FAFSA app has 7 criterions one must meet in order to claim independent status. Most students parents raise them to be independent to handle their own college costs so the parent(s) can save for their retirement. It is so easy for the government to say its the parent’s responsibility to pay their child’s education; but the schools & the govt have a business relationship with each other in order to stick parents with even more debt for the sake of educating their children. As a parent, I taught my child to be financially responsible and independent because I have to also save for my retirement. At 18 years old, a child can apply for credit, rent apartments and apply for car loans. Why can’t the same child apply for school loans under FAFSA? Esp. under the circumstances the parent(s)saving for their retirement& not be dependent on their kids in their elder years. The DOE is such a joke because it appears to give grants to schools to help students only to issue $$$ loans and a $50 grant!