NYS Excelsior scholarships for 2017 are not incl in 1098-T box 5 as college says it is pending. Should the pending amt be incl as grants anyway to reduce the cr this yr?

[h-petrovs]

If I pick up tuition only and not include the scholarship that is pending, the education credit will be too high for 2017 and then will have to be paid back in another year.  Would you put the pending scholarship amount, which shows on the student record, in as a grant to reduce the net tuition for the credit?  1098-T's will not match what is being reported on the 1040 year over year.

[MarilynG · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can enter the pending scholarship amount to more accurately reflect the education expenses.  

The 1098-Ts are often incorrect, with Tuition and Scholarships crossing semesters, and are reported on different year 1098-Ts.

Just remember to make the adjustment next year to indicate that Scholarships/Grants were for prior year (screenshot).