You are REQUIRED to report taxable scholarship. Scholarships that pay for qualified educational expenses (QEE - tuition, fees, books and other required course materials) are tax free. Anything over QEE (e.g. room & board) is taxable.
Typically, if box 5 of the 1098-T exceeds box 1, the difference is taxable income. So, no, you cannot ignore your 1098-T.
But you are not required to enter it. The 1098-T is only an informational document. The numbers on it are not required to be entered onto your tax return. However receipt of a 1098-T frequently means you are either eligible for a tuition credit or deduction or possibly the student has taxable scholarship income.
You claim the tuition credit, or report scholarship income, based on your own financial records, not the 1098-T. But, entering the 1098-T is the easiest way to do so.
There is even a loop hole available to claim a tuition credit, when your QEE are paid by scholarship. You treat more of your scholarship as income, to free up QEE for the credit.
For details, see: https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/college-education/discussion/yes-that-is-a-tax-loophole-available-...
