Understanding Your 1098-T
Understanding the 1098-T Form
Box Descriptions:
Box 1: Qualified tuition and related expenses that have been paid - We report to the IRS the amount of qualified tuition expenses paid during the most recent calendar year (Jan 1 to Dec 31).
Box 2: Amounts billed for qualified tuition and related expenses. Not used.
Box 3: Change in reporting methods - Not used.
Box 4: Adjustments made for a prior year - This is for adjustments to qualified tuition and related expenses for any period prior to the beginning of the most recent calendar year.
Box 5: Scholarships or grants - This box shows the net amount of certain forms of educational assistance that were received or applied to your student account during the most recent calendar year, regardless of the quarter for which the funds originally were intended. Scholarships and grants may be paid directly to the student or may be in the form of direct tuition reductions. We like to think of this category as "free money" that does not need to be paid back.
- Grants and scholarships
- Fellowships, traineeships, and stipends
- Outside sponsored awards
- Third party billing arrangements
- Tuition / fee remissions
- Waivers and exemptions
Box 6: This is for adjustments to scholarships and grants that were granted anytime prior to the most recent calendar year.
Box 7: If this box is checked, then "payments received" in Box 1 includes "pre-paid fees". "Pre-paid" fees are those qualified tuition and related expenses paid during the most recent calendar year for the academic quarter that begins in the next year. It is common for a student to register, be billed, and pay tuition for Winter quarter (Jan - Mar) in November or December of the previous year.
Box 8: If this box is checked, then the student has enrolled at least half time for at least one quarter during the most recent calendar year.
Box 9: If this box is checked, then the student is a graduate student or in a credential program.
