What should I do about this (tax) dilemma?

My parents claimed me as a dependent under them in their tax returns. However we didn’t live together for most (9 out of 12 months) of 2009. Even now when we “live” together I’m at college and I barely ever go home and don’t even have any of my stuff in their house. They also don’t pay for anything of mine (not because they don’t want to, but they can’t.. I’ve actually been paying some of their bills). Now, I was filling out my taxes last night and I checked the box for being a dependent on someone else’s return. Needless to say I’m losing half of my return because I’m their dependent.

Is this fair? Can’t you only claim someone as a dependent if you are supplying half of their income (aka actually supporting them?). I’ve been supporting myself through everything (and it’s been absolute hell) – shouldn’t this money be mine and not theres? I’m not trying to be selfish, I just don’t think this is fair considering I’m really not a dependent under typical definition. Also does being a college student change this? (they also don’t give me money for school)

I’m really not trying to take money from my parents and I know some people will still look at it as “well they raised you, that cost a lot more” but I really need this money as much as they do.