Amends GS 115D-39, which requires the State Board of Community Colleges (State Board) to fix and regulate all tuition and fees charged to students applying to or attending any community college institution. Eliminates all provisions regarding the determination of eligibility for qualification for in-State tuition. Instead, requires the State Board to determine eligibility for individuals to qualify as a resident for tuition purposes and to be charged the in-State tuition rate. Directs the State Board to adopt rules for eligibility for in-State qualification for tuition purposes and to be charged the in-State tuition rate that incorporate federal law requirements. Changes a statutory cross-reference provided for armed services. 

Adds to the duties of the State Board in GS 116-11 to determine eligibility for individuals to qualify as a resident for tuition purposes and to be charged the in-State tuition rate, and adopt rules for eligibility that incorporate federal law requirements. 

Repeals the following statutes related to in-State tuition eligibility: GS 116-143.1 (Provisions for determining resident status for tuition purposes); GS 116-143.3 (Tuition of Armed Forces personnel and their dependents); and GS 116-143.3A (Waiver of 12-month residency requirement for certain veterans and other individuals).

Further amends GS 116-11 relating to information exchange, revising the definition for institutions of higher education to include constituent institutions of UNC and the community colleges under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Community Colleges (replacing public higher education institutions, cross referenced to GS 116-143.1, now repealed). 

Amends GS 116-235, regarding admission to the NC School of Science and Math, to require the applicant to be either deemed a resident for tuition purposes or a student whose parent is an active duty member of the Armed Forces. Amends GS 116-235 (regarding the NC School of Science and Math) and GS 116-280 (regarding need-based scholarships for students attending private institutions of higher education) to change the statutory cross-reference for the defined term Armed Forces. Further amends GS 116-280 to change the statutory cross-reference for the defined term veteran. 

Makes conforming changes to eliminate references to GS 116-143.1 and GS 116-143.3, as repealed: GS 116-143.4; GS 116-201; GS 116-235; and GS 116-280; and GS 116-281. Makes technical changes to GS 116-201 and GS 116-281.

Appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors (BOG) for 2021-22 to be used in collaboration with the State Board to conduct a study to identify potential student populations that can benefit from a change in residency status to allow students to qualify as residents for tuition purposes and to be charged the in-State tuition rate, and the impact a change in residency status for those students would have on reaching the postsecondary achievement goal. 

Directs the BOG and the State Board to jointly report to the specified NCGA committee on the results of the study and the rules adopted by each on the eligibility of individuals to qualify as a resident for tuition purposes and to be charged the in-State tuition rate for the 2022-23 academic year. 

Effective July 1, 2021, and applies beginning with the 2022-23 academic year.