The General Statutes of the State of North Carolina govern the determination of who qualifies for in-state tuition rates. The determination is made by the Registrar's Office at Appalachian State University, according to the N.C. General Statutes, based on the information supplied by the applicant on his/her application. Applicants are notified via their letter of admission of the determination. Questions regarding residency should be directed, via email, to the University Residency Officer in the Registrar's Office.

Applicants should be aware that residency for tuition purposes, as outlined by the law that governs it, differs somewhat from what is typically thought of as residency. A brief overview of qualifications and the determination process along with The Residency Manual, are available on the Registrar's Website. Failure to provide complete, accurate information on the application for admission may lead to an erroneous determination of residency for tuition purposes; thus, applicants are encouraged to answer all application questions related to residency. Certain applicants such as teachers in North Carolina's public schools and active duty military personnel (as well as their qualified dependents) may qualify for in-state or military tuition rates even though they have been determined initially to be non-resident for tuition purposes. Individuals who believe they are entitled to these benefits should visit the Registrar's Webpage "Determining Residency for the Purposes of Tuition" for complete information and access to the related forms.

Should any applicant believe that an error has been made in his or her determination, a process is available for appealing the determination. For detailed information on residency for tuition purposes, access to the "appeal" form (Residence and Tuition Status Application Form), deadlines for appealing the determination, as well as access to the "military tuition benefit" form please visit the Registrar's Webpage "Determining Residency for the Purposes of Tuition."