Just enter the 1098-T. When you don't enter any other educational info, TurboTax (TT) will automatically treat the difference ($1557 in your case) as taxable income. It goes on line 1 of form 1040 (added to any wages you have) with the notation SCH.
Although it is entered on line 1, it is not earned income (except for calculating a dependent's standard deduction) and cannot get you the EIC and other earned income benefits
You say "I have been reading online that I don't actually have to file the form if I know the difference between box 1 and 5, which is $1,557." Those were older posts and TT online can't do it that way anymore.
