Yep, FAFSA doesn't care how estranged you are from your parents, if you don't meet their "independence" tests which are as LL says, tough, they still count against you in the aid scoring.
One of the FAFSA outs is if you get a court order of emancipation, but I'm not aware of any court that will issue one to someone already an adult just to game the aid system.
Frankly, I think FAFSA should drop that down to 21. but it is what it is.

