The student needs to be fully financially independent from the parents. How many 18 year olds can afford to pay rent, utilities, car insurance, food, clothing, car costs like maintenance and gas, and ALL of their other living expenses…ALLof them. That is what INDEPENDENT from parents financially would entail.
Just finding a place to rent would be a financial challenge, especially in CA and HI.
And remember, that independent student’s income would be counted for financial aid purposes…and their parents too…
And the student income would need to be sufficient to show that all of the bills were being paid…by the student…for independent status.
And the parents can no longer declare you as a dependent for tax purposes.
What job is this 18 year old going to get that will pay them enough money to pay all of their bills?
Sorry, but I don’t think you learned the whole story.