<prompt> Human: So my parents claimed me as dependent on their taxes so that they could get the benefits. The problem is, I pay for my rent and I take out my own loans for college because they dont help me out at all. I think this might be causing me issues getting money from the FAFSA as well, because the government thinks my parents pay for over half of my income, when in reality they dont. What should I do in this situation? Edit: took out a sentence at the end because hella confusingEdit: I live in my own apartment, not with my parents. I pay my own rent and utilities and healthcare bills. I pay and take loans out in my own name when needed to pay for tuition for college. And no, I am not lying about any of this. Thank you everyone for the advice! Ill go ahead and try to talk to my parents again considering they pay nothing towards any of my living or college expenses.Also, Im a chick.  <response>: I was actually able to get independent status in the eyes of FAFSA when I was 21 because I proved I had been living independently for the last 5 years. It was a lot of paperwork and a lot of trying to convince people who assumed I was lying, but in the end it worked and I got the financial aid I deserved without my evil step father interfering. If you really truly are on our own 100 and have been for some time, speak with your financial aid department about what you have to do gain independent status. 