early 401k withdrawal for school project

[edsmith232]

My son attended an early college STEM high school. For his senior project (for a grade) we took money out of my 401k. The class was not a dual credit class, but was required to graduate. Can I claim the withdrawal as being for higher education?

[macuser_22]

No.   Only IRA's allow an exemption from the early distribution *penalty*, not the tax, for education.  401(k) distributions do not have an educational exemption.

[edsmith232]

Thanks. I went back to my papers, and i have a simple IRA, not a 401k.

[macuser_22]

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@edsmith232 wrote:

Thanks. I went back to my papers, and i have a simple IRA, not a 401k.

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It would not qualify;

Per the IRS in Pub 590B

Eligible educational institution.

This is any college, university, vocational school, or other postsecondary educational institution eligible to participate in the student aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. It includes virtually all accredited, public, nonprofit, and proprietary (privately owned profit-making) postsecondary institutions. The educational institution should be able to tell you if it is an eligible educational institution.