Even though you're considered independent, for some strange reason, med schools and other health professions grad programs require parent info. if you want to be considered for all the possible loans, scholarships and grants available. Most of these are need-based. So, if you want to be considered for those, yes, you need your parents' signature on your institutional financial aid paperwork (ie, the applications sent out by the school itself). However, this will not affect your ability to get Stafford loans or anything like that.