No, I don’t believe that is correct. Being “independent” for financial aid purposes has a very specific definition. You generally have to be 24 years old. There is a list of exceptions, like being married, a veteran, or an orphan, but none are things you can fake. Simply living financially independently from your parents does not make you an “independent” student.

If you are under 24 and don’t meet any of the exception conditions, you are a dependent student. Dependent students cannot become establish residency while they are in college. If you went to high school in another state and your parents still live there, or anywhere other than California, you are a nonresident.