[Joan.of.the.Arch]

If your parents are claiming you as a dependent, then your FAFSA application reflects their income. You might get financial aid (or more financial aid) if you apply based soley on your own income, not at all on theirs. That would only be fair since they really aren't supporting you at all anyway.

I have to wonder if you are not actually participating in something illegal to allow them to claim you as a dependent, when you really are not one.

I agree that getting out of the house for stated periods of time could give some relief to your hosts and maybe to yourselves. I've taken in adult relatives three different times, and yes, the privacy loss was very hard.