@DaveZ
It's not clear because the IRS has not made it clear. Your daughter may be both the recipient and the beneficiary, but you are still the owner.
All you're gonna get here is opinions, not facts. Most opinions are that it is parental support because the parent is the owner (and put the money in). That said, if you want to claim it as the student's own support, your case is helped by her being the recipient.
Bottom line: do what's best for you. If you end up being a test case, let us know how it comes out.
