we have claimed our older kids until they were really on their own.
The last year has been odd with it all with stimulus money; we know several new college grads who claimed on their own to get that money for 2020. For federal financial aid, i don’t think you have a choice; i do think the parent info has to be included on the FAFSA for undergrad education even if the student has claimed dependent. I’m sure people will have many different, better and precise thoughts here though.