote in NC. The goal of the online interview is to identify acts which demonstrate North Carolina is the true home for you and your family. RDS recommends completing RDS with your parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and not on your own.

9. What information do I need?

10. Student Notifications • Students will receive email and text reminders (students must opt-in to receive the texts) • In-Progress Applications • Day 8, Day 15, Day 24 • If student does not complete within 25 days, student can start over with the exception of an RDS Appeal • Documentation Deadlines • Day 8, Day 15, Day 24 • Student can log back in at any time to submit the documentation • Can be uploaded, faxed, or mailed

11. Submitting Documentation You can upload, fax, or mail your documentation. Uploading is the easiest way to submit documents. Simply take a picture of the document and upload it using the online tool. 25 Days to submit documentation

12. Reconsideration/RDS Appeal I do not agree with the classification – what can we do next? To start a Reconsideration or RDS Appeal, log back in to RDS and click the Reconsideration/Appeal button on the main screen

13. Why complete a Reconsideration? • Initial Consideration • Reconsideration • RDS Appeal (Level 1) • SEAA Appeal (Level 2) Reconsideration provides students a second try at the online interview. Complete a reconsideration ifany of the following apply: • Missed the 10 day deadline to request an appeal • Missed the 25 day deadline to submit documentation • Did not supply correct or complete information in the initial consideration • Had a change since the original residency request (example – has now lived in NC 12 months) • A Reconsideration can be completed at any time

14. Why complete an Appeal? • Initial Consideration • Reconsideration • RDS Appeal (Level 1) • SEAA Appeal (Level 2) • RDS Appeal process is for students who may need to provide additional information and documentation to their claim of residency or prefer not to supply information in the online interview. • Students work one-on-one with an RDS Appeal Specialist to review their residency request. • Students have 10 days to submit a notification to appeal; 25 days to complete the appeal.

15. Common Scenarios

16. Residency Law & Policy • Must be domiciled in North Carolina at least 12 months • Residency is based on the parent’s domicile unless the student can prove otherwise • Non-US citizens with certain visa and immigration statuses are eligible for in-state tuition and state financial aid; DACA and undocumented students are not eligible • Students classified as McKinney-Vento are not automatically considered residents for tuition and state aid purposes

17. Prima Facie • Residency is based on the parent’s domicile unless the student can prove otherwise • Non-Legal guardians cannot be considered – must be a legal court-appointed guardian to be considered • 5 Year Rule is generally used • Unique identifier is requested on parent for electronic validation – if parent chooses not to provide, or does not have, student can submit appeal.

18. DACA and Undocumented Students • DACA and undocumented students are, by law, not NC Residents for tuition purposes • Select No to the first question in the interview “Do you claim residency”

19. Citizen Student with Undocumented Parents • Student citizens with undocumented parents ARE eligible for residency for tuition and state aid purposes • Residency for dependent student is, by law, based on parent(s) information. If parent does not want to provide (or cannot provide) information in the online interview student has opportunity to appeal • In an appeal the student is asked to provide information showing their parents live in NC. Information on parent citizenship is NOT requested. The goal is to connect the student – to the parent – to NC being the true family domicile.

20. Scenario Mario’s parents sent him to North Carolina to live with his aunt and uncle about three years ago to finish high school. Mario’s parents stayed in Mexico and signed a custodial agreement giving his aunt and uncle the ability to make medical and educational decisions. Is Mario eligible for NC residency?

21. Scenario Carmen is a 17 year old US Citizen but her parents do not want to provide any information to complete RDS. Will Carmen be eligible for residency?

22. Scenario Mariana has lived in North Carolina for 8 years with her family. She just received documentation approving her request for asylum. Will Mariana be eligible for residency?

23. Scenario Sara is 21 and recently married a US Citizen. Prior to marriage, she did not hold an eligible immigration status. Is she now eligible?

24. FAFSA and RDS

25. RDS Resources • RDS Web site – www.ncresidency.org • FAQs: What to Know • Resource one-pagers • RDS Guidebook • Student Help Line: 844.319.3640 • 3rd party release • Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM Monday – Thursday 8 AM – 5 PM Friday • Student Email: rdsinfo@ncresidency.org

26. RDS Resources Thank you for attending! The PowerPoint and survey will be emailed out to you within 48 hours. Recording will be made available soon on CFNC.org under “Resources/Videos.” Please join us for our other webinars in our series: • November 12, 3:30pm Policies and Opportunities for Latino/a Students in Various Non-US Statuses at NC Community Colleges • November 26, 3:30pm NC Community Colleges: Career Training & Higher Ed Options for All Students • December 11, 3:30pm “Sì Se Puede” Building Trust and Relationships