>> fathers income HAD to be included in my application even though he didn't contribute anything to me and my mother was on disability, they were divorced and I hadn't seem him in years.

I don't know how that works in US, but in my country you can sue your parent for child support payments until you reach the age of 26, if you are still in college. I mean: you sue them on your own behalf, since you're adult, the other parent does not need to participate.