Can college students who were claimed as dependents that are now Independent get some kind of Covid relief?

yes... the ONLY thing that matters is the 2020 tax return; don't worry about past years. 

I assume you are a college student that graduated earlier this year and are now 'off the payroll'?

When you fill out your 2020 tax return, there is a 'settle up' section for the Stimulus (it's at the end of the Turbo tax interview process).  Assuming you are eligible, you will see $1800 on Line 30 which will increase your refund. 

No need to amend past year's returns - either your's or your parents'. For once, the IRS is making things easy! 

No need to amend 2019.  If you TRULY cannot be claimed as a dependent for 2020 then you file a 2020 return and it will be reconciled with the recovery rebate credit that will end up on line 30 of your Form 1040.

BUT----if you are still a full-time student and under the age of 24----be careful about saying you cannot be claimed as a dependent if your parents CAN claim you.  You do not have a choice.  If you CAN be claimed you are supposed to say so on your own return.  Do you meet the criteria to be a qualifying child for 2020?

WHO CAN I CLAIM AS A DEPENDENT?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiance (etc.) as a dependent on your 2019 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements:

Qualifying child

• They are related to you.

• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or   Mexican resident.

• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

• They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).

• No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children

  •      They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).

• They cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.

• They are not filing a joint return with their spouse.

• They lived with you the entire year.

• They made less than $4300  (not counting Social Security)

• You provided more than half of their financial support. More info

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them.

Related Information:

• Does a dependent have to live with me?

• What does "financially support another person" mean?

• Can I claim a newborn baby?

The stimulus check is an advance on a credit you can receive on your 2020 tax return.  If something went wrong or you did not get the stimulus check this year, you can get it when you file your 2020 return in early 2021—if you are eligible.It will end up on line 30 of your 2020 Form 1040.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payment-information-center-topic-j-reconciling-on-your-2020-tax-return

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments-for-individuals-and-families

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-will-the-stimulus-package-impact-me/00/1393859

We know that the IRS is already revising the 2020 Form 1040 to include the 2nd stimulus, but that change will entail a lot of re-programing at the IRS and for the tax software programs.  It may be at least a month — or longer— before the forms are changed.  Do NOT be in a hurry to file your 2020 tax return until more is known. Give some extra time to the IRS and the software programmers so that the software can handle the new 2nd stimulus, so that you can get it all by filing ONE time.   It is never a good idea to file early, and it would be especially foolish to file an early 2020 return.