Re: Emancipation After 18
Once you reach the age of majority, you are legally emancipated.
Emancipation of a minor is not meant to help you get more Federal money for college. It is meant for minor children who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in need of the relief from the disabilities of minority so they can enter into contracts to do things like take over the mortgage after their parents have died, and authorize medical treatment for their younger siblings. Emancipation, where it is available, is for minor children who find themselves supporting themselves (and sometimes younger siblings) 100% on their own, not for adults who don't need parental permission to work.
You can either work to supplement any financial aid you might be able to qualify for on your own, or you can delay matriculation until you reach the age of 24 (or you get married, whichever is sooner), at which point you are considered financially independent for the purposes of FAFSA. There's no law requiring you to go to college a single second before you're able to pay for it.