One would think this is fairly obvious...
Clearly an independent status is advantageous from a financial aid standpoint. Do you think the government is going to give you a lucrative aid package when your parents are still financing your lifestyle/education?
All Health Profession students are required to submit parent income information on FAFSA regardless of dependency status so there is not much you can do if you are trying to hide your folk's hefty 6-figure income. And it doesn't matter if you have been financially independent for years. It sucks. But it's the way of the land since the early 90's with the Higher Education Act.
