@gwgaston said "Decide that a $500 deduction will not help me that much, and for student grant considerations perhaps it is best to let him file and state that no one can claim him as a dependent."
You're not allowed to do that. There is a rule that says IF somebody else CAN claim him as a dependent, he is not allowed to claim himself. If he has sufficient income (usually more than $14,600), he can & should still file taxes. In TurboTax, he indicates that somebody else can claim him as a dependent, at the personal information section. TT will check that box on form 1040.
With the tax law change, effective 2018, most student-dependents will get the same refund whether they claim themselves or not. The personal exemption has been eliminated and the standard deduction increased. However, he only qualifies for an education credit or deduction, if he is not claimed as a dependent.
