In California what qualifies as the primary residence for a college student?

[AmyC]

If the student is claimed by the parents, the parent's residence is still home. The student is a nonresident in CA for temporary purpose Otherwise, see Guidelines for Determining Resident Status (FTB Publication 1031) 

[Hal_Al]

An out of state college student is still a resident of the state he came from, in California and everywhere else (with very few exceptions). This is particularly true if he is still his parent's  dependent.