I would start researching Dependency Override here, especially with documented abuse and not living with them any longer. It is rare and very hard to get, but we did it with my foster son. He files his FAFSA with only his own income (and it gets kicked back and he has to talk every year to the financial folks at his college). This is only for legitimately document situations, you can’t pull fast ones, but it makes you eligible for Pell Grant money and usually whatever grant your state offers for lower incomes.