<p>^^ so true. This whole financial aid process has made me realize that if they are stingy with money, it’s at least partially because they do not have it to give to people. If everyone could just declare themselves independent or claim their parents won’t pay anything, no one would pay anything and the money well would run dry very quickly. I can attest that it is frustrating to not have all the funds to pay the full sticker price, but I think we also have to remember that loans are not necessarily a terrible thing. If nothing else, they are at least that extra motivation to keep you going through college. Sometimes the least successful people are the ones that didn’t have to work for any of it. But that’s just my conjecture. :)</p>