@Belle315 I have a friend who believes the same thing. She stopped declaring her 19 year old daughter as a dependent on taxes last year; she thinks that it will make her daughter be independent for financial aid. She looked at me like I was crazy when I told her that her daughter would have to wait until 24 to be considered independent. I’m curious what the fallout will be when her daughter gets her financial aid award letter this spring from her college; I’m sure she will still be considered dependent and will be awarded a federal student loan, at the most. And my friend will be confused and probably livid.