When Are Scholarships Taxable?

Scholarships and grants are not often taxed. That's good news when the school of your dreams is giving you some financial aid, but you could end up having to pay something to the IRS, depending on how much you receive and how you spend it. Some scholarships are at least partially taxable.

How Taxes on Scholarships Work

Receiving a scholarship doesn't have to mean that someone wrote you or your school a big check to cover your tuition and fees. Schools typically "erase" what you owe for the year or for the semester when they award full scholarships themselves rather than receiving the funds from a third party. You effectively attend for free.

When it comes to paying taxes on scholarship money, there are a few rules to review before you're in the clear.

Where Are You Going to School?

The first qualifying rule for a tax-free scholarship involves where you'll be attending school. You must use the money to go to what the IRS refers to as an “eligible educational institution."

This means that the institution’s primary purpose is to provide post-secondary education and instruction. It has one or more established curricula and an enrolled student body. It maintains a facility dedicated to teaching.

Most schools fall under this definition, so you're most likely safe in assuming that yours is eligible. One easy rule of thumb is that the school qualifies if it participates in the U.S. Department of Education’s student aid program.

Don't assume that your school isn't eligible just because it doesn't appear on the Department of Education's list, though. Contact the school to be sure.

What Does Your Scholarship Pay For?

You must next determine how the scholarship funds will be used. The money can only be applied to “qualified educational expenses.” Otherwise, it's taxable.

Room and board aren't qualified education expenses, so a portion of your scholarship will be taxable if it were to pay for your tuition and fees and also provide for a roof over your head and meals. The IRS takes the position that the room-and-board portion represents income to you. You're spending the money on personal needs.

Tuition money spent on required equipment, books, and supplies is tax-free. "Required" means that your school or class instructor says that you must have these items to enroll in and attend a particular class. For example, you'd have to pay taxes on a portion of the scholarship if you were to use some of that money to purchase a new laptop that isn't required, even though you might use it for schooling.

The same goes for groceries, medical expenses, and insurance premiums. These costs aren't qualified either. It's also taxable income if you use any of the money for transportation purposes.

Did You Use All of the Scholarship Money?

Let's look at another example. What if a community organization were to give you a $10,000 scholarship, but the qualified expenses at the school you want to attend were only $8,500? That $1,500 balance would become taxable income to you.

Another example is that your entire scholarship would be tax-free if you were to receive $10,000 solely for tuition and fees, which would cost you $11,500 per year. Every dime of the scholarship would therefore go to qualified expenses, but you'd have to come up with $1,500 out of pocket for the remaining balance.

What About Grants?

Grants are intended to pay for a specific area of research or study. Pell Grants are an exception. They're need-based, helping students whose economic situation is so disadvantaged that they would not be able to attend college without this financial help. These sources of funding are not considered income, but they're taxable under some circumstances.

Money in Exchange for Services

Why you received the scholarship or grant is another critical factor. Was it because you were your high school’s star quarterback? That’s fine with the IRS. You can accept the money tax-free. The same holds true if you maintained such excellent grades that someone wanted to reward you for that with an academic scholarship.

If you receive money in exchange for providing services such as teaching, research, or even helping out in the admissions office, the money becomes taxable—at least the portion related to payment for your services does. You're working for it just as you would for wages. In fact, you might even receive a Form W-2 for the taxable portion related to services rendered.

The thing to watch out for here is whether you're awarded the scholarship only because you agree to do something in exchange for the money. Again, read the fine print. The entirety of most scholarships is not typically given in exchange for services rendered. One might offer an additional $1,500 or $2,000 if you perform a certain service or job.

This rule applies even if you don't have to begin performing the service until after you graduate. It could be taxable income if you'll eventually work for it. Your labor doesn't necessarily have to occur while you're enrolled.

Other Factors To Know About Taxes and Scholarships

Some factors won't automatically make your scholarship taxable, at least not by themselves and if you meet the other rules.

For example, it doesn't matter what entity or individual gives you the money. In fact, your grandparent can even avoid paying gift tax if they give the money directly to your school on your behalf.

Scholarships awarded by the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program or the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program are exempt from the rule regarding services provided by you in exchange for the money.

Payments received under the G.I. Bill aren't considered to be scholarships or taxable income, either. You won't have to pay taxes on your scholarship if you attend school in another country. You must meet all the other criteria, however.

Student loans aren't taxable and do not constitute income. You have to pay that money back.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)