Scholarships are a mix of earned income and unearned income. It is considered earned income for purposes of the $14,600 filing requirement of a single individual and the dependent standard deduction calculation (earned income + $400). It is not earned income for the 'kiddie tax' and other purposes (such as earned income credit). In your case you would have a higher standard deduction because of the taxable portion of your scholarship(s).
The rules for claiming a dependent for your parents can be reviewed at the link below.
- Who can I claim as my dependent?
- The key in your situation is that you must not have provided more than half of your own support.
- Note: Scholarships are not taken into account when determining whether you paid more than half of your own support. IRS Dependents, page 6-4
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