Yes the IRS decided that since they were listed on someone else's tax return and it helped by an average of $1200 for the filers they cannot get a thing. A lot of parents also were able to deduct $2500 from tuition and related fees along with the $1200 for listing them as a dependent and kept them on health insurance. But the system short changes the ones that fall in-between the cracks. Parents can make a choice choice though, if the child files as independent for 2020 they will get the stimulus being paid out now (although late). But in that case the parent loses the deduction and other benefits, which adds up to thousands for most, they could have done it differently for sure.