What year was that?
Yes, there are some circumstances where a student would be independent while still now residing with parents…but the circumstances why are not things most families want to have happen to them. Child in foster care for a period of time, undergrad student married or the parent of a dependent they support. But then again…someone could be in the armed forces from 18-21 and then be a veteran which would also make them independent for financial aid purposes.
But really…these are the exceptions, not the rule. The vast majority of undergrad college students are dependent for financial aid purposes.