I am applying to college but I don’t understand the meaning of one question. What is home state of record?

The state in which you have residency (qualify for in-state status.)

The question as stated on your colllege application is confusing, especially in the assumption it makes upon its applicants. So here’s my answer and I sincerely hope it helps. Home of record, as the military uses it means your state of legal residence, i.e. a state where you live now, or a state where you may be considered a state resident by state law, i.e. 6 months in the state. Colleges may and probably will use this to determine if you are charged “out of state” tuition fees.

Hope this helps, and best wishes for your future

For most people it is the state where you live.

There are some people where this is not the case. For example, when I was in HS, I lived in New Jersey. However, my father was in the Navy and his legal residence was Minnesota. Because of this, I could have claimed residency of Minnesota and gone to school there as a resident.

This is the state in which you are domiciled. Your home of record is where you lived when you enrolled. It is the place where you file your taxes, have bank accounts, and you intend to return to. It is the home address to which you always intend to return for prolonged periods. You can change your home of record by transferring your interest from one place to another.

The state in which you are a legal resident.

It is the state you live in. And you have records to prove it, like checks with your name and address or bills, etc.