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Frequently Asked Tax Questions And Answers

Keyword: Grants


4.8 Interest/Dividends/Other Types of Income: Grants, Scholarships, Student Loans, Work Study

I received an academic scholarship that is designated to be used for tuition and books. Is this taxable?

Qualified scholarships and fellowships are treated as tax-free amounts if all of the following conditions are met:

  • You are a candidate for a degree at an educational institution,
  • Amounts you receive as a scholarship or fellowship are used for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the educational institution, or for books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction, and
  • The amounts received are not a payment for your services.
  • For additional information on Scholarship and Fellowship Grants, refer to Tax Topic 421, and Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education .

    References:

    Can I exclude any scholarship or grant from being taxed?

    If you received a scholarship or fellowship, all or part of it may be taxable, even if you did not receive a Form W-2. Generally, the entire amount is taxable if you are not a candidate for a degree.

    If you are a candidate for a degree, you generally can exclude from income that part of the grant used for:

  • Tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance, or
  • Fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for your courses.
  • Taxable scholarships are reported on line 7 of Form 1040 (PDF) or Form 1040A (PDF) or line 1 of Form 1040EZ (PDF). If you did not receive a Form W-2, please write "SCH" and the taxable amount to the left of the line.

    References:

    Can I exclude from taxable income the room and board portion of a grant or fellowship?

    No, you cannot exclude from income any part of the grant used for room and board. A scholarship generally is an amount paid for the benefit of a student at an educational institution to aid in the pursuit of studies. The student may be in either a graduate or an undergraduate program. A fellowship grant generally is an amount paid for the benefit of an individual to aid in the pursuit of study or research. Report this amount on line 7 Form 1040 (PDF) or Form 1040A (PDF) or line 1 of 1040EZ. If you did not receive a Form W-2, please write "SCH" and the dollar amount to the left of the line.

    References:

    Do I need to report income made as a work study student at my college?

    If you are enrolled in a state or local work-training program, payments you receive as compensation for services are wages and includable in gross income. Report these payments as wages on line 7 of Form 1040 (PDF) or Form 1040A (PDF) or line 1 of Form 1040EZ (PDF).

    References: