In order to get more AOTC, if I include $2000 grant/scholarship as taxable income, Is this income earned income or unearned income? more specifically, will the student have to file tax return if students total income is $3500 work study + this $3000?

why I am asking this question is, if it is earned income, and the student is not required to file tax return, then his income is not considered in caculation of premium tax credit of health insurance by marketplace. if it is unearned income, the student's income is included in household income, then the extra AOTC may not be worth that decrease of PTC.