State tax filing

He is not eligible for the AOTC since he is in med school he would be past his 4th year in school, so he will not benefit from entering his 1098-T.

If he ONLY made $1,500 for the entire year from all sources then he is under the filing threshold for CA so he would not need to file a tax return for CA. 

For Michigan, if his income was $1,500 or less than he does not need to file. Michigan filing requirements are as follows:

• "If your parents (or someone else) can claim you as a dependent on their return and your AGI is $1,500 or less if single or married filing separately or $3,000 or less if filing a joint return, you do not need to file a return unless you are claiming a refund of withholding"http://www.michigan.gov/documents/taxes/MI-1040_Instruction_Book_609085_7.pdf

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2017-California-Tax-Rates-and-Exemptions.shtml#ifr

[Edited 3/10/2018 2:34PM EST]