Does My Boyfriend's Parents Have Custody Of Him?

Currently taking place in Alabama.

My boyfriend is 20 and lives in a hostile environment right now. We're both currently in college and have found a nice apartment to move into. However, the other night a whole situation happened that involved the police to (hopefully) peacefully escort him and his things out. They told me though, that because they pay for his college tution, then they have custody of him... This doesn't sound right.

He is currently trapped with no phone or internet access, but we have a consensual plan to get him out after we leave classes for the day.

Do they actually have custody of him like they would a child?

EDIT: Thank you all for the advice!! We are very scared right now and it would be extremely harmful if he was made to go back to his parents house. I am much more confident with our plan to have our own home without legal repercussions. Again, thank you!!