<p>My understanding is that the student has to declare financial independence (not sure what that entails) and become an emancipated minor and not be included as a dependent on your parents’ tax return for 2 tax years before they enter college. So that means a Fall 2014 entering student would have to be financially independent and not living with you for all of 2012 and 2013. Essentially it means you have to dump them on the street for a few years during high school, not exactly the kind of thing we all are talking about in this thread. Google it and you will see it is practically impossible even when the kid really is on their own or has parents who refuse to help pay for college.
FAFSA says: until you are 24, or married, or military, provide your parents income for aid. </p>