There are two definitions of earned income. Scholarships are not earned income for the purpose of the Earned Income Credit or being able to qualify for an IRA contribution.
Scholarships are earned income for the purpose of a dependent calculating his standard deduction and the "kiddie tax". If you properly enter the scholarships, TurboTax will make the distinction.
Although your description for what you did, for this money, makes a case for earned income, the fact that the stipend was reported on a 1098-T, rather than a W-2 or 1099-Misc, makes it difficult to report any other way.
