scholarship question

<p>Ok, here's the deal:</p>

<p>I'm applying for quite a few outside scholarships. My parents are divorced; I haven't seen/spoken to my dad in almost 4 years. My mother makes about $20k a year, so I should be able to qualify for most of the need-based ones. However, a few scholarships want both parents' financial info, which will be extremely hard to get, if not impossible. I don't really even know how to get in touch with my dad; he's pretty much out of my life. He pays his child support/alimony, which really isn't too much and comes from Pennsylvania, and that's it. I have no idea how much he makes, although I expect it's around $70-80k at least, putting me way out of the qualifications for these need-based scholarships. But he's not going to pay anything for my college if he can help it. So, do you think I could leave out his tax records, seeing as how they're impossible to get and he wouldn't contribute to my education unless he was forced? Or should I just not apply for those?</p>

<p>By the way, I'm just trying to win enough to cover my fees, books, and personal expenses. I already have enough merit-based from my school to cover tuition, room, and board. But I figure my chances for winning are increased if I apply for more.</p>

<p>You'll have to explain it to the scholarship givers. They are familiar with children of divorced parents and can tell you how to handle that. They'll tell you what should be included in the calculations (child support, alimony or both). Depends.</p>