My 1098T shows scholarships for $2887. This scholarship was for 2015 semester, but was not given until early January of 2016. How do I claim my 1098T properly?

[bammeh]

So, the $2887 was given for Spring 2016 semester (which actually started in December and all other payments were made in December 2015). However, the scholarships were not applied until early January 2016. Does this mean that I can check the box that says this was for a 2015 expense?

[KrisD · Accepted solution]

Yes.

That is what it means.

Your scholarship was posted in 2016, but it paid for classes that the school billed in 2015

[bammeh]

Thank you. It was confusing me because the charges were in 2015, yet the school was late sending out refunds so it showed that I got it in 2016, but was meant for Spring 2016 (which started in December of 2015).

[KrisD]

So confusing! Next year the school needs to report box 1, "what was received/paid", that might make things easier. (but remember, what they billed for Spring 2017 might not be on it, so you need to keep track of your expenses)

[bammeh]

Luckily, I graduated in July so Spring 2017 never happened! Haha. Thanks for all your help!