Student filing independently this year, lived with my friend for 8 months of 2016. should i be applying for the trillium benefit or no?

Yes, if you lived in Ontario and had minimal income, you should apply and enter either rent or property taxes paid. 

okay but i didnt pay for rent or property tax while i was living in my friend's house, and obviously i personally didnt pay for rent while living with my parents either

You should still apply with no rent paid because you will receive the minimum payment.

okay, so just apply for trillium even if im not filling out a property tax or rent form?

Yes, but you will need to fill the rent part with zero payment. If TT won't allow zero $ input $1 as rent paid