Education Tax Topics

Are Scholarships and Grants Taxable?

If you’ve received a scholarship, grant, or fellowship, congratulations! Here’s how these sources of income will affect your taxes.

Is my scholarship taxable income?

A scholarship is tax-free only if:

You are a candidate for a degree at an eligible educational institution
You use the scholarship to pay qualified educational expenses

What are qualified education expenses?

To remain tax-free, the income from scholarships must be used for these qualified education expenses:

Tuition and fees required to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution
Course-related expenses, such as fees, books, supplies and equipment that are required for the courses at the eligible educational institution
These items must be required of all students in your course of instruction

What are taxable expenses?

The fellowship stipend that is for your room and board, childcare, or transportation expenses are generally taxable. Any amounts paid for you to work, such as student teaching, are also considered taxable. Finally, any amounts leftover after covering tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for the program are taxable.

Your scholarship, grant, or fellowship money will be tax-free if you use it for qualified education expenses – like tuition, fees, books, supplies, or other necessary supplies and equipment – at an eligible institution.

Are grants taxable?

A grant is tax-free only if:

You are a candidate for a degree at an eligible educational institution, and
You use the grant to pay qualified educational expenses, and
The grant isn’t payment for time spent researching, testing, teaching, etc.

Are fellowships taxable?

A fellowship is tax-free only if:

You are a candidate for a degree at an eligible educational institution, and
You use the money awarded to pay qualified educational expenses, and
The fellowship isn’t payment for time spent researching, testing, teaching, etc.

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