Engaged: how do I fill out FAFSA

They are not going to necessarily make her independent for institutional aid because she is married. If they have a 0 EFC, they are going to automatically prompt a low income verification, which they will have to show how they live and eat day to day because they are not self sufficient. How will self sufficient will they be as high school seniors?

Unless OP gets married this summer and files independent on the FAFSA at the beginning of the school year and gets admitted as an independent student it will be a non-factor. Op cannot also be assured that husband will be independent for institutional aid.

It could get unnecessarily messy and complicated as the school basically can ask for any and everything before giving their own money. It is a cleaner, simpler and more straight forward process for op and her family going on her own.