Proving State of Residence for College as a Military Family

As a current high school junior, my family is part of the military so we move around a lot. Not sure about how to prove my state of residence when applying for college. How do colleges handle this? Anybody else in a similar situation who can share their experiences?

One thing to understand is that each college has its own policy on how they determine the state of residence for military families. Some colleges use the home of record, others use the state of your parents' legal residence, and others may use your last place of residence prior to college. Therefore, it's crucial to reach out to each college's admissions office where you intend to apply and get clarification on their specific policy.

As for proving your state of residence, it typically involves providing some documentation. This could mean providing a copy of your parent's Leave and Earnings Statement (indicating state of legal residence), your high school transcripts if you've attended high school in that state, or even utility bills and housing leases to prove extended stay. But again, each college can have different requirements, so it's essential to ask them directly.

One thing to remember is the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission which aims to make transitioning easier for military children. It stipulates that a child of a military family should be allowed to continue his or her education unhindered, regardless of frequent relocations. While this doesn't directly affect college admissions, it speaks volumes of the understanding that is there for military families.

Your situation is not unique and there are systems in place to help military families navigate the complexities of college admissions and residency requirements. You're not the only one going through this, and many colleges are accustomed to handling such cases and will provide you with the necessary assistance. Good luck in your college applications, and thank you to your family for their service.