Education

Here are the differences:  Also see image about the feature "Learn More" on the screen.  

Books and Materials Required to be purchased from the school: 

If you were required to buy course-related books, supplies or equipment directly from your school to enroll or attend.

Books and Materials Not Required to be purchased from the school  

If you bought course-related books, supplies or equipment for the school, but were not required to buy them directly from your school. 

For example, books from Amazon will be considered as not required to be purchased from the school.  College Bookstore is considered as part of the college departments, therefore, if books are required to be purchased from them, it's is considered as required to be purchased from the school.  

If the book was custom made for a course/school and needed for the course, if it is not required to be purchased from the college bookstore, you would categorize it under not required to be purchased from the school ( even you choose to buy it from the college bookstore)

As far as the Activity and Lab fees, they are required by the school, if it's not included on the Form 1098-T, you can enter under Books and Materials Required to be purchased from the school. 

Other books and course-related- anything other than the first two categories.