Military Residency and Yellow Ribbon

At East Carolina, we want to make sure our military-affiliated students are setup for success from day one to graduation. That’s why East Carolina offers numerous tuition reclassification options for our military-affiliated students living in the state of North Carolina.

Residency for Active Duty Military Personnel & Dependents

Students who are active duty military and stationed in North Carolina (along with their spouses and dependents) will have the mandatory 365 day residency rule waived upon completion of the military waiver and submission of supporting documents. This will enable the student to receive the in-state tuition rate as long as they are continuously enrolled in their program. The student must be living in North Carolina by the first day of classes. This benefit does not extend to on-line programs when the student is not living in North Carolina by the first day of classes. This benefit includes “Armed Forces” described as the following: the United States Air Force, Army Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy, the North Carolina National Guard and any reserve component of the foregoing.

Any spouse or dependent relative of a member of the Armed Forces who is sharing the abode of that member shall be eligible to be charged the in-state tuition rate. The dependent relative shall be eligible as long as they maintain continuous enrollment.

Residency for Recipients of Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®) and Chapter 35 DEA

Veterans and dependents may qualify for in-state resident tuition rates after an initial classification of out-of-state by providing additional information through the Section 702 Veterans “Choice Act” & NC SB 257.

Under the Choice Act, a “covered individual” meets these qualifications:

• A Veteran, dependent of a veteran, or a spouse/child using benefits under the Chapter 30 (MGIB), Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®), Chapter 35 (Dependents Educational Assistance Benefit) or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship.
• “Lives” in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located, regardless of his/her formal state of residence.

PLEASE NOTE: An active duty service member or a Veteran under Section 702, not living in North Carolina is not a “covered individual” at this time. A dependent of an active duty or veteran however, may qualify provided they will be living in North Carolina on the first day of classes.

Reclassification Instructions

Step 1: Apply for residency with the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (NC-RDS):https://www.ncresidency.org/

Step 2: If you have been classified as an out-of-state student for tuition purposes and would like to seek reclassification for the in-state student resident rates under Section 702 of the Veterans “Choice Act,” you may do the following:

• Download and complete the appropriate application below:
  Active Duty or Veteran Residency Waiver Application
  Spouse or Dependent Residency Waiver Application

• Instructions for the active duty letter on military letterhead can be found here:
  Military Active Duty Affidavit Template

Step 3: Return the application, along with all required documentation, to Academic Services in the ECU Office of the Registrar via email, fax, mail or in person.

Residency Questions?

Questions about residency exceptions for military personnel and their dependents may be directed to:

Stephanie R. Stalls
Administrative Support Specialist
Office of the Registrar
252-328-6077
CAS@ecu.edu

Yellow Ribbon Program