Residency and Financial Aid requirements (Chapel Hill: chapel, transfer, school)

[coolone6722]

Hello Everyone,

I'd like to know if there is a residency requirement for a student to meet a NC residency requirement in order to receive a financial aid grants such as Pell, SEOG?
Also, how would someone transfer their out of state drivers license to a NC license?

Thanks,
Michelle

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by coolone6722

Hello Everyone,

I'd like to know if there is a residency requirement for a student to meet a NC residency requirement in order to receive a financial aid grants such as Pell, SEOG?
Also, how would someone transfer their out of state drivers license to a NC license?

Thanks,
Michelle

First of all, you don't "transfer" your drivers license in any state that I know of. You move to NC and when you have a local address you go to the DMV and apply for a state license. There will a written test, and bring cash - they don't accept checks.

As far as residency - grants are FEDERAL programs, you can get them no matter what state you live in. What you CAN'T get is state residency for one year after moving to NC. Meaning you will pay out of state tuition rates for at least a year after moving here no matter which college you attend.

[coolone6722]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

First of all, you don't "transfer" your drivers license in any state that I know of. You move to NC and when you have a local address you go to the DMV and apply for a state license. There will a written test, and bring cash - they don't accept checks.

As far as residency - grants are FEDERAL programs, you can get them no matter what state you live in. What you CAN'T get is state residency for one year after moving to NC. Meaning you will pay out of state tuition rates for at least a year after moving here no matter which college you attend.

Thanks for the reply.

[uncharch7]

On top of what OP said, you have to prove that you're in NC for something other than school. It's a long, difficult process, I won my appeal after 3 years of being here.

[coped]

Originally Posted by uncharch7

On top of what OP said, you have to prove that you're in NC for something other than school. It's a long, difficult process, I won my appeal after 3 years of being here.

Yes. If you are concerned about affording out of state tuition. Try to work in state for a year before enrolling in school. Because once you enroll as an out-of-state undergrad, it is extremely hard to get in-state status. Grad school is a bit more lax. One year of your time is worth the $12,000-plus per year you will save as an in-state student.

[MysteryMT]

Here's a link to the information provided by UNC:

NC residency - The Graduate School at UNC-Chapel Hill

I would imagine that the process should be fairly standardized regardless of where you'll be attending.

I've got a friend going through this process now. She was initially rejected last year. She's lived in the state for 3 years now attending grad school and working in their labs. From my limited understanding of the process, it seems like a lot of red tape.