Tuition Waivers and Community College Exceptions

If you believe that you qualify as a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes under the below community college exceptions or tuition waivers, you may apply for in-state resident status by submitting the appropriate forms to the Office of Enrollment and Student Success. Links to the forms and relevant resources are provided below.

Before applying for one of the below exceptions, we strongly recommend that you carefully review the Residency Determination Service Tuition Benefits webpage.

Special Rules and Benefits for students at North Carolina state colleges and universities

Emergency Worker Benefits

Pursuant to G.S. 115B-2(a), tuition waivers are available to the surviving spouse and children of a law enforcement officer (including sheriffs), firefighter, volunteer firefighter or rescue squad worker who was killed or permanently disabled as a direct result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty (including both active service and training for active duty). To receive this benefit, complete the Survivor of a Deceased or Permanently Disabled Law Enforcement & Emergency Worker Instruction Document (PDF) and provide the requested documentation.  All documentation must be completed and returned to Johnston Community College prior to start date of the semester.

Exceptions allowing a student in-state tuition ONLY at the North Carolina Community Colleges

Business Sponsorship

Pursuant to G.S. 115D-39, when a North Carolina employer (other than the armed services) pays tuition for an employee to attend a North Carolina community college, the employer shall be charged the in-state tuition rate.  To qualify, the sponsoring business must provide the proper documentation as outlined in the Business Sponsorship Instruction Document (PDF) by the payment deadline for the sponsored student.

Nonprofit Sponsorship

Pursuant to G.S. 115D-39(c), a nonprofit charitable or religious corporation or civil league may sponsor a person lawfully admitted to the United States and living in this state who attends a community college. In this case, the nonprofit charitable or religious corporation will pay the in-state tuition rate on behalf of the student that is a member for one year. The sponsoring entity must provide the proper documentation as outlined in the Nonprofit Sponsorship Instruction Document (PDF) by the payment deadline for the sponsored student.

Veterans of the Armed Forces and Their Families

Pursuant to G.S. 116-143.3A certain veterans and other individuals who do not meet the North Carolina state residency requirements defined under G.S. 116-143.1 may receive in-state tuition as a recipient of federal education benefits under 38 USC Chapters 30, 31, 33, or 35*.

A veteran, as defined by G.S. 116-143.3A(a)(3), is 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, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and who was discharged or released from such service.

A veteran may qualify if he or she meets all the following criteria:

  • The veteran lives in North Carolina and applies for admission to a North Carolina institution of higher education.
  • Enrolls after the veteran’s discharge or release from the Armed Forces, the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  • The veteran, or eligible covered individual, qualifies for, and uses, educational benefits pursuant to 38 USC Chapters 30, 31, 33, or 35*.
  • The veteran provides the institution of higher education at which the veteran intends to enroll a letter of intent to establish residence in North Carolina.

A covered individual under this provision is defined as:

  • A Veteran who lives in the state in which the Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) is located (regardless of formal state of residence) following discharge from a period of active-duty service of 90 days or more.
  • A spouse or dependent child of a Veteran using transferred benefits who lives in the state in which the institution is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school after the transferor’s discharge from a period of active-duty service of 90 days or more.
  • A spouse or child of active-duty member using transferred benefits who lives in the state in which the (IHL) is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
  • A spouse or child using benefits under the Fry Scholarship who lives in the state in which the IHL is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and the person qualifies for admission to the institution of higher education as defined in G.S. 116-143.1(a)(3) and enrolls in the institution of higher education.
  • The person is the recipient of transferred federal educational benefits pursuant to
    38 USC Chapters 30, 31, 33, or 35*.
  • The person’s abode is in North Carolina.
  • The person provides the institution of higher education at which the person intends to enroll a letter of intent to establish residence in North Carolina.

*Chapter 35 VA benefits eligible for academic terms
beginning on or after August 1, 2022.

IMPORTANT

Be sure your application and all of the supporting documentation is submitted at one time before the beginning of the current semester. Completed applications will be reviewed within 3-5 business days. Do not submit your instruction document if all of your supporting documentation is not yet available.

Submitted documents will not be returned to the student. If a student desires to be considered for reclassification after a previous classification denial, a new instruction document with supporting documentation must be completed.

All questions regarding your application can be directed to the Office of Enrollment and Student Success at (919) 209-2128.